mir36

Welcome back M! Was that Panerai your 082? I guess I won’t send you that yearly PM asking you to sell that dial to me. Great to have you back.

Case looks good. Although the ‘20’ in the insert is also incorrect. Just decide whether you want a: 5513 circa 1972 onwards 5513 with 5517 engraving on the lug aka double reference - 1975 onwards? 5517 - 1977 onwards? and match the serial you want accordingly. you also want to consider whether you want W10 (army/SAS) or 0552 (navy/SBS) engravings. For my project I’m using VN dial and 5517 case, Jensen hands, and a CAC insert w/ correct ‘20.’ I’m just waiting to source a correct hacking 1570 from the same period.

Just to add my two cents… for case sets check out seller Kuaredwatches on instagram, based out of VN. He offers full case sets for less than $1k. He was on eBay until a couple of months ago. I’ve ordered dials from him. On the 5517 insert, Jensen’s (the bay) are decent. I’ve ordered many other parts from him except the 5517 insert. The shape of the ‘2’ in ‘20’ is incorrect. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. I’m referring to the bottom left curve which leads to the flat line. Even from CAC, you need to watch the shape of the ‘2’. Some are good. Some are not. I use S Mazzariol’s 5517 photos for reference.

Simply amazing. Running off to the sales section now :)

Some Noob Daytonas are still available, if you’re willing to pay 2x ($1200) what they were originally sold for. Doubt Noob is coming back. Reminds me of that movie where Johnny Depp’s character shoots the cook because the dish he made was too good. Restored balance to the world.

Interestingly, the same is true of David Wong’s (DW) Panerai PreV cases, unappreciated in their time because they were unfortunate enough to be released at the same time the Noob 111J case was released, which became de rigeur for PreV projects. I bought a lot of those cases from Spinmaster (remember him?). We’re hard on these sellers when their products are not 100% up to spec (measurements off, wrong engraving, etc. ) But I can imagine they are equally disappointed, if not more, when they get these from their makers, as they’re stuck with a product which will be difficult to sell.

Ah ok. Btw - I for one never doubted you. (Secretly sends kidney to Automatico as down payment)

I purchased a 5513 PCG case a few years ago from Ruby and the case still sits in my drawer because I was unhappy with the crown height being low. I had a nagging feeling it was actually and overpriced MBW case I was sold. Here’s a pic of my case with reference PCG cases for comparison. I recently saw a sales post at RWI for a Ruby 1665 case. The crown height position made me cringe. Ruby 1665 - recent sales post over at RWI. The crown position is scandalously low. Phong 1665 - Photo from an old Tripdog post at RWI. Correct crown height. I’m curious if anyone else had noticed the low crown height positioning with Ruby cases? It seems hit and miss.

Thank you gents! I suspected JKF, but the crown positioning was absolutely throwing me off in the pics. Looked higher than lower, to my poor eyes.

Better pic of the dial

Better pics here. From this angle the caseback looks engraved, not laser etched. Crown profile Better shots of case profile: HEV side last pic I haven’t seen the watch in person. But I might have to depending on your feedback.

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How do I post pics

Question to our esteemed experts. I’ve been offered this 1665 build locally for a reasonable price. Seller says his father built it (any of you guys? ) . I’m struggling to determine whether this is a cartel rep or something better. Looking at the crown position and cg stubbiness, I couldn’t tell if this case is cartel or Vietnamese . Appreciate any help. Thank you. PS: I couldn’t for the life of me post proper pics using BBCode. What’s the right way?

Very well done. Congratulations. I hope your daughter cherishes your gift.