sssurfer

Never had ay doubt about it, Rob. You [are a] rock. Once you will notice a first sign of re-absorbing, it will go fast.

Surely the pic was retouched to make the dial full and deep black. The color (dropper) tool of Paint Shop Pro gives an RGB value of 0,0,0 (i.e. complete black) in any point of the dial. No way that a true camera shot can reach such a value other than on occasional points. Also, it was an extremely poor work, as the dial contour looks unnaturally sheer against the surrounding bezel inner. The retoucher should have used at least 2-3 more pixels for shading or feathering instead, in order to give it a more natural look. Considering the low skill of the retoucher, I bet that the L SWISS or T SWISS text, and possibly other text, also got lost in the retouch job. If I could examine the original pic rather than this resized pic maybe I might tell something more.

The finish looks extremely good to me. Also the loose lever fix is completely invisible so it is excellent, congrats! If I can add a suggestion... as your lever pins look not perfectly flush with the CG surface, I suppose they are a little too short... In this case, if you make them flush with the upper surface of the CG, sacrificing alignment with the back surface, you may achieve an even better look on the wrist.

Seagull ST-2530, aka TY-2530. 35 jewels, date @3, power reserve indicator @5, small seconds @9, quick date change pusher @8. 13 1/2 lignes (30.40mm) diameter x 7.40mm thickness. The ubiquitary movement found in all Chinese watches (including PAM reps) with PR @5. Precise, solid and reliable. Rumors are that it gets repped though (yes: reps of a Chinese movement), and the reps may be or may be not at the level of the genuine. Additional info here: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=67741 http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=74638 http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=53546 http://www.tjseagull.com/Product.asp?BigCl...T25%CF%B5%C1%D0 http://www.tractionink.com/watch_wiki/inde...Tianjin_Seagull

Back on topic, the Regatta models are the: 107 -- panda 156 -- gmt 168 -- chrono 199 -- submersible 222 -- power reserve 253 -- flyback -- 1950 case, two pushers, Reg TM crown guard, display back 286 -- rattrapante -- 1950 case, two pushers, Reg TM crown guard, display back The only ones with Reg TM crown guard are the latter twos.

Yes, the really really good 40mm reps like the 1st generation 048-049-050-051 are sold out now, and since a long time ago. Those who foresaw those were super PAM reps at the level of, e.g., PAM 027 and 028, got lucky. 2nd generations got sold out recently, even if they were not as good as 1st generation (main differences: the DW, and possibly the dial font). So I suppose that 90% of those offers are either fakes with 1st and 2nd generation pictures, or decent reps just not at the level of the old ones. Asking for real pics and details would not harm. If you select one, I can give you an opinion about it. On the other hand, power reserve 40mm were not produced a few years ago. Surely all them are powered with the ST 2530 movement, what alone makes them good watches, even if inaccurate as reps. As your GF was heading towards a homage watch, accuracy should be of no concern though.

So does it means you are not going to sell out your collection anymore? Joking naturally. Great news indeed!

Inquiring does not harm. These watches are declared as 40mm: http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Power-Reserve-40mm--30931986 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Luminor-Po...k-dial-59781831 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Pam-49-PAM49-PANER...J-40mm-63774676 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-luminor-ma...c-40mm-25554812 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Pam-168-Re...d-40mm-27586716 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Pam-060-Ch...p-40mm-31265031 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-LIMINOR-MA...-PAM49-29947411 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-LUMINOR-PO...PAM125-60216821 http://www.ioffer.com/i/LADIES-PANERAI-LUM...A-40MM-55733006 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Luminor-Po...-dial--52833226 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Pam-060-Ch...p-40mm-27586606 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-LUMINOR-PO...PAM125-30023246 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Daylight-s...o-find-33880961 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Luminor-Ma...-SIZE--33880336 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-LUMINOR-GM...-SIZE--33880551 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Luminor-Marina-40mm-63371016 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Pam-060-Ch...d-40mm-27586676 http://www.ioffer.com/i/LADIES-PANERAI-LUM...-CLASP-55731321 http://www.ioffer.com/i/LADIES-PANERAI-DAY...-CLASP-54800526 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-luminor-ma...c-40mm-59784281 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Pam-168-Re...t-40mm-31265586 http://www.ioffer.com/i/PANERAI-Pam-060-Ch...t-40mm-31265361 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Pam-49-PAM49-PANER...J-40mm-64917946 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Luminor-Po...-dial--64300116 http://www.ioffer.com/i/panerai-contempora...k-dial-64510586 http://www.ioffer.com/i/panerai-luminor-st...e-40mm-64515141 http://www.ioffer.com/i/OFFICINE-PNR-PAM04...YMENT--64928906 http://www.ioffer.com/i/Panerai-Luminor-Po...-40-mm-28065561 http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18955.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18952.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18949.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--11373.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18954.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18951.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18948.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18953.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18950.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--18757.html http://www.idolreplicas.com/panerai-lumino...tch--17471.html This is not declared as 40mm, but it looks as it is: http://www.timesshop.net/product.asp?id=599

