PeteM

Its the 001 mate Here is a link to a gen.. http://www.chrono24....facturerIds=192 You wont find these about now.... its not a model you can compare to the 111...apart from its historic links in OP. I like it mate but then anything PreA floats my boat.....mods are really about how far you want to go.... not many people would recognise this particular model or its details...

Ranger

Beans

So here is my Black Magic II.... Its a really great rep OTB... however as with all upgraded versions its two steps forward and one step back !! The first version from the H maker was good but the CF dial and DW was not upto the quality to the upgraded version. Of course there is the common flaw on these with the size of the SM but the reason for that is because the makers used a gen Black ice which happens to be the only BBK that has the larger size SM, so technically the SM is correct to gen just wrong model The V2 has an incorrect CB as it states Limited Edition, the V1 is correct, The V2 has a H logo laser etched along the rehaut, The V1 does not... however this is an easy fix. Apart from that the V2 is much improved on the wrist and the quality of the CF dial is better (and real) and much closer to gen as is the DW. There has been some comments regarding dial inscriptions being horizontally unlevel with the CF weave... However there are a few things that you should consider before coming to that conclusion... The gen has the same issue, I have researched and compared with gen and can say that depending on pics (Angles Light etc) and in your hand the inscription also looks uneven against the weave. However the rep can be more exaggerated so make sure if you go for one that you check the level is good..but doesnt have to be perfect. The DW cutout is not as rough as it might look on the rep..however the gen can have the same issue. Overall this is a fantastic rep OTB and is a very comfy wear on the wrist.. I have had a custom strap made which you can see in the pics it has a gen CF layer stitched under the leather cutouts... looks great in daylight with the dial.. The AR is superb... it is colourless and very strong..its a shame the TAG maker cant do the same in thier V6s.. the H maker beats this hands down... The quality of the ceramic is fantastic and the way it reflects in daylight along with the polished ceramic bezel markers makes the watch look like it highly polished SS... the dial markers are also much better in terms of shine... under the crystal it glints much more than any other BBK I have had or seen... Overall this watch doesnt look like a black watch on your wrist there is just too much going on in terms of how the materials and thier finishes react in various lighting.. Anyway on to the pics Another thing I should mention is that these models are not the same size to the older H maker BBKs... The bezel and crystal are not the same dimensions ...so please dont think of using the parts of this to mix with the older BBK models from the H maker I had thought about using the palladium model then take the bezel and Cf dial from a BM then also use the red secs hand and inner secs surround on the cf dial.. but it wont work sizes are wrong

Blimey mate.... Mine went straight in... fitted fine in both my Rads.... which are the newer versions... The only thing I remember being diufferent was the catch points on the bars ..

I guess by his posts and not being here since Sept.... he got a V6 and is now sitting with his friends showing them his new gen Cynical I know !!

Its so true... I have had lings, B&Rs and Omegas etc and they were so poor in lume compared to some reps... I also compared the Diver to gen and thought the lume was better ...and I really wouldnt have noticed the thickness without them side by side.. Its always important to remember that even gens vary....all gens are made in batches and by different people... quality is consistent yes...but.... one dial can vary from another even the finish on a case.. Its always useful to research the way gens are made and not to rely on just a few pics etc... to compare.... then add in to that the way lighting, lens's and other factors that can affect the way a watch looks in a pic... so because one gen slightly looks different doesnt mean it could be a rep...

Bloodhound

Gen CGs are around and prices start at around $300 ish upto $750 depending on source and of course series and material... The latest Noob is the best option if your are after the RB historic version but if you know PAMs you know a rep CG.... you cant beat OEM

Taking that further mate from the Chef.... if thats what you are after then try trawling this forum for some great ideas... especially 47 cases with display cases... you can go with Molnija or even some very well worked (engraved) plates on a Hamilton etc Much cheaper too !! There are loads on here over the years..

Very good ... fit straight in... plus they are better quality and have washers.. Unfortunately the post was more than the kit itself !! Not sure if it might be cheaper to try a few buys in EU together or maybe ask a US member to recieve and send on

It still depends on the model mate.... TBH its only if its something that aint the norm or is more complex than say PAMs Rolex etc

Oh and I forgot another guy who does a really great OEM look for $50... Level Z

I do generally but it depends on the work being asked for...

