Finepics

Guys you might be aware that I have been looking into PVD and can at last offer a complete package deal which is for a complete case, all screws and CG etc, and a buckle coated in TiALN (Titanium Aluminium Nitride). This is the same coating Panerai use on their watches. Be aware that it is not jet black - more of a grey black (described as Anthracite in the Panerai book). The following is what the plating company have said so read carefully: "The components would have to be supplied as before i.e clean, separate and must be stainless steel substrate. The process itself is prone to etching of the substrate in certain situations to give a poor cosmetic result. In the majority of situations the components will coat fine as with the last examples. Payment would be by cheque with order and we would need your details initially for our system records." OK, got that - I have already had a sample case done (you might have seen the pics) and the work is good and my PAM 28a case is away being plated right now. The reference to poor cosmetic results refers to the small chance that there is a slight discolouration in some areas or a slight build up of material on an edge. This is the nature of PVD. Panerai would obviously reject any that are faulty, but we don't have that luxury so just to let you know. My case did have one tiny fualt but so small I do not see it and am really happy with the finish. Total all in cost inc post is £85. I cannot qoute a dollar price as the exchange rate is too variable so would need PP payments in UK sterling please. The turnaround time is a week to 10 days at the platers so allow about 2 weeks total with delivery.

Arktos GMT but cannot remember the model number and it's nowhere on the Panerai site.

No the ETA 6497 was not the basis for the Moljina. This a Russian movt made from the 60's to the present day and was based on the old Cortebert/Rolex movt from the 1930's that Panerai fitted to their military watches and which rather ironically means that it is perfect for the vintage PAM reps.

Just recently put one on mine no problem. The only thing that was not good was it was bent so did not go anywhere near the case to start with!! I think I did some very minor adjustments to the lever cam. Also got one on the power reserve (same case and mov).

There were certainly L and T dial versions of the PAM 28 and 28a Power reserves which were also 1998 models. If an A caseback (as the rep PAM 28) then definitely a T dial, but a B casebck would fit with both dials. The OP numbers do not seem to follow any particular pattern - I know that the PAM004 has three different OP numbers. One of the gen forums has detailed tables listing all the OP numbers taken from records and gen watches - find it here: http://www.clubpanerai.com/index.asp?notizia=385&codice=15

Mmmmmm - all thing are possible!! The 6152 is probably the easiest to make as it is a very simple shape - if you can provide dimensions for me I can make enquiries about that as well.

Thanks Speedy - thats what I was sort of thinking!!

Do any of the pAM experts here know if the PAM 28a PVD would have had an AR coat? These were only produced in A and B years, A's having a T dial and B's with L dial. I have the T dial A series so not sure if it would have had an AR coat? Help please.

Just had a brainwave for my next project. Ususally I get these ideas as a result of something lacking with my own reps and one such annoyance is the crystal of my 6152 Marina Militaire. Even though I am lucky to have a Plexi glass already it is still the wrong shape. The correct shape is a solid crystal with a flat underside and a gentle curved top with vertical sides that are about 5mm high so the crystal sits out from the bezel by a couple of mm's. How many of you would be interested. This would be for all the vintage series with Molnija (have I got that right this time?) movts but not the cases with wire lugs. No idea of any costs yet but I am putting the feelers out to prospective makers so please indicate your interest.

2893 has the same thread size on the stem as the 7750 as far as I know.

Obviously you have a problem but to wind the watch the crown should not be pulled out. That is only to set the hands. It does sound as if the crown stem maybe a little short.

Maciek - if she ever wants to visit London I will be happy to show her around!!! (Not you - just her!!). My Grandmother was Polish. She does have very beautiful nails!! (Oh look at me - Got to pull myself together!!)

You sell out to the PAM cause - Breitling - really!!! (sorry Breitling fans). Actually that Ti model does look nice!!

All of the 44mm Luminor Marina series, GMT's, PWR Res and subs etc have the CG lever pointing up. All of the Chronograph models have the lever pointing down as does the fiddy and other 47mm models.

