projectologist

After almost a year of gathering parts, using parts for other projects, selling and trading, I focused on finishing the 111 to start off the New Year. I put the word out for the parts I needed and some major good-guy members helped me out I started out at almost square one with just a JF case sans bezel and case back. So here's the final parts list... JF bare case (not sure how I ended up with it... it's been in the box for a long time) refinished gen bezel from a member who also provided gen gaskets for the bezel and crystal gen crown tube along with O-rings gen case back EL crystal, all AR removed gen dial and hands gen movement T48 ss crown (aligned perfectly with the gen tube and cg without any modding) gen historic cg from a risti friend (see construction note below) Parts were acquired both through trade (my preferred method ) and purchase (my how the prices of rep parts have changed in the last couple of years ) I thought I had an issue with the cg as the lever wouldn't close down because it was too long to contact the crown properly. I really didn't want to file down a gen lever. So when I went over to a fellow member's place this past Sat. to pick up and install the xtal, I made a nice discovery. He was finishing up his 201a project (using the remaining gen 111 parts from the PAM we parted out) and was having trouble with his gen cg lever not being long enough. He was considering shimming up the inside of the crown to make up the difference. Just by chance we swapped cg's and amazingly both our problems were solved with no further modding required. Turns out Panerai doesn't always have a standard measurement when it comes to the little details. We took measurements of both and the length did noticeably vary. So I popped in an O-ring (case side inset area of the crown) and clamped her down. Perfect, plus the O-ring gives a nice spring loaded feel when opened and closed. Big thanks to my friend for having the right tools to help me with the final assembly. Hardest part was getting the stem length just right. Thankfully I only trashed one stem in the process. Total cost wasn't too bad, trading for some parts helped soften the blow as well as only paying the regular service price for the gen cg. Final touch was picking up some gen lug/strap screws at the local AD and mounting a 2nd generation Dirk strap I'd been saving. The 2nd gens can be had for 1/2 the cost of the originals as the strap was done by an unauthorized factory with the original buckles and stamps. The tell is the wraparound stitching in the area between the base of the buckle and the keeper. Some quickie phone pics for now...

Totally agree with you on this one... Panerai has made some bold moves (relative to Panerai) for 2010. I wouldn't change a single detail.

Yeah... with ETA announcing that they are not doing OEM movements anymore... not sure if Panerai will start decorating the 6497's in-house, out-source the finish work or just phase out the 6497 altogether.

The only one I could find until tomorrow...

I am quoting your post as I feel it illustrates very precisely important values that ALL members should consider before joining this community (or any other community, be it real or virtual). You state that English is not your first language, but despite that you have made very important points in a very clear and "to the point" manor. Your directness and honesty is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Part one's OP included the first pic below of the harvested JF case, FGD dial and gen pre-J cg. I was contemplating parking an E-series movement in it until I decided if another franken fiddy was going to happen or call it a day with a solid case back and a Swiss 6497-1 from Ofrei. I went ahead and ordered the 6497-1, but in the meantime a PAM 111e appeared ready for parting out... My friend got a smokin' deal on it, and I ended up with the case back, movement, dial and hands. So what's left to acquire... Gen bezel and gasket (on the way) Gen crown tube w/ o-rings (on the way) as the previous owner had removed it from the JF case before I acquired it (see pic attached) Crown and stem (T48 and 1.2mm stem on the way) Crystal (still looking) Gen lug/strap screws (on the way as most AD's have these in stock) I'll have a nice daily wearer for waaay less (thanks to a couple of great franken buddies) than the cost of a used gen PAM 111e with an incorrect, but my favorite, style cg. It's nice how everything fits and readily screws into the JF cases. Worth the search if you can hunt one down.

Yeah... this is the 4th time he's listed this watch. He started out at $4500 several months ago. I'm guessing by the middle of next week he'll settle for $3500. Previous posts he said the price was firm... I guess it wasn't.

I was going through my misc. parts boxes yesterday. Started to mix and match random pieces and have started to bring this one into focus. I decided I wasn't going after a specific model this time (really don't want to spend months sourcing the "correct" parts), but just combine my favorite ingredients... JF case (this one is a stripped down for parts carcass), historic cg (gen from 2006) and FGD dial and backplate. Might splurge and park a gen EFG movement in it until I start another fiddy project or just put in a reliable 6497-1 movement from Otto Frei along with a solid case back. Use some diamond paste to remove all AR from the crystal, source a bezel that fits and I'm done. Oh yeah, and I have a couple of T48 crowns coming in from T's blow-out sale. Really don't care about serial or OP #'s. Just want to end up with a no-stress project that looks nice and will make a great daily wearer. So far...

Beautifully realized. I especially like the gears left in place and visible. Verses an empty hole, I definitely prefer it the way you chose. All the parts come togehter in perfect balance. Plus your sentiments were well put... great post and pics!

My friend found that one FS in the Accessories Corner @ paneristi.

Started to get a little cabin fever over the Holiday break and gave my friend a call as I was headed in his direction this morning. Coffee and watches... bring some of your favorites. I forgot my camera but I think the iPhone did a pretty good job of back-up. PAM253 (San Dave Coach Bag strap) and PAM183 (ABP special tannings gator strap) Amazing strap in-person VDB Vintage Cali / 618 (Paolo18 ammo strap) 6152 (TC strap), PAM199 (Delaurian ammo strap), Breitling BlackSteel and PAM Arktos Red spots from Holiday lights... Old vs. New (PAM233 on Kevin/BigB ammo) Restored Rolex 618 movement Panerai's first in-house, manual wind 8-day movement PAM249 pic taken in parking lot... domed plex reflects everything in site VDB Vintage 6152 (TC strap)... amazing brown dial and aged hands Molnija movements do a pretty good job of completing the picture... Panerai Arktos (Panatime silicone strap)

180 to 360. Strips of sandpaper were glued to a flat surface and the cg was brushed in one direction only (NEVER go back and forth) using a strip of wood as a guide. The cg is laid on the sandpaper strip with the feet against the guide, pressing down on the cg with my thumb and forefinger drawing the cg towards me with even pressure. The guide is the key to having the brush strokes consistent and perfectly parallel to the case. The pin was flattened and polished by a machinist friend.

VERY well done... congratulations! What's your next project?

I spent a lot of time reworking the standard rep cg. Lever end (the part that contacts the crown) was rounded, then polished to reduce friction. AR was removed. Couple of more pics...

Thank you Senator!

Is Domi in Europe? Can you PM me more info about his work? Thanks!

It's being offered by Kevin/Adeeos (the strap maker that coined the phrase "ammo strap"). Pics of this watch have been posted in the rep forums before.

One that would be required if going for the 1:1 look. CG was rebrushed as well with progressive grits plus crown teeth edges sharpened and re-polished.

Needs to be flatter and more flush like this... (modded rep cg)

Crossed my mind more than once... get a beater 000/005 for 2800... sell the dial, get it DLC'd and slap in a FGD dial and have a nice non-matching 9B hybrid. Some more iPhone pics...

Then gen PAM127 comes with a polished CG pin.

Thankfully it didn't cost 10K (one of the rare cases where msrp is less than the secondary market price) and contrary to popular belief, official AD's NEVER charge a premium on a new release or re-release. Daily wearer so far or until the first inevitable ding

Yeah, my wife was real impressed... NOT!

Just picked up the 249 last week after 3 years on a waiting list. May or may not keep this strap (want to try a gator), but it's certainly a whole lot better than the strap that came with it. Also a macro to show how the lume is done... kind of a sandwich dial hybrid.