cskent69

i would go for a single. Please count me in for 1.

Cool effect. Nice

Folks, I finally got my insert. So Ali came through. The one that I recieved is similar to the BK By-tor one. For me - the big noticeable difference is the number "22". On the rep insert - the tops of the 2's is a little bulbuous.

Sounds like none of our dealers are carrying this then. I guess I will continue to watch the ebay ones.

The Zigmeister, you are a glutton for punishment. Thank goodness. Incredible stuff.

Very nice stuff. Very nice indeed. I agree on the dials. You can tell the genuine one in a heartbeat.

Would this fit in a daytona or BCE?

BCE - I have one in mine.....

Sorry if this has been covered - but my searches did not yield anything. I seem to remember that the Breitling rubber strap has been repped. Certainly the ones on E_BAY for <$80 seem to be aftermarket. Can anyone say if these are fake and if any of our dealers carry them? Thanks a bunch

Here is the way that I see it - if you (or someone else) were willing to do all of the work in getting the right file created for a 111 ,etc and were to give it to Davidsen or Joshua for free - they would make it. It is the expertise in making the vector file for the litho that is the problem is my guess.

I have no idea if what you are suggesting would work. Given the amount of trouble that you are about to go through with this plan - I would imagine that the following might actually be easier.

If dials are made the way that I think that they are made - what is required is actually a very good Photoshop file of the correct dial that you want to make. If you could indeed create such a file, then I would give it to Davidsen or some of the other dealers and ask they they have their manufacturer make it. You could even take preorders from the forum here if you were willing to take on such a project to ensure that there is enough volume to actually ensure that it would make financial sense.

I for one - would go for such a dial in a heartbeat since every PAM save perhaps the new 089 has this problem. I think that the manufacturers simple are too lazy to actually fix this problem when what they make now sells just fine. One really has to identify the font that Panerai uses though. Many have stated they found it - by overlaying their image on the panerai logo - but i actually think that is is different on the dial.

Best of luck.

Interesting. He does not have any prices on his watches..

Ok - my pictures stink - but i was hoping to add to this great thread. Here's my Great White:

Watchmeisters Datewheel and Special The Zigmeister dial and hands re-do, correct pearl and insert

Genuine Crown and Tube, lugholes drilled, correct size springbars

helfhands crystal, flat

Hope it meets your tough standards!

Here, I'll volunteer the first photo for the vintage room, a 1675 with silver datewheel and flat "3" dating from 1964.

Is that a gen movement with gen datewheel in there?

2824 or 2892 i believe

It's NOT functional on these either.

Mine:

Very nice. I will post pictures of mine when i get home! Love this watch.

@rosnik - does the bracelet have solid or hollow midlinks (the MBW one)

Sorry - I just looked at your caseback off picture. It does not look like the HEV is working.

Sorry I do not know.

Now I'm moding the out side of the 1665, than I'll pass to the inner.

If you open up the case back - you should be able to see the HEV mechanism against the side of the case - if it is working. Let us know!

Rosnik,

Can you tell us if that HEV valve is real or just an etching on the side of the case?

Looks great and potentially working....

The metals are obviously different. But on another note - look at those "A"s in PANERAI. I can't stand that.

Is the gen tube smaller than the non-threaded hole? If not, you could always run a tap screw through it.

"best" questions are always difficult to answer because it always depends on what you are looking for. For me - the best rep is always the one with the most accurate dial - assumeing the other stuff can be fixed to be closer to the genuine.

Using that criteria - the best PAM's are:

1. The PAM 089 - this has the best "PANERAI" on the dial IMHO, and you can now get one without the missing tick mark at 9. However, this watch still has the wrong GMT hand.

2. The PAM 092 Ultimate Arktos. This is also very accurate.

But many will argue that the DSN's or the vintages are more correct. It all depends on what you are looking for.

BK.

The best aftermarket bracelet that I ever got was this one (no Rolex logos):

http://cgi.ebay.com/MENS-SS-OYSTER-WATCH-B...oQQcmdZViewItem

The bracelet (though incorrect with solid midlinks) was very well finished, smooth, no sharp edges. I was able to drill it out and fit rolex size endlinks through it.

One huge surprise was the endlinks. They had a different "holding" mechanism for the springbar. As we all know - the endlinks on the MBW bracelet are crap (those welded circle things). They can only be cut and still do not fit very well. Well - these endlinks are designed differently and can be adjusted to legitimately hold the Rolex size springbars. The ones that I have are labeled 455B similar to the ones that you have shown in your link. I can not see the part of the endlink in the picture that would show what type of springbar catch mechanism is designed into the endlink (it is the part of the endlink which is not shown) - but if these are the same (as they might be since they both say 455B) - you will not be disappointed. I will try to post a picture of mine. I can't find my camera at the moment. I know - that sounds lame - but it is true.

I ordered a GMT insert a little while back - nothing yet. While small in cost - I hope that i don't get screwed on it. He has also already asked for feedback - when I have not recieved anything yet!

The Zigmeister - that is a great watch. I know that I am going to have to replace my crown and tube as well soon. Could you PM me the tube part number from Ofrei so that i can order it?

Well i am a little confused about the post as well - but......

1. Nice new caseback on the 1665

2. Interesting that there seem to be different bezels...from Sub to seadweller

3. datewheel looks nice - not sure if accurate though.

4. Is that a working HE value on the SD?

5. No improvement to bracelet unfortunately.