MarkJ

vlaletom Interesting project. Now that you have the 616's, get them reworked to a 618 and choose a case that has the correct movement ring, etc. I would think DSN has a correctly built dial by now?

Thanks James. It looks like you have quite a bit of PN understanding too. I'm here if you need anything.

I can't disagree with that logic. You hit the nail on the head. Demsey, you are pretty funny I love the scene setting! It really is for fun and most people would not be eye-balling the watch anyway. Enjoy!

Oh, when it comes to PN Daytonas, the room will get hot. I have a pretty good knowledge of PN dials and think danzeman22 is just trying to move us in the direction of understanding more of the complexities involved. James, I like your enthusiasm and hats off to you. Don't take danzeman22's comments to heart. I think he is trying to bring awareness to the issue. In all fairness, getting hold of a really good PN is next to impossible because the dial work is so complex. All the sub-dials are done as a spiral pattern and that requires a steady hand and perfect movement, not to mention the sub-dials are not flat, they have a rolling effect where the inner middle is higher than the outer edge. Secondly, the outer edge is without pattern so that has to be properly smoothed so the spiral finishes at a clean stopping point. Next, the chapter ring is also reccessed but not as far as the sub-dials. Finally, the paint has to be perfectly sharp at the color change points! All of this is very, very telling to those who are familar with PN's. Great post too

I agree fully. It's the dial that make all the difference. The movement and case are pretty easy fixes and inaccuracies can be overcome with some skill. But, the dial is a piece of gold on Daytons 62xx models. So many little details and the dial itself is incredibly hard to make and finish. One week worth of work just to do a dial!

Yup, a nice example of the 6263. Well done and wear it with pride!

I think you're right on. That would be my choice for the money too. And, if you're looking for the perfect copy, it's next to impossible to find unless you make it yourself. Remember the Texas dial Newman's? They were pretty good copies but lacked a few particulars.

I would say I'm somewhat familar with these pieces. Here's one made to spec without print.

Good non-Newman dials, most of them shown. TeeJay, I would say the lettering and numbers are not white enough. The overall look is pretty good though.

Todd, the Newman 6239, 6241, etc are extremely difficult to match to the real one. The one you picture is easy to spot as fake from 10 feet away. The one pictured by the other member is closer but costs a heck of a lot. I would shy away from Newman's if you're looking to wear in the presence of people who know the dial. They are a work of art and involve a lot of work in making them. But, that's my opinion.

Wolf, that's exactly what I was talking about. Great work!

The ST19 is pretty good but I've done repair work on a few and mostly in the pusher springs, etc. The movement was made from Venus tooling but the Chinese factory which I'm very familar with, did a poor job on fine adjustments in the chrono mechanism. It's easily fixed but still requires some skill, removal of parts and use of tools. The Lemania is like you say, a different beast. The Lemania worth getting is the calibre 321. It fits in older Omega models and used by Vacheron, Patek, the list goes on. If you decide on the Chinese Venus, make sure the pushers are properly adjusted before mounting it.

I've got a reproduction job to do for a PAM 168. If anyone can shoot up a good dial pic, I'd be most appreciative. It's the OP6584.

I've actually had one in front of me. The one I saw came from a factory in China and it's dead-nuts on with this one from the pic. The jewel color, the balance wheel, the blued screws all tell me China. I also know this particular China factory makes parts for Switzerland. But, I agree, you should get what you pay for and that should be made clear before you buy.

It truely is a one-of-a-kind dial, off topic a bit but worth discussion. Even more complicated than a black paint, it was molded plexi. The transparent plexi was placed over the surface to contain the radium but had to be held by the two rivets you see on the front. Interesting dial and thanks for sharing.