sssurfer

DSN 088 is one of the most accurate PAM reps around, it might even be the most accurate one, and your watch is no exception. Also the caseback is almost 100% -- accurate even in the OP, BB and serial numbers. Unfortunately your case looks affected by a well known flaw of a recent batch of DSN cases, that notch near the crown tube. AFAIK, DSN latest cases do not have it anymore. You might ask for a case replacement.

Both.

7750 should be no problem with no chrono and just one small seconds function.

Extremely interesting. Thanks iceberg for sharing. I am now going to buy as many of the old style bracelets as I can take before they are gone.

A honest opinion? That watch + strap combo is gorgeous with exception for the white stitching.

Oh well, the good news is that CapeCod cloths make miracles in polishing brushed SS.

Do you like it? Take it out of the drawer and wear it. Right now. Why should we wear only something accurate to models that someone else decided to make?

Hi, Paul. Welcome.

I am afraid that working on sapphire might prove uneasy. But if you find a way to replace 212/253/mifiddy crystal with sapphire, then no doubt many members will be interested. Best whishes, let us know how it comes out.

That's an absolute beauty, congrats! I too tried to match the hobnail pattern of my 028 with a hobnail-like strap. The solution I came to was a stingray strap. Now I find your solution better.

38mm is definitely too much. No 37mm?

Yes, it is 24A, and some 24B -- all those with the OP 6527 case. All other OP numbers, i.e. the remaining of B series and all C+ series, have brushed bezel.

A flat crystal on a 253?!? Heresy!!!

Tickness surely plays a role. The thicker the crystal, the lower the chance it breaks. That is why DSN crystals never break on fiddies. Another factor in the game is the crystal's diameter. It it is too large it will give tensions so to make breaking easier. 1mm crystal is definitely thin. I would go for 37mm diameter in order to lessen tensions. But at that price you may buy both 37 and 37.2mm crystals, try the 37.2mm, and if sooner or later it breaks you can replace it with the 37mm crystal.

The one who deserves congrats is you, The Zigmeister. This used to be a black beast, a nightmare to all us hobbist modders... now it is less fearsome.

fantasy++ (i.e. fantasy = fantasy + 1)

Dluddy, I feel honoured from your reference. Thanks! Btw, I am constatntly preparing the next release of that table. jitay... even if this stays a little obscure to me... the BB number (or, on a few PAM models, PB number) uniquely identifies a PAM watch, almost like the serial number (e.g. 0937/2000). Differently from the OP number, that identifies only the case model so it is not unique. AFAIK, the difference between BB numbers and serial nubers is subtle. Imagine that Officine Panerai wants to make 2000 pieces of a given PAM XXX model on year 2008. Imagine that after making 500 pieces they suspend the production of that given model to make, e.g., 300 pieces of a different PAM YYY model, to then come back to produce the remaining 1500 pieces of PAM XXX. The last PAM XXX model made before the interrupt has serial number 0500/2000 and -- let's assume -- BB number BB 100400. When they come back to produce the PAM XXX again, the first watch of the new PAM XXX run gets serial number 0501/2000 and BB number BB 100701 (100701 = 10400 + 300 + 1). In other words, the serial number is unique only with respect to a given model and series, while the BB number is unique over ALL the models and series, it really identifies one single watch.

- UPDATE - The Zigmeister's vinegar method worked! And it did not even affect the rose gold plating of the crown! :yahoo: Actually, I even suspect that the RG plating actually protected the underlying metal. As a matter of fact, non-plated parts that were formerly chrome colored became black under the vinegar action. Fortunately, those parts are in out-of-sight places of the crown. But keep it in mind if you are going to try it on a non-plated crown. Thanks to The Zigmeister who helped on a problem that I believed hopeless. And thanks to rodwc who also offered his help.

Uhm, 1.5mm difference is a lot in horology. I am afraid it either would stay below the top of the bezel, or it is very slightly domed (almost flat). Does ofrei show any pics of that crystal?

The stem is screwed into the crown tube. As it does not unscrew, most likely a bit of glue was added. Hold the stem firmly with small pliers, close to the tube (don't press the pliers on any other part of the stem) and try to unscrew. If it does not work, then try again after applying heat to the crown (don't miss to remove the small rubber gasket before doing it). This should make the glue melt. The best way to apply heat to the crown is with a solder iron. But also a gaslighter should work. Stay advised that if you break the stem, 99% it will be impossible to remove the broken stem part from the tube and you will just have to throw away the whole crown.

Wow JJ, great find! Either those crystals have been recently added, or I completely missed them on my past surfing on ofrei wbsite. As I said, glad to get denied. I am just afraid that their shape might not be highly domed as required for a 212/253/minifiddy replacement crystal. Unfortunately, ofrei does not show pics of them. In any case, they definitely worth a try.

Great watch and beautiful strap, congrats! Maybe the pink hue is also made more noticeable because the DSN crystal is a little thicker than the original crystal? This would make the border of the DSN crystal stick out of the bezel a little more than the original crystal. As the pink hue is especially visible on the border, this would make it more easily seen.