Finepics

I will more than vouch for Mr Smiths integrity here. As I have already mentioned before there are several new projects in the pipeline and this is one of them - these CG's will be a clone of the gen so all of you with interest in the Pre-A's as well will definitely want these. Correct side profile, correct pin placement, machined from a bar not rough cast or laser cut - these will be very good. I will certainly be having 3 of these myself.

Gosh - I've been watching mine like a hawk!! So far I seem to be lucky too. I have only worn it a couple of times but it has been running continously for 36 hours on my desk and is spot on accurate so I hope it stays that way!!!

Jeez - those sizes are really weird Ken - I am a 40 short (chest) and 34 waist - these are standard UK sizes so where am I? Also I cannot see what the styles of the suits are as the pics are so small - I would be interested if I could see them a little better.

Yes they are larger so you need to reduce by 1mm.

No problem - and take no notice of these arseholes (me included) - they are only jealous;. We might have to think about having a gen owners section now what with you, V, David, Quarks etc etc and your not allowed to post in the rep section!!!

Yep - ETA alright. This is the early version of the PAM movt when the chinese makers simply took the standard 6497 movt, used photos of the PAM 036 (the only PAM to have this movt visible) and copied it using the stuck on plates.

1st post and dissing an esrtablished member already - do we allow that sort of thing here or has RWG gone soft as [censored]!!! In fact RWG has become incredibly boring just lately. Premium I am suprised at you. I would maybe (if I had the money) pay over the odds for a decent PAM like a Pre-A or something - sounds to me like you just jumped at the first one that came your way!! Not even a classic model if you want my honest opinion - sucker!!! Rico - with you all the way baby!!!!

Re-spray with modellers matte black enamel paint (I use a Tamiya paint). Touching with a brush can be difficult as the tiny amount of paint needed can start to dry before its laid down. I always spray them as it's vey quick drying and gives a nice even finish.

Crystal is seated into the bezel but the bezel does not need removing to pop the crystal out. Panerai only coat their watches on the inside as the caoting is easily scratched and not ideal for the front. There are scratch resistant coatings but again not ususally used. The 036 may actually not be coated at all (can't remember) but the better quality rep is usually the one with the purple coating.

That was my almost identical dial for sale the other week but no interest except for one member. Shame about the CG - instant giveaway!

Obviously better to remove it. You would be suprised how easily they can come out. No risk of breaking a sapphire easily so press out with thumbs.

Can't say anymore at the moment but the H and Pre-A series CG's might be addressed soon - and not from the usual sources!!

Have you tried to polish the AR coat off - then you won't need a crystal!

Simple answer is because irrespesctive of which ETA plant made the movt, ETA is a Swiss company not Chinese.

Nice to see those beautiful old tools Rob - I went to a watch and clock flea market just recently - someone had a beautiful watch makers lathe in a wooden box with all the tools complete for £350 - very tempting but did not have the spare cash!!

That is a Chinese copy of the 2893 but not an exact copy as the balance wheel has a different bridge so the rotor is what gives the aesthetic similarity. ETA has a factory in China so many of the Swiss brand name wtaches use ETA movts which will have been made in their Chinese plants but finished in the Swiss factory with special decoration. This does not mean they are asian movts in our terms. Asian movts in our language means those such as the copy of the 6497 and the 7750 - all are distinguishable by the lower price. The 6497 movts with the PAM bridges described as Swiss ETA are genuine ETA movts that have been adapted by making new bridge plates but are still an ETA with regard to the gear train and other moving parts. Some of them now (the ones that have the correct shaped regulateur) use a mix of ETA and asian parts (such as the asian balance wheel and going train) which gives them the same beat rate as the genuine ETA 6498 that Panerai actually use and better appearance, but these movts are the ones that have had problems with an incorrectly positioned balance spring and also have a different style pallet bridge (a pallet [censored] to be precise). So the trade off here is better overall aesthetics with higher unreliability risk but these are still described as a Swiss ETA. The movt Tazzio shows is clearly genuine ETA (regardless if made in China) as the ETA marks are visible under the balance wheel and yes it is a 2824.

The 7750 wheel is not the same as the 7753 (which is a bigger diameter) and they are not interchangeable. The 4 wheels shown on Cousins website are for quartz movts - the mechanical movt parts are not listed on the website. You need to submit an enquiry or better still telephone them to order and quote the name/number I listed above.

Yes ETA wheels will fit the asian 7750. They can be bought from O.Frei in the US or Cousins in the UK. The part number is "Valjoux 7750 - 2557/1 - Date Ring" and they cost only a few bucks. Always quote the movt as all date rings have the same part number irrespective of the movt. In fact the whole industry had a common numbering system for all their parts so all watch movts from Angelus, Cortebert and ETA etc all have the same part numbers.

I know someone that has one.

David - be very careful with these. The bezel on this is not like the fiddy which is held in with a nylon I ring and pops off fairly easily. These are a metal to metal interference fit and very hard to remove. You need a thin blade and have to tap it all the way round with a small jewellers hammer being careful not to damage the rubber O ring that gives the water resistance seal. The white ring is just the nature of sapphire and not much you can do about it. The distortion is because these crystals are not a well made shape. You will see it is different in profile to the older mineral type. Just another example of [censored] manufacture. The good news is that my 212 mineral crystal has been removed, in one piece, and is in the far east right now about to be cloned in Sapphire and AR'd ready for youse guys to buy, fit and forget. The rotor is easily fixed - just tweak it up a little - they easily bend slightly as the bearing cage is just a press fit into the rotor so it's just been bent down a touch which is why it's touchung the bridge plate. The newer 212's are from another factory which might explain the difference of fit with some components. Check out the more recent 212 dials to see what I mean (they are total crap).

Surely if Paul can get these then our other PP accepting dealers can too - Josh, Andrew, El etc - where are you?

Hang fire there dude - yes they are a comin - just cannot give an exact date but definitely before xmas!!!

Excellent review. No reason why the chrono pushers would not be watertight. The makers use a standard type pusher made the same way as gen pushers and all have internal O rings which should be good for at least 30m if not 100m depth.

Found it!!