This is a great example of how a strap can really help make a PAM..... The PAM Ti case whether awith a black dial or tabbaco etc is really lifted by a matte or nubuck darker brown strap. If you want OEM style padding etc there are plenty of good and very reasonable options.... First off... if its factory made you want you can source a nice Hirsch strap... Hirsch made OP straps for about 11 years and you will find there own version of all the OEM versions they produced ... the main difference of course is the stampings and the model name.. then on some its just a difference of a turned stitch at the base etc... but once one its pretty much indistinguishable.. especially the Alligators. The other is hand made, however the stitching can be a little below OEM because they are hand stitched and only edgeKoted not machine stitched and sealed. But these are still very very good alternatives.. Makers such as Mario (Orloff) or HKTan, Watchboys, Panatime, etc etc all depends on budget but take time to check out the strap dealers sections on the forums. And of course go for a used or new gen available on the bay or Viapaneristi or Paneristi etc

Sorry mate but I have to disagree with that...... The most dangerous driving conditions are.... Sitting in the passenger seat with my mum driving.... Well thats what its called but its more like talking and looking everywhere but at the road ahead while the car is moving (driving really doesnt describe anything she does when in the drivers seat...) I am still haunted by all those wing mirrors flying off parked cars !!!

Enfield

Ah!! The old company car ! Cant beat it... I think the best way mate is going to be to find a suitable company in general terms and then call them to discuss specifics... of course I imagine that might stir up a potential hornets nest when it comes to insurance waivers etc.. so it might be worth considering exactly what you tell them... and perhaps look at buying inexpensive chains etc

You look well mate That wrist looks well fed and tanned

However if you dont know the property market you could walk away with nothing and by the same logic if you know your Rolex's etc then you could make a considerable amount of money !! Most people dont buy any luxury goods for an investment... but there are some that can and do make a significant amount of money on buying watches... most people buy a watch for a staus or reward reason... You speak to most guys wearing an expensive watch and say "Nice watch" they reply "Yeah! Its a Panerai " etc..... They dont say "Yeah! Its a Limited edition vintage model with 4 complications" etc thats because they dont care... Its a Panerai, Its expensive and its says something about them to them... The simple truth is most people buy an expensive watch because its expensive and they dont like reps because it undermines that sense of expense... any other reason will relate to smaller minority of buyers who buy for reasons stated in this thread... but they and we are the absolute minority.... in the same way we on the whole dont buy reps to pass them off as gen.... The majority of gen buyers are the same as the majority of rep buyers.... they are looking to say something to others around them about themselves....the only difference is the money... the reasoning is the same... and the lack of understanding of watches is the same (In the majority of cases)

Blimey I aint buying none of your watches !!

I take it your a yank mate? Or are you visiting? If so I am taken back that you say 'Hire'...... I was in US a few years back driving a Suburban ...it was the latest model (apparently) and whilst at lights a guy asked me what I thought of it compared to the old one.... I explained that it was 'hired'.... he said "Really? How much higher?".... he then drove off annoyed as I couldnt stop laughing!! I was then told by my mates that you guys across the pond dont say 'Hire' but use the term 'Rental' Sorry I dont mean to TC mate but when I read this I immeadiately thought of that...

Wife

I have also looked into this and have to agree at the comments above... I was offered a couple of gen 203 dials and hands in the past.... but they were serious money The 240 refinishing is a big big issue ... if you find the correct movement..ie non alarm then the parts need refinishing and replating... Kyle was doing this with some success as I recall.. The gen crystal would need to be the 217 as the 127 is incorrect in all its variations for the 203 .. again these can be got..I have had a few myself. The gen CG crown and bezel again can be bought readily though with patience... The EL V4 case refinished is probably the best case to use but you will need to have a custom movement ring made... I have only ever seen one gen case for sale....The CB can be custom made but better to do it as a OOR (Ghost) as the serial number setting is the hardest to achieve... There are several known ghosts of these so its not an issue to do that. The short answer is yes a true franken build can be achieved but it will be around £10K to build and take a couple of years. There are no rep dials that are even close to the gen... they are all black!! However even if you found one it wouldnt fit the Angelus... and if you get the gen 203 dial you can only use the Angelus with it... the distance between CP and sec stem is crucial in this regard and unless you do the above then the dial wont fit...ie rep dial wont fit angelus and gen dial will only fit Angelus So from my own research I can say unless you are prepared to go full franken you shouldnt even try it.... the only thing you can cut corner on is the Angelus... you can just use an Alarm and dont bother refinishing... afterall its on the wrist... however a watch like that would attract attention that could mean being pressed into taking it off !!