I just would like to thanks you too, friends who posted after my latest reply. Everything I already said also goes to you. I am amazed and touched by the great support I received here from each one of you. Wife and I (me?) feel not so lonely anymore after reading your words. Btw, wife is sincerely surprised at such and so heartfelt response from a forum that she believed essentially "mechanical". She never participated here so she could not expect such a level of understanding and participation. Now you showed her that, even if we like hard, ticking, mechanical things so much, we are all but machine-oriented. And, even if I am frequent here, I have to say that I am touched as well. Thanks once again to everyone who left his words here.

Folks... no: fellows... no: friends, Thanks. Knowing that you understand is soothing. Even if I feel bad for your losses too. Damn, I can't read this thread without having tears running again down my cheecks. Now they are both from grief, and emotion on your words. Strange how they look identical... they even taste identically salted... still they are so different. Strange indeed. Some make my heart cold, others make it warm again. At least a little. But this is not little. This is the best I can ask for and hope these days. Really, our common ground is watches, but our home is so much more. Thanks, my friends. I tried to read and answer some watch posts. I think I'll try again. It seems the only way I have to slow these odd flowing salted drops from coming down. Thanks...

Narikaa uses to have them when he comes back from his trips to Far East. Just be sure to sign up for his email list, as they get sold out quickly, often before he posts his new sales on the forum.

OMG. My loss is 1/4 than yours and I already had your same thoughts to quit. Just wait a few days before starting to sell out your goods, don't take such a decision when you are still hot at it. Can the post office take it all so lightly? No liability about what THEY lost?

Absolute beauty. A rep making the gen turn pale.

Oh boys, huge indeed! Nice as well. Congrats, wear it well!

Thanks fellows (by wifey too), your kind words are a sooth indeed.

After a ten months daily fight against what could not be avoided, today I had to surrender and let my little friend go. Persisting obstinately to keep him here would have made him suffer. He is not the first one to leave, still he had been the first one to come, the one who uncorked the plenty we put up after. It was a cold december on the street and he asked to get took up in my arms. We have no children and these tiny, furry, fuzzy beings are those that we are able to love. Along the twelve years that followed, he proved a delightful cat and a faithful friend, almost dog-like but for his discretion and self-restraint. Just looking at him, or telling his name, was enough to make him purr. He loved me more than I love myself. He never damaged one single bit of our furnishing and home -- you cat lovers know what I mean. I now see that my poor English is completely inadequate to tell my feelings. How can I say? All cats, all pets, are special. He was very special to me. Addio Miciomacio, amico mio, I hope I am wrong and there is a place where you just rejoined that other kitty you liked so much, and you together are now running and playing and purring each other, and you know how much we loved both you too. We'll never forget you.

Nice! Try and put the black cloth above the watch in order to lessen reflections.

Rating it? As a rating scale I'll use money. 350-400 USD. Add 50-100 if superluminova lumed. Add 50 if you get the crown-case distance fixed.

I agree. Your main target are us, a bunch of obsessed with details rep lovers. Without the GPF engraving you are going to be left with 100 nice handcrafted buckles and/or 500 nice machine-made buckles.

Rob, this is most likely going to last a while, to then get to full recovery at amazing speed. Do not get discouraged because it is impressive and tiresome, you may count to get back as good as new. Sorry it happened to you (were you on aspirina or other anti-inflammatory drugs by chance)? My best wishes to the quickest recovery ever.

Great watch, nice strap, great shots, nice beach & sea! Congrats!

I suppose you will sell them all in the end. Try a "gauging interest" thread in the general section (to gain visibility) of the various forums, with frequent bumps as this is holiday time so it is not a very good time to get noticed. At that price, if they come out good, I would buy at least 3 even if I am no fan of pre-V buckles.

Yes, it is frenzy... madness... I am even afraid to count how many I have, they should be about fifteen. The good news is that I am beginning to feel I am almost done with buying new Pams. Since now and on I am "only" going to make them as perfect as possible. Another huge load of money as well, I suppose. I just jope they are not going to make decent Manifattura reps, or they will have me caught once again.

Ouch. Really sorry to hear that. This is the first time I hear Davidsen not standing behind his pieces.

Both the gen and rep stems should be 0.90mm diameter. But you might have to trim the stem length a little. If the gen stem is too long, then shortening it to the needed length is easy. If it is too short, then you will have to use a stem extender -- no problem, as your pic shows plenty of room between the case and the movement, so you can fit the extender in.