Yes Davidsens 188 handset is perfect and if he will supply you with 2 x 6o'clock subdial hands, which are the smaller ones, instead of the 2 larger 3 and 9 hands - they are absolutely perfect for the sub hands of the 212. Maybe he will sell this as a package ready to fit (I might suggest this to him). He is also working on hands for the Power reserve models and I think he might be persuaded to do the GMT hands in which case we can correct the minute hand length problem - another fault corrected!!! The advantga of these to the lumers among us is that they come ready lumed and scratch free. The plated hands are difficult to do becasue of scratching them.

Guys I am now able to offer an AR coating service on an anytime - any quantity basis. This means I can send one or a dozen, and there is a choice of Blue or Purple coats. The cost is a measly £45UK which includes shipping. Now here's the awkward bit - it would be far easier to send me cash for this with the crystal as I have to pay in cash (this is why they will do them one at a time as this is not a dedicated run) so there will be no pp charges, only exchange rate charges (so send in UK Sterling please). Also this company are able to manufacture Sapphire crystals so we could have another source for runs of Fiddy etc. I will have to see if the price is cheaper then the US firm that I have been collaborating with Jonathan for the 212's. Anyone who is having a cyclops would be advised to have the AR done after cyclops is fitted otherwise newton rings will appear on the rep cyclops due to them being glass.

Ah yes, but mine has Swiss 7750, correct (almost dial) and the rotor from the asian version!!! Sapphire is infinitely stonger than mineral - Mineral is actually just plain glass - same stuff you have in your windows!!!

One more thing - full marks to Jonathan who first suggested this to me a couple of weeks ago and has done all the usual running around phoning and emailing etc. Taking on the experimental/genius modding mantle is spreading it seems - well done J. Who has the best PAM's - WE DO!!!!!!!

Tell you what it didnt half go with a bang!!! Dave I have the new one here, just waiting for Davidsen to send the right hands (he sent silver ones!!) - sorry!!!

Gentlemen, I thought I would treat you to a little review of the new version 3 of the PAM 024. So, this morning my trembling hands tore open the package from Andrew that had just been delivered (faultless service by the way). First thing I noticed is how much heavier and better made it fells than the asian movt version (which uses a tiny generic movt with a large plastic spacer ring). So what's good about it. I am not sure if it's the same factory making all the subs but the case is better finished, the bezel has a super smooth 12 click around the whole dial action (more about this later). The dial has the usual lume job (not very good). The luminous dot on the bezel is underneath a little clear lens - nice touch. The bezel markers are much more like the gen, low on the bezel and better finished, and this is the problem with the asian movt versions - their markers are very sharp edged and stick up much higher than the gen which makes them vulnerable to knocks, although better than the Arktos. And the bad - well here comes the history lesson. This version has a brushed bezel but the case number on the rear shows it an A series which means that this should have a polished bezel. The D series onward PAM 24 had a brushed bezel, 15 click per quarter and the minute markers from 12-3 on the bezel. Other big difference is with the dial markers - they are the same as the 199 but should not be raised off the dial. The 24 has marker dots printed onto a white background (visible at the edge) but not really an easy DIY mod so best left as is. Date mag is usual but at least the font is ok (and no sunken datewheel on these) and with the new cyclops and an AR should be the bollox!!! Oh-- and an upgrade to a VJ 7750 in the future. So first thing I had to do was get out the polishing wheels and bingo - polished bezel and markers. Stuck on the bling strap and here you go (excuse the photos - no time to set anything up). Heres the watch as it comes (excuse me please dealers, yes this is a factory pic - not mine) Caseback with A series number And here is the polished bezel - New photo and much better. Just a little peek at the Pre-A project!!! Temporary dial as experiment for the moment!!

Could easily be done - shave off the lug ends of the strap. You need to do it carefully so as to keep the ends neat. It's only 2mm wider so 1 mm each side. Try it!!

Just to add a little something here - all 3 variants of the 212 only have mineral glass crystals. Fine until you break one as I did for one of our members!! Luckily I was able to source a spare but they are rarer than rocking horse [censored] so this is a got to have accessory especially for those that spent the big money on the Swiss movt version - as I did!!

If the chrono functions normally otherwise then most likely the hand is slipping on the hand tube. The Zigmeister has a post somewhere about how to fix it on the 196/188 models where this was a known problem. I use an Araldite epoxy resin (metal bond) product to fix them.

Nice find - not seen that before. Not a PAM in sight though!!!