Pakz

Any idea if it's possible to replace the stock movement with a Swiss 6497 without any modifications?

I would really like to buy a 292k for long term and would like to get one with no movement issues.

I suppose so... The movement is "exactly the same" in terms of size, general architecture etc... So it wouldn't be a problem. The only thing is that some watches from the H Factory have "funny things" in the interior, like dial feet not in place, movement tabs not really long enough etc. So the movement swap could be more "interesting" than it really should.

You could also (for cheaper and with less problems finding it, plus quite a few have done that already... ) put in a ST36 from SeaGull. These can be had for less than $40 (at Getat's for example).

That's my plan... When the movement craps out, I'll get a high beat SeaGull (excellent movement, reliable and durable) and pop it in!

Indeed, the Asian "Unitas replica" movements are quite diverse...

First, the matter of whether they are 6497 or 6497-2, i.e. if they are low beat (18k beats per hour) or "high" beat (21.6k). The one in the H factory reps is low beat... Not correct as per the gen, I believe, but since the seconds hand is so small you don't notice any difference, really.

Then comes the problem of the assembly. OK the components are the same, more or less, but if the pivots are oiled correctly, if there's no dirt whatsoever in the movement, it will run better than if it's dirty, with not enough or too much oil. That depends on the factory where they were assembled, and even on the individual worker who did it. And the movements used by H factory, again are not on the good quality side of things, are not coming from Sea-Gull, the most renowned Chinese movement manufacturer.

Still, it come to the luck of the draw. You can perfectly have years of good ticking from a "bad movements", if it just happens to have no dirt where it matters and oil in right quantity. But again, the probability of having a watch DOA is higher, the probability of having the movement craping out on you in the first few weeks is higher, etc.

Thanks...

It's really a great looking watch... I only wish they had put in there a better movement... but for the money, it's still pretty amazing how much watch you get!

And the lume's very very nice too!

Living not too far from the Italian border, in a city where the Italian influence is quite perceivable... I've grown to like some of the style of the Italian luxury goods.

Pens and watches...

Nice looking stuff, ain't it?

Some more... without coral

Making sure that the lugs are correctly screwed on a connecting well trough their tube is one of the first things to do with a rad...

and after any change of straps, tugging a bit to make sure every thing's OK is a must...

Better have the lugs detach from the body in your office than in the street and cry!!

Is the case ceramic or steel case with pvd coating?

It's ceramic. Or it could be (but I don't think it is) ceramic coated steel, but not PVD.

That's very visible when looking at the back of the watch... The case back, crown and strap attaches are PVD steel, and the difference really stands out:

how much did you pay for the strap?

that's a great watch, i've been contemplating as possibly my first PAM rep. Would you recommend it? On a scale from 1 to 10 how does it compare with the Gen?

I paid $34.99 shipped for that strap, from their eBay shop.

As for the watch, it is very beautiful, extremely close to the gen... (look for differences/tells between my pics and the one posted by projectologist)... I'd say it's 9.5/10 in terms of being true to the gen.

However, the movement is supposed to be crappy... Mine works very well, so far, and keeps quite good time (gain 5/7 secs a day) but it feels not as rock solid as some other 6497 clones. It may well crap out rather soon, or be DOA... But a service on those is not very costly, and a good high beat SeaGull ST36 can be had for less than $40. Then it's just the matter of transplanting the movements... not something difficult for any watchsmith, or even amateur.

Gen lume looks the same in daylight, never as white as the hands...

Thanks for the info... I wasn't very sure about that... Some gen pics look very white, some quite similar to my rep... So now, it's clarified!

Nice watch!! Awesome pics!

May I know which dealer you purchase from?

Thanks!

I got it from Josh.

Great combination - good value from Bob as well

Like the shots and tha tobacco hue to the dial........

Thanks...

The "tobacco hue" on the dial actually isn't there... I think it's the slight golden hue of the (otherwise almost totally colourless) AR that gives that impression on some shots!

Well, on a broken piece of coral,

and her new(ish) shoes, a buffalo from BOB straps:

and the lume shot:

it's very bright, lasts fairly long... A C1+C3 mix that verges towards C3. Maybe not as white as we'd like in daylight, but very very efficient in the dark! Look at the second's hand to see how short that exposure was!!!

Sorry... Double thread... to be deleted...

I've got no clue on how to help H-factory rubbers...

But on some other reps that I've with rubber straps, just a "bath" in warm(ish) slightly soapy water, while maybe brushing the strap with an old tooth brush for removing the grime, worked wonder to "revive" a strap that was showing signs of going south... Without killing the vanilla smell, quite the opposit...

Im waiting for mine to arrive from Andrew and those straps looks great (specially the mustard one).

I have looked at BOB site but didn't see it - is it a BOB one?

Also what is the size I need for the 292 ? 26/22 ?

Thanks

Nope, the mustard strap is not a BOB (closest to that would be the "coconut")

And yep, size for all radiomir models is 26/22 (actually it's more 27/22)

Great pics, now who's watch/strap combo looks better, mine, or yours?

Mine obviously, as my strap is newer than yours by a very large margin !!

The mustard yellow with black stiching really makes the watch pop and stand out. It is suprisingly an awesome combo in person that my cell phone picture doesn't do justice.

Yeah, very lightly coloured straps seem to suit this watch very well (cf the JV and others). I'll certainly buy (soon?) a radiomir strap in light tones too...

Excellent, hope you like it, feel free to posts some pics!

Well, as I did forecast, both the strap and the 292k came in at the same time... And I'm very happy they did!

The strap that comes with the watch (the thick/pricier one) is nice but too thick and therefore a real pain to use. Plus, being shiny, it doesn't really complement the 292 head.

Nuff said, the "stock one" staid on the watch for approximately 2 minutes, then the bob-strap came into play. It looks great, feels great, and it's mat texture goes well with that of the ceramic!

So....

Pics!!!

I ordered one two days ago...

My 292K should be there tomorrow (or the day after, worse case, since it was released by the French Customs this morning), Germany not being to far away, the strap may well arrive at the same time!

So thanks again, Mickey Padge!

Niiiice

And those straps are all beautiful too.. I'm glad I've just ordered a Bob strap for my incoming 292K... I'll probably order some more if it is as nice as those!!!!!!!!

Right here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/WACCEX-SHOP

Thanks!!!

Which model and size was it (26/22mm, I suppose... and this model?).

It definitely looks great with that watch... I've just ordered my 292K, and suspect that I'll soon be hell bent on changing the strap... so I need to review my options here

bienvenue...bonne chance pour ton porte-monnaie...

Je plussoie...

Bienvenue et attention ces forums sont géniaux pour ne pas dépenser d'argent en vain... mais ils en font dépenser beaucoup trop !!!

Anyone got a pic of the gen movement for comparison?

So the rep:

and the gen:

or in a more "realistic view"

Today:

My my... a fellow joneser!

Today I wear that:

Let me put it this way...no I would not do more than wash my hands or get caught In a light rain.

Well, seems that recently the rep factories have seriously upped their ante... Some people actually snorkel with these babies and have no problems. I'm not that brave, so I'm not going to go bathing with my PO... but it might very survive the experience

Should be clockwise... unless I'm all mixed-up

The FT has a "Watches & Jewellery" supplement, now and then...

Bell & Ross advertises in there... So my rep BR02 finds company in there!