projectologist

It's going on a 6152/1 build I sold and am getting back. It has a gen T25 plexi (not the service version) and the kbiz/merlin699 dial. Still one of the best dials ever made.

I found my strap on Kostas' Facebook page. All of the current available straps FS are pictured there. They go fast, so check his page often.

Yes it's from Kostas, his 1:1 grail strap. He can't make anymore at the moment until he finds another hide of the same leather. Some of the PAM vintage watches on a exhibit at Harrods this month are mounted on these straps. A real honor for Kostas.

I've waited a long time before deciding to finally buy one of these straps... they don't come up FS very often. 27mm is the width OP used most often for their 6152/1's and most instruments worn when diving.

The clasp is the one that comes with the watch. I ordered mine from a TD at another forum, but many of the ones here at RWG carry them as well.

It feels as good as it looks. Does not feel cheap at all. Bottom line is I have no desire to upgrade to the OEM strap as I usually do with all of my reps.

Just noticed I still haven't set the time. Anyway I got a chance to grab some phone pics on a work break. No need to add anymore words other than it's a great looking version of the Volcano AND awesome QC! And one more pic taken in indoor light to see how the orange color looks (all the others taken in indirect sunlight outdoors).

Really impressive is an understatement. A couple of quick pics headed out the door to work... haven't set the time yet. I'll take more pics when I get back home and update this thread. One of the first things I noticed was the quality of the strap... really no need for the OEM (only speaking for myself). The other biggie for me is that the bezel screws are finally the right size. Thank you for that j12!!! On my 7.5" wrist for size reference...

See post #6

Messing with different lighting and my iPhone today...

New strap today... love the grain/texture

It seemed to be about the same amount of winds as a 6497, but you only have to wind every 3 to 4 days.

Definitely no AR...

I picked up the watch yesterday from a local member, but almost all of the dealers carry this watch and the 449. A little grainy, but I think this phone pic gives you a good idea just how nice and accurate the dial and hands are Although it doesn't look like it, lume application is perfect, just got a little wonky looking when I tried sharpening the pic with an in-phone edit.

Grabbed this gen pic example from an ad. Different lighting, so colors not the same but you can compare the "8" Gen... Rep...

Picked this one up this evening... love having a Rad on my wrist again Fit and finish is very good. The dial lume is accurate and although it's hard to show in a pic, they nailed the dark gray dial finish (not black like the 249 Cali dial). Plexi has the correct shape and distortion. Hands are accurate with clean edges, blue in some light, black in others just like OEM and with the proper sheen. All engravings are clean and the proper depth. Case shape is 98% accurate... now they need to do a proper 249!

Also check out viapaneristi.com

It's not a rare movement. They typically trade for $1400-1600. If you take into account the several years OP used the movement in their Luminor Marina models (111, 113, 177, 118 as a few examples), there are approximately 35,000 Panerai watches out there that can potentially be parted out with this exact movement.

I have no idea where you got your information, but starting with the addition of the 183 to the OP lineup in 2004, OP has always used the ETA6497-2 movement (as member w0lf stated above). Google "Panerai 183g" > Images, look at the movement pics, and you will have your answer.

When OP first came out with the 389, I didn't feel much love for it and didn't seek it out to try on. But at lunch today I got to try on the ZF version and was impressed. And bought it. Fit and finish is among the best I've seen on any rep. Well done little details are everywhere. They got the directional arrow on the anti-magnetic cover (turn and line it up with the crown and you can easily remove it). The QR buttons are nicely done too. They have a solid feel in use. Lume is good too, both application and charge. The movement finish has to be seen in-person to really appreciate how good it is. The date lines up dead center in the small window. What really sold it for me was how much more comfortable and balanced it is compared to how the 243 fit my wrist. The 389 does not feel as top heavy, nor does it want to slide as easily on my wrist like the 243 always did. Some pics from this afternoon... For size reference, my wrist measures 7.5"...

In the pics showing the dials, gen is on the left. In the movements pic the gen is on the right. The rep factory finally got the wire lugs right, they used to be a noticeable tell.

Yes, see his posts above, #5 and #7 that has the details.

A little more work on the Tudor... my first attempt at aging an insert.

Fading is not an issue. Today's inks are more stable than before, with many offering archival quality, same with paper. This is a hobby for me, so no selling. If you have a printer, you're already halfway there Here are some vintage dials I printed (from images found online). Hardest part is carefully cutting them out from the sheet. In the watch...

OK, I've posted this build before, but after I took some pics yesterday, I couldn't get over how nice this dial is considering it was printed with an inkjet printer. Artfully lumed by member Merlin... thank you my friend! You did an amazing job matching the hands too. Find a nice size image of your favorite dial (VRF is a great source), re-size it to fit your watch, then Print. Because it's glued to the backing plate, no warping. Think of the possibilities.