Drulee

That's what I thought, but this has happened from two different dealers, or are they both using the same guy for waterproofing

What is it with the casebacks falling off??? This is the third one I've heard about, two from Cartel.

Forgot to mention that if all you want is a 308 with a PVD finish (the one you have pictured is not a 308), then the Cartel sells them. Just look in Panerai - Luminor Chrono Auto 44mm section, very last listing.

I think it would be nice to have a 'sticky' thread in the parts section, or in the respective brand section, with links to sources (other than manufacturer) for gen parts. Also perhaps this thread could have a list, or members could occasionally post updates, of what popular parts are selling for. This would really reduce the chance of someone jacking the price up when selling a part here, as potential buyers would have more resources to better judge what they may be willing to pay over actual retail...

Last time I transferred some Moebius 9010 from its tiny vile to an oil cup, it took ages since there is such a small amount and it won't 'pour' from the vile. Anybody have some tips (fyi I've got no syringes)?

Is there any chance of you posting some lume comparison shots with some of your work ? I assume it is still not the correct Aqua colour, and is still standard rep green?

Well looks like DSN has re-introduced his 063C, what do you guys think? Not sure of specs yet, as these pics had just been uploaded to his photobucket... Here is a pic of Jakobhh's caseback to compare DSN's to:

I'm sorry Pete, I was going to cave to your gen experience, until you mentioned DSN lume. I don't know how many Zig/Vac lumed pieces you've had, but DSN lume looks like cheap factory rep in comparison to them, so if you believe his lume makes the 'threshold (quality) drop' between gen and rep, then factoring in the vast improvement Zig/Vac reluming is over DSN ....

As many have stated creating the CAD design is the easiest step, the problem comes when you try to get a GOOD CNC business to do the actual machining. Most of the larger professional companies won't touch it as it is a Panerai Trade Mark. The smaller shops, that are run by professionals with a lot of experience, will probably not want to risk losing their rep in the business either. If you do find someone willing to do the work, chances are they are the type that don't worry about exact tolerances and high quality end work, because they're only doing for some quick cash and don't expect to get a lot of repeat business from you. As for the Asian sources that are willing to do it, we are already quite familiar with the quality and preciseness of their work, aren't we The simple fact is it comes down to money, nobody is going to risk their reputation or business for the equivalent of what they'd blow on a weekend of heavy drinking

Hey Offshore, this is your chance to have your name forever associated with Omega history. Just stipulate that a plaque with "Piece donated to Omega Museum by Offshore" be placed under it

I think the same can be said for Vac and Zig relume work. I often notice that half of the markings on my Vac/Zig relumed dials are glowing because part of the dial had been exposed to ambient light while the other half hadn't. Plus the Aqua colour of the lume really looks so much better than that standard rep green.

Looks great. Hijack does great work. I have his old ETA7753 250 that still glows nicely, he even did the numbers on the "6" sub-dial which most won't touch

Yeah the Panatime Croc Deployant straps are very light, and too shiny for my tastes (the Black ones anyway). I like the patter on this one though.

I believe there was a comparison thread here somewhere, on PVD/DLC finishes. From what I recall Zig PVD is sent to the same factory that also is contracted by Panerai. However, to assume that because it is the same factory, that it will be the same PVD coating formulation is another matter. Of course Zig would be able to shed more accurate light on the subject, but I don't see the factory allowing a non-Panerai run to use the same formulation that it uses for official Panerai PVD coating. Panerai would be a high-profile client whose work would not be shared with piecemeal orders by less established clients. I'm fairly sure this was backed up by that PVD comparison thread I mentioned, as the author mentioned that Zig's PVD was a different tone or shade, not sure though...

Very nice The Zigmeister, I love the blue lume I had you put on my 192, really makes it unique among my PAM reps As far as the OP, if you really want a PVD 308, just get a regular 308 and either contact The Zigmeister or Avitt to get it properly coated. I believe The Zigmeister uses a PVD service, while Avitt does DLC - but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Gens are spring loaded. If you've never replaced a crown, you should probably think about sending it out to one of the watchsmiths (Vac, Zig, Goin, 1660..) If you're not worried about screwing something up, then I'd order a couple of ST19 stems from AlphaUSA (or another source if you know of one), and a SL crown from Tourby. You may want to wait for Tourby's new deeper dish SL crowns, then order both and sell the one you end up not using, There will probably be a lot of trial and error (file and fit) that you will have to do before getting the right fit.

As usual an excellent review. Looks like the main benefit for us PAM freaks, will be the introduction of a great case that will accept an ETA7753 without any modification. Unfortunately we'll also have to rely on DSN, or old stock, for our dials. Other than that, not much point in having an A7753 in any 'keeper' rep, as parts' sources are non-existant and it seems its design may be prone to problems down the road...

Yes, I am fully aware of this. But to date, at least from what I've experienced, if your Asian built watch arrived dead you could send it back and get a replacement. Now it seems some dealers may be trying to stop that practice as well. Even when I buy chewing gum, I expect it to be chewable

You say 'a rep will always be a rep', which is obviously quite true, but I'm thinking more along the lines of 'a gen will always serve you better than a rep'. Which, in my case I don't think it will. I'm one of those members that went from gens to reps, didn't really know much about those gens before getting into reps, and know I'm more into watches only because the ones I wear have been built, even if only partially, by me I would never look at a watch an investment, and just can't justify spending that extra few thousand dollars for some very minor cosmetic gains (this is what I wanted to confirm to myself with this thread). Of course if my taste started leaning towards watches with highly modified or custom in-house movements, that would be a different story

Have you contacted the dealer, and if so what did they say? I ask because a couple of other members have reported they've been told by a certain dealer that because they approved the Q.C. pics it is not their problem. How you can justify not replacing a bad movement because of some pics, is beyond me though

PAM PAM PAM PAM PAM PAm PAm PAm PAm Pam Pam Pam pam pam pam paM paM paM pAM pAM pAM PAM PAM PAM....

Yup the new PAM Daylights use it.

Not what I meant, I had believed that he was a watch smith by profession, not hobby. I've had work done by him before, and was originally just wondering if he had indeed returned from his holiday. That's all

So in my particular situation (rep PAMs only, all 6497 or 7750 based, with a couple of ST19 manual wind chronos thrown im), given I can cherry pick all the parts and service myself. Then applying that 'cherry picking' to cases, crowns, crown guards, and crystals. And assuming I properly install and grease all gaskets (caseback and crown). Just how much am I missing by not purchasing the gen of any of my reps, especially when some are priced as 'rare'? Don't forget that thre aren't many PAM enthusiasts in my circles. I will admit that the E-G 6497 looks a lot better than any rep one, plates or directly engraved. But don't think that much of their H+ CotesDeGeneves engraved ones, especially after polishing up your bridges (sure the gen looks nicer, just not $1000+ nicer )

That eBay one looks exactly like the one I received from Panatime last year, except shorter (mine was an XL). You will find it very glossy, just like in the pic (Panatime pic wasn't so shiny), and quite thin. I haven't even worn mine due its 'shinyness'