mjmurphy926

Actually the crown/stem from each case seems to fit the other case tube just fine. I wasn't able to check for water tightness, but the feel of the crown sliding through the tube felt pretty much the same. The biggest problem is that you can't use the unmodded crown from one case with the unmodded CG from the other case because the distance between the leading edge of the roller to the base of the CG feet where it attaches to the case are not the same. The H-factory CG + 111J crown won't close because it is too tight and the other way around with the 111J CG + H-factory crown. Correcting this may be as simple as adjusting stem length, but that won't solve the crown to case issue with the 005. I have seen pictures of 005 K series that have non-roller CGs. I read somewhere that the serial numbers of the non-roller models was sub 200, but nobody could pinpoint exactly when it happened. My SN is 162, so it's possible that the V-CG might actually be more accurate, but it's kind of a mute point as I plan on using a roller lever in the end. Yeah...I change my mind almost hourly. I will say though that I was blown away by what I saw when I opened my 005 box. Maybe I'll just order another 005 and leave it bone stock as my primary 005 and use this one and the other parts from this 005 for toying and possible DLCing or possible pre-v build. I'll have to talk to rolli and Avitt to see which case they recommend DLCing (I'm guessing 111J, but who knows?).

Just playing Mickey. Trying to see which parts are interchangeable. I haven't figured out which parts will be in my final 005 version. Also, I love to play with Luminors. They have simple movements and are easy to work on...and they are relatively cheap.

Good to know Pete...I'm learning.

Thanks all. I don't know if it's staying this way or not Pete...For a little while at least. What actually made me swap was just my curiosity to see how the H-factory crystal fits in the 111J case. I knew it would fit, I just didn't know if I would have to swap gaskets and wanted to find out. From there, I decided to go all the way. I'm pretty disappointed in the fact that the CG from the H-factory case isn't a straight swap though. The only things I wish I could change on the 111J case set are the strap dimples and the bezel profile. I think the flat ring at the top of the bezel is just a tad thin. This also makes the angle of the bezel just slightly too flat IMHO. I think it gives the bezel the appearance of being a touch wider than modern gen and H factory bezels even though it's really not. As for the H-factory case, I don't like the thin lugs and I really don't like the construction. I agree with you and the others that think the 111J case is superior and it will be the base for my future projects. I'm going to send Josh and/or Andrew an email and ask if the 111J caseset is available for purchase, as well as the H-factory crystal. If not, I see myself buying at lease 2 more of each to take the parts I want and sell off the rest. Now I have to figure out a nice CG combo (CG body and lever) to go with the 111J case. I'm going to have to get a 111J case DLCd too.

So I was bored tonight and decided to mix and match parts from the 111J and the 005. From 111J: case crown second hand (I'll explain why below) movement CG screws From 005: caseback crystal hour and minute hands lug screws From neither: V-CG I also want to mention how lucky I am and how tough these parts seem to be. While trying each of the crown/stems, I forgot that I only put 1 movement clamp in and that wasn't even tightened. I'm not quit sure why, but I turned the watch crystal side up, and with no caseback on, I pulled the crown/stem out and the guts went crashing to the hardwood floor. The hands and dial flew off the movement and scattered across the floor. After cursing for a several minutes, I got down on the floor to see if I could find the parts and asses the damage expecting to have to buy a new 005. To my surprise, nothing was damaged in the slightest! My only problem was that I couldn't find the 005 second hand. That's why I had to install the crappy lumed 111J second hand. I reassembled everything and buttoned it up. I'll have to find a super lumed handset somewhere, but all in all, I feel very fortunately to have it on my wrist right now. The reason I installed a V-CG was that the angle of the 005 CG feet isn't the same as the angle of the 111J case where the CG mounts. There was a slightly noticeable gap at the outer edges between the CG and case. I didn't want to file the CG feet to make it fit, because I'll probably put the 005 guts back in it's original case after I disassemble and reassemble that case just to see how it's built. Besides, the CG lever was tight to start with and the crown was almost right up against the case and filing the feet would only accentuate that. The V-CG doesn't have a roller lever and the finish isn't quite as nice as the 005 CG, but it fits nicely and the crown is the proper distance from the case. It also closes with a nice click that isn't too tight. My 111J CG was finished horribly, so I didn't even try it. Here are some quick pictures in terrible lighting. I'm pretty happy with the overall look. The caseback actually fits better on this case than on the 005 case. It seems to bottom out on the 005 case without the gasket doing much. On the 111J case, it goes on nice and smooth and you can feel the gasket when you tighten it. The AR and clarity of the 005 crystal is simply awesome. It's probably the best rep crystal I've ever seen. Also, the gap between the crown and the case looks pretty good with this combo. Another shot emphasizing the sweet crystal which fits perfectly in the 111J case with the 111J gasket. I still got big love for the old V-CG. If there was any doubt before, you can see from how far the 005 lug screws are recessed in the 111J lugs that the lugs are actually quite a bit thicker on the 111J case. These screws are pretty much flush on the 005 case. I hope some of you can get some useful information out of this. Tomorrow...rip apart the 005 case.

