sssurfer

I still think you were nuts to buy those crowns. But I have to admit the result is awesome! Congrats!

What can I say? Good luck! Just realign it while the glue is still soft. Marking the center (or the contour) of the cyclops on the opposite side of the crystal with a magic marker before removing it will help a little -- but the perfect alignment has to be made at sight. Moving the cyclops to realign it usually leaves small bits of glue around it that need to be removed. I am still experimenting about the best way to remove them (whether before or after curing the glue with UV light)*. Ideally, one should cure only the glue that is under the cyclops leaving the outer one soft in order to better remove it. But I wonder how this can be done. Maybe with an UV laser like those of dentists. But they are expensive, and there is a very good chance that light reflection, refraction and diffusion by the sapphire or glass will make it unuseful. Ebay, ofrei, cousinsuk, or even large hardware stores. *Edit: Verified right now. The best way is to remove the glue residuals after curing. Somehow the UV glue hardens only where it is not exposed to air -- i.e. between the crystal and the cyclops. Glue residuals around the cyclops remain soft and they can get easily removed with acetone. On the contrary, removing residuals with acetone before curing exposes to the danger that acetone seeps between the crystal and the cyclops.

Congratulations! Just, try and do it in a home with three cats and a dog...

Wow a 192! Congrats!

Folks we are at the quintessence of paradox here!!! Boys I loved this story! (for the wicked but happy end)

A very senseful thought (as always, by archibald).

Tony informed me that all those pieces are sold out now (I also know that only one of you got his one, sorry for that). If anyone wants to check other Tony's watches, he has fair prices on the fiddies too. But the brown dial 203 is out. Source closed. Back to the movement now...

I have exactly that strap on my 028A. I just painted the stitching in light green (luminova-like) instead of white, in order to match the color of the numbers and markers on the dial. I tried several different straps on that PVD watch, and I came to the conclusion that black gator was the best fit. But I also have to add that I think that that is the perfect fit with very black PVD, like mine (palp's PVD) is. I agree that on lighter and/or duller PVDs a contrast fit might work better.

I'll post pics ASAP (now it is weekend time = family time). But right now I can say: Dial is a very dark brown. One can tell it's brown only side-to-side with a black one, or in full light. No doubt it is brown, though. I would say it is very close to the gen nuance I saw on gen pics from the net. I also have a gen pic on a official OP catalogue, but it looks black there even if it is stated as brown in the text (I suppose this confirms it is a very dark brown). No doubt it is sandwich too. All the inscriptions on the dial ('LUMINOR PANERAI' and the round '8 GIORNI BREVETTATO') are a little thinner and off-white with respect to those on the black dial. This results in less bold and bright inscriptions. I am unsure if this is closer to the gen or what. Crown guard is incorrect. We'll have to replace the CG with one from a black dial / asian 21J watch.

Uhm... I actually plan to transplant the brown dial into the whole case+movement+crystal ensemble of my current 203 (that already has a sapphire crystal). I just have some doubts about the placement of the small second hand, as I heard it could be not exactly the same in the manual and the auto movement. At a first look it looks the same, though. I think I'll submit the matter to my watchsmith then I'll decide...

I posted this elsewhere, but as I feel it might go underlooked I am repeating it here to anyone interested. I recently found what looked as a source for the last brown dial 203s available (you know they are sold out by our usual dealers here). I ordered two, and I received one so far so I can post my finding. I may confirm it was as expected. Brown dial actually. So, to anyone interested, the source is: tonyxkf (from HK). Email: tonyxkf@hotmail.com You may see his pieces and prices on CQout (but he prefers to get in touch via email). The 203 is at: http://www.cqout.com/item.asp?id=2536174 at a very convenient price.

To me, a polished 104 absolutely needs a black strap. Tan or (especially) gray straps may work on brushed 104: If your wrist is regular size you need a regular size (115/75) strap. Width 24/24 or 24/22. Thickness 4mm. Don and Bob sell good straps at convenient prices.

Ok, I received one of the two 203 w/ brown dial that I ordered and I may confirm it is as expected. Brown dial actually. So, to anyone interested, the source is: tonyxkf (from HK). Email: tonyxkf@hotmail.com You may see his pieces and prices on CQout (but he prefers to get in touch via email). The 203 is at: http://www.cqout.com/item.asp?id=2536174 at a very convenient price.

I LOVE THEM!!!

You read my thoughts. It's some weeks now that I am thinking wow I'm feeling bored how can it be? I know that the forum is possibly even more alive and kicking than ever... it's just that I'm getting a feeling that somewhat (somewho?) is missing right now... And it is not a matter of VIP vs open: VIP sections are even more boring. Probably what I missed is just my daily dose of fluoxetine and haloperidol....

I can't stand those watches, those cars, and I simply find it ridicolous to think that you can't have a watch without having the car too.

It reminds me the time when I was disregarding the difference between 26/24/22 straps and so many of my straps looked that way...

As a owner of four PR PAMs, one with the ETA 2892-A2 and three with the Asian 21J, and having compared both them, my humble (and quite obvious) opinion is: - Best quality is naturally of the 2892-A2, it's even worth its price. - But best value (performance/price ratio) is of the Asian 21J. Silix has the 027 @ 80 USD -- i.e. about 15% of the ETA model! -- and that is simply the best watch you can get for that money. - Between the Asian 027 and the Asian 090 I would go for the 027. Its date changing is not via a push button @ 8 o'clock like the 090, and I personally prefer the long central second hand and the central placement of the PR gauge. By lacking the datechange pusher, the 027 can get modded to a quite accurate while the 090 can't.

The stitch one is gorgeous! But, in my humble opinion, the distress at the lugs sounds arranged or cheap.

Unbelievable! I thought it was sort of those aircraft ceramics almost as hard as diamond. Do you think that dealer reliable?

I have two 027 and one 090, all them with Asian 21J, and I am completely satisfied with them.

Oh darn, did I really miss it? Chieftang, any plane for a second run shortly?