z3k0

So, after long time in the making, I'm almost satisfied with this one. Like on most PAM reps, CG is biggest problem (for me at least), and on this one I'm not quite satisfied with it. I tried to refinish it, and polish the pin, but pin hole was already too wide on top, I couldn't really get results I wanted. This one started with one of cartel "best" versions, that was sold some 1,5 years ago, and one of old-school versions that used to came with 21.600 movement, and incorrect dial. I managed to source modified swiss movement in the meantime, and had it serviced. Then I spent some time trying to source crystal, unfortunately sapphire for this one is next to impossible to source. Since I really hate "blue hue" AR, cartel version didn't really do it for me. And, I destroyed mine while trying to remove AR. Then I managed to source correct shape minerals, without any AR, and had them aftermarket coated - I actually got 5 of them, just to be sure . Hands are combination of hour and minute hands from cartel version and second and chrono hands from old-schoold version (direct fit to ETA 7750). Movement rotor is correctly engraved version from old-school version - cartel rotors have crappy engravings. In the end I sent dial (taken from cartel version) and hands to master The Zigmeister for treatment, and voila - it's probably as good as it gets, unless sourcing some gen parts. So this is how it turned out in the end: The Zigmeister's magic: regards

Just been talking with one of dealers about some parts for ROO, he told me factories close down tomorrow, and will be back in business in approx. 3 weeks. Just FYI ... regards

AP in Richemont ?? Not really sure about that They are quite proud of their independence, actually ... regards

Interesting strap, I always thought that HBB needed some leather shoes to be really classy watch. The watch itself, I won't comment, not my cup of tea anyhow BTW, what is this post doing in "General discussion" ??? regards

+1

Thanks guys ! DSN really outdid himself with this one, 028A is next on my list, just don't know what to do with CG, decent PVD CGs are really hard to get. Proper CG for this is elusive A-F series CG. Currently only choice is gen or JF, but both are quite hard to get, like you all probably know. I'm still hoping someone will produce it in some decent quantity, there are lot of H-series/PreV CGs around now (Sead, Toro Bravo, V), we need A-F series ! BADLY regards

Got this puppy two months ago, it was about time to put it in front of my glass This thing is great, quality, movement, almost everything - except crown and CG. Crown is standard DSN stuff, but CG is so thin (when looked at from profile) that it looks funny. So, CG was immediately replaced, with one of Cartel ultimate auto CGs I had in my parts box. Until I manage to get something like JF or gen, this one will do nicely. Crown on these pics is T60, few days ago I replaced it with T48. So, lets see some action regards

Yeah, diver is cool, let's hope rep factories will do this, together with older scubas, sometime this year. BTW, price for Diver is interesting - entry level, $15k for no-complications, not limited edition, plain SS/rubber watch is ... hmm ... just a bit over the top. It is in-house movement, but still ... for that kind of money you can get PAM 233 ... ah, well, one more reason to hope for decent rep sometime soon regards

Yes !! Finally Ti case for ROO, hopefully JBB will now be re-released with correct case regards

OMG, this is frightening, how do you guys know all this things about me ... does this mean I'm addicted is there cure for this ? :Jumpy: regards

These are previously released models with movement upgraded to Swiss 7750 - e.g. Tag Carreras, IWC Spitfires etc. regards

Email sent with order, keeping fingers crossed for spring loaded crowns Generally speaking, these will be right for any 44mm luminor case PAM. You just have to choose right material (SS/PVD/Ti) and right stem size regards

Really admire your CG work - could you please explain how do you "progress" grits, do you go from finer grit to more coarse ones or other way round, and do you polish first ? regards

For all Montoya lovers waiting for sec-at-12 version here it is: regards

Thank you all guys for your comments. That is why I love this place - you can learn something new every day. Side effect is that you are never actually done with your projects, there is always something better you can do :) Exactly, that is why I like to do some research when choosing what to go for. regards

I'm trying to put together fiddy for myself for a while, and it usually gets postponed by some other priorities. So far I've done some research, and got myself movement, dial, hands, case and about to order crystal from DSN. I have one qeustion - what is so amazing about EL CG and caseback ? I know about his front loading case, his dial etc, but I'm interested in CG and caseback. Some of you probably noted there is one set for sale currently, but I'm kind of put off by price asked. That is why I'm asking here, since CG and caseback are currently missing parts for my fiddy, I'm wondering is it worth, compared to e.g. DSN CG and caseback ? Thanks and regards

It is again possible to search on three digit numbers and get some results, yipiii ... great job BTW, any chance of PM archiving function, or even better - any chance of expanding PM capacity for plat memebers regards

Hmm ... so, you are saying old cartel autos have decent crystals ? How are cyclops on these ? Maybe there is even cheaper solution: LINK regards

So, recently I got DSN 240, and while I was really impressed with most of the watch, crystal was disappointing. Magnification is a bit weak, but worst part is AR - it is real crap, probably more pronounced by the fact that dial is tobacco. I removed it and installed crystal from cartel ultimate 229 I have. AR looks much better, but problem with cartel crystal is too much magnification (going into distortion), because DSN dial is much thicker that cartel dials, so datewheel is further away from crystal. DSN crystal is sandwich type, cyclops is 7mm. Any suggestions what to do with it are welcome - I can strip AR and have it coated, but what to do with cyclops ? How do you remove cyclops from crystal ? Are there any aftermarket alternatives for cyclops ? Is it good idea to separate two parts of crystal before coating ? Well, you get the point - I need some advice how to proceed, I'm sure someone already dealt with DSN auto crystals. regards

Little late for Halloween party, but pumpkin for me today regards

Well, Radiomirs never really interested me, but this one looks cool. And they are even working on new plates for 6497, that resemble Minerva movement. Interesting development ... regards

164 for casual friday, hopefully one day it'll have Leo DW ... regards

Wow, so it's basically half-plastic cut-down 7750 ... how in the world did they manage to get functioning chrono with such few parts regards

I'm confused - isn't it other way round ? I mean 316L is used (at least based on dealers descriptions) since I first opened Trusty's site more than 3 years ago And I've seen 316F just in latest rollie reps (ones with rolex-copy movements). Anyhow, I would also like to know difference. regards, Ivan

Are you sure TAG/Breitling are doing anything apart from maybe some refinishing to ETA movements they use ? You have some reference for that ? I'm not saying you are wrong, but it's just that I was under impression, especially for TAG, that they use high quality ETAs (you can get COSC grade movements from ETA). BTW, movements for Hublot used to be made by La Joux-Perret (well, at least HUB 41 movement in HBBs), but I think now they claim to have in-hose movements ... regards