Yes sir. Specifically a new 005 case.

Do you just lift the bezel off the the case front? Is it harder than removing a bezel from a non H-factory case? Should I remove the crystal first? Thanks

You bet.

Yes, it is normal. The 6497 is a non-hacking movement.

Is that a joke or true? I wouldn't mind being part of a group buy to get 3 or 4.

Thanks w0lf. I guess we don't need to worry about the factory shutting down, but I'd feel a lot better about the continued life of this case if they would release a new model, preferably PVD or DLC. I'm buying another 111 anyway just to have another project case.

I can confirm that the 005 caseback fits on the 111J case, as does the 005 CG. I have not attempted to swap levers yet because the 005 pin is really tight and I haven't been brave enough yet to try and push it out with my bracelet pin pusher. We already know that the crystal from the 005 will fit in the 111J case because babola installed his 177 crystal in his 111J case. And speaking of the crystal, it is every bit as impressive as I had hoped! I'll also point out, for what it's worth, that the CG screws on my 005 were terrible. I thought my case might be cross threaded, but when I used the screws from the 111J, they screwed right in.

And if so, do you all think there will be more to come from these guys? Or do you think they have conceded to the H-factory since they seem to be releasing a new model every month? I ask this because I'm thinking that if they have thrown in the towel, I'd better order a couple now since that case may soon become extinct after a short run (see Omega SMP bond). Or is this just silly speculation?

Yeah, sorry Pete...and thanks Tom, I will.

Trust me Tom...you will be amazed! It's anything but a turd. I have this habit, born from past disappointments, of finding flaws in my watch from the point it is ordered trough the time I open the box. A lot of the time, those flaws are present when I inspect the new watch. Not this time. The only other watch that was as flawless as this one was 1 of 2 Breitling Skylands. I have found 2 very minor issues with this watch. 1. The bottom CG screw was a tad loose. A half turn with a screwdriver did the trick. 2. The tip of the CG lever has a slight bur at the end. A quick swipe with 220 grit remedied this.

Well, it just arrived about 15 minutes ago. After unpacking it, I spent about 10 minutes going over it as closely as I could without a loupe (I'm at work and didn't bring it with me today). First impressions...HOLY $H!T! The fit and finish on this bad bay is AMAZING! This is by far the best PAM rep I've ever had out of the box. I was totally disappointed with the terrible CG finish, inner lug finish, crystal, and overall dial appearance on my 111J. This thing is near flawless (meaning build quality). I'm not doing anything to it just yet. I want to wear it and enjoy it for awhile. Once the newness wears off, I'll tear it down and figure out what I want to do with this and the 111J. EDIT - Oh, and 1 more thing...I have always been a fan of the sandwich dial, but after seeing this 005 dial, and at the risk of sounding like a moe...I'll take sausage over sandwich any day!

I'll definitely post something if I decide to epoxy the H-factory case together. My 005 should be delivered today, so I'll more than likely check caseback and CG pieces tonight. I'm pretty sure most (if not all) of this has already been checked (with 177s and 219s vs 111j) before and found to be directly swappable, but I'll confirm and let you know.

I have contemplated this too after reading about the H-factory case construction. I may take this route in the end, but I'm not sure yet. I'm torn between trying to epoxy the H-factory case together (which should give a good water tight seal and a closer to gen appearance) and hybiding my 111J and 005 (which would give a more accurate to gen construction). I will build the 005 with what I consider to be the best solution and build the 111 with whatever is left. I'll end up with 2 nice watched either way I decide to go.

Man...You ain't kiddin' about that strap combo! Nice rep indeed!

Yours looks great Marty. Is the crystal really as good as it looks in this picture? I can't wait for mine to arrive.

It does look a little deep. I haven't received my watch yet, but here is a QC pic of the watch I accepted for comparison:

I agree Pete, except mine was even worse. Maybe I just got a lemon, but the inner part of the upper left and lower right lugs were pretty rough and the CG was total trash. I was able to massage the lug enough to satisfy me, but the CG and dial were ditched. The 111J case now has a LH dial, V-CG and DSN single AR crystal. I'm wearing it now. You're right about the construction. I love how the bezel has a gasket to mount on and the thumbnail makes it easy to take off. I also love the caseback. I haven't checked with the cartel guys yet, but I'm hoping to buy a case from one of them, and if they don't sell cases only, I'll buy another complete 111. I just hope I get one with a much better CG next time.

That would sweet! Maybe I'll give it a shot!

Do you want the full size (8400x6000) version?

LOL...I know you were kidding.