rogerwine

Well no one is going to supply a 164 with quality lume, so buy the new model and have it re-lumed. I bought trusty's 164 and had Vacuum lume it and it looks great. Send yours to The Zigmeister and have the crown tube changed so the crown doesn't hug the case and have it re-lumed and you will have a real winner. The new cyclops and date wheel are already very good on the new 164, the AR is sufficient and the CG is also very good. Go for it! rogerwine

I would take 3 pieces/or sets for myself as well. Rogerwine

Yea, what Peepshow said. Also the issue with decorated 6497 movements (either H or E) for exhibition caseback Pams being available at all, is the subject of the moment. Forget about best out of the box, you are going to have to scour the internet to find the model you want with the movement you want and you may have to settle for Asian movements, because what is being offered right now may be all there is for the foreseeable future. So capture the best case you can with the proper movement and then see about mods to get it to where you want it to be. Otherwise exhibition back Pams w/6497 movements may become a thing of the past. Rogerwine

Vac had the debris and a replacement from Andrew. They were both glass not sapphire. End of story. Rogerwine

As much as I love Panerai, lets see; 6497 movement in a stainless steel case, no second hand, plain jane dial with a big ass crown guard, and its a collectors item? Come on people be careful what you are laughing at, you just might be wearing it. And Beckham, who wouldn't want to step in his shoes for a bit, jeeesshh!! Rogerwine

Wanted- To Trade or Buy - 6 DSN "A"s for 12 "low bar" "A"s plus cash. "A"s must be in 95% CONDITION. Please, "Low Ballers" or "Tire Kickers", do not reply !!! Rogerwine

It is the mineral crystals that explode not sapphire crystals. This was a big deal in the fall of 2006 when Andrew and El were selling their Ultimate Fiddy 127 with "glow torch" lume and swan neck "Swiss" e movements and "sapphire crystals (They were not). Most of those, including mine, had their crystals break. Most had DSN real sapphire crystals replaced and they have not exploded (Including mine). There were many claims of real sapphire crystals, but were mineral crystal instead. Rogerwine

That is one striking watch. I'd love to have one, outstanding !! Rogerwine

Yes, the correct markings are on the watch advertised. I would not have bought it if they were not on the watch. I have heard that some new 104s are being shipped without the L Swiss Made L as well. So I guess the LswissL crew all left for Chinese New Year a bit early. Joshua realized the issue immediately as well. Rogerwine

Having not purchased a new rep in 6 months I have been jonesing since the New Year to bite on one of the new Pam autos and also from a Repgeek thread about a Pam 172 Tantalum. So I bit and ordered the 164 from Josh and got it in record time, and guess what? No "L Swiss Made L" by the 6 at the bottom of the dial. Just my luck ! So now I am waiting for a new dial to arrive (Josh was very good about the issue) and then when it comes in, the watch and new dial will go to Vacuum for re-lume and swap-out. I also ordered the 172 from Davidsen. Why Davidsens' model? Well I fancied the Titanium oxide over Stainless Steel because it might present a different look from a straight Titanium case ( Even though it may not wear from use, as well) and it had the correct E movement with swan neck. But the caseback was not engraved and then he informed me that he could not get anymore E movements w/swan neck, either Swiss or Asian. So I had him put on a 177 titanium caseback ( The gen has been reported to have a Titanium caseback instead of Tantalum). At least the caseback will be engraved ( obviously the wrong series numbers) and may present the proper look. I am also getting the Titanium oxide caseback with it as well. He has put in an H series movement w/swan neck, which is now not correct. So it will be going to Vacuum as well to switch out the H series for an Asian E series swan neck and also correct the lume if needed. In the meantime I located a OEM tantalum strap for the watch and it is also on its way. Wow what a convoluted journey this has become, trying to overcome some of the flaws on these watches. The Pam 172 Tantalum has turned into a bit of an obsession and expensive to boot. All of this for a set of "blue hands" on a Pam. I have now spent $748.00 on 2 new watches (Including the OEM strap) with probably a possible @$475.00 + more to go. Thank god this only happens once every 6 months. Rogerwine

Either the new 104 or 164 autos with an Alligator or Croco strap look really nice. With other straps you can dress them up or down on a whim. Rogerwine

Well you are not alone here. I just received a new Pam 164 from Perfect Clones without the "L SWISS MADE L" on it as well. The L SWISS L guys must be on strike. Oh Well, getting a new dial sent and since it was going out asap for a re-lume it all works out. But what a major pain in the rear. "QC, I don't need no stinking QC" Rogerwine

Really I think its a tie; While Republicans are screwing a lot, its the democrats that they are screwing, so...... 50/50 Rogerwine

It would seem, based on the issue of the "L Swiss Made L" placement that the 164 (All of the other QC questions considered equal) would be the "Best" of the 3 out of the box. Save for the size of the Dots as dial markers and those could be possibly be addressed during a re-lume. As far as the "L Swiss..." issue on the 104, there seems to be some question about the "L kissing the butt of the 6, even on gens. The picture of the 104 on Timezone.com, Panerai reference, Contemporary, shows the "L Swiss" almost kissing the "6", plus the previous picture in this thread, could lead you down the Panerai Model Differentation road like with other models ( Slight odd-ball changes as yearly models evolve). This is one of the neat issues about Pams, always expect the unexpected. Rogerwine

My 187 came from EddieLee as well. It was my 1st high end Pam rep. I sent it out to Vac for servicing and Vac-luming (This is the last 7750 that Vac serviced, LOL). It glows like a torch and runs great and it is my favorite. I wear it on road trips and it gets more complements then any other watch I have ever owned. The lack of AR doesn't bother me at all. Rogerwine

An excellent tequila and an excellent value is the Cazadores Anejo liter bottle at CostCo for $39.95. Hmmm, Good sipping Tequila. Rogerwine

Check your post at RWI

I just pulled the trigger on a SS Big Bang from Josh today. I handled one at the Darkside GTG in S.f. last month and couldn't get it out of my mind. Just had to have it. Hopefully I will be lucky with the QC at this late date. Rogerwine

Greeetz, the 177 is a sandwich dial and Davidsen has no lume color issues with his sandwich dials. It' the sausage dials that are the problem like the 082, 005 and the 195. Those are the ones that have the green weinies. Rogerwine

Archibald, you have hit the nail squarely on the head. I had the 1st 082 (sent it back)and now this new? 005 from him and I just don't get it. And obviously neither does he. Too bad, because his projects hold such promise. From a new member here on RWG. Rogerwine

Hi, I am a new member to RWI and an on-going member or RWI.The suspensiopn system is supposed to be extra protection for the auto buffs and pit crew types who are knocking their watches about. Its 20mm thick at the highest part and 15mm thick at the lowest, thus it positions the face of the watch towards you as it sits on tour wrist. It is a beast, as I have one, but with that orange face and the orange and black glove soft strap that comes with the kit, the watch has great wrist presence. Not for everyone, but I really like it. Rogerwine

Hi, I am a new member of RWG and a on-going member of RWI. I own both a Tissot Seastar Black face and an Oris Titan 1000meters. Both are bullet proof and great values. As you know the Tissot is very good looking and can be used as a dressy sports watch as well as a useful diving watch. The back of the Tissot is not noticeable at all on the wrist. As a memeber of the Ultimate Dive Watch Forum for 2 years I have never heard of the Seastar failing on a dive or leaking in any way. I have mine on a mesh bracelet and it really looks classy. There are no problems with the blue dial. Rogerwine

Same here. Is the server down? rogerwine