bruce79

Hey Victoria, I think that was me you were referring to about having a Simona sig. I have 3 of her straps and had a 4th but sold it. Currently I have a Simona vintage brown, vintage green, and vintage bordeaux. I absolutely love them...and beside my Simonas, the only other pam strap I own is a MP XI Tan Ambra. But Simona is my strap, without a doubt. I haven't had any issues with the stitching or crooked holes...all of mine have been perfect. Also, second hand is the only way to go. I paid about $120 each for both the vintage bordeaux and green and $150 for the vintage brown...all were essentially brand new though. Look on p*neristi, they pop up there all of the time. If you're looking for that final touch to take your pam to the top of the game, throw a Simona on it. You'll love it.

My entry: hommage piece,

I'd say forget it. Consider yourself lucky. Craigslist usually = b*llshit. Something is definitely going on here that is not good.

All, the search begins...jk, Absolutely stunning watch. I love base pams but I think I am inlove with your base pam...because of the dial.

@rodwc, I think you are understanding...the movement needs to go about 1-2mm deeper into the movement. However, machining the case isn't an option for me. I just wanted to verify that the case was indeed different on the 036 and FGD pretty much verified that for me. @ Fishgodeep, were you able to get it to fit, what was the final result? If this will not work and I cannot get a sandwich dial into the 036, I'll probably just sell/trade it as I'm really a base fan.

I've got a wild itch to do some swapping of parts with two of my pams. I've got a fully modded 112 from Josh and a stock thin dial 036 from Ruby. I want to put the movement and dial of my 112 into the case of Ruby's 036 to create a 176. Well I tried to insert them last night and found that the hole in the movement for the stem doesn't line up with the case hole for the stem. It was late last night and I didn't feel like fidgeting with it but has anybody else run into this problem? I was able to get the crown/stem inserted but only when the movement was tilted. Could it be that the inside case dimensions of Ruby's 036 are different from other standard pam reps or am I missing something? Looking at the inside of both cases, it looks like the lip where the dial sits inside the case is more shallow in the 036 case than in the 112 case, do you think this is to make up for the thin dial?

Thanks! I haven't been using anything on the compression ring when I press the crystal back into the case but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

I'm just curious, I know to silicon grease the case back gasket and the gasket in the crown but should I use silicon grease on the crystal gasket ring as well? Will this insure proper water resistance? Thanks.

Looks as though it was moved.

For me it really doesn't matter, I'm all about the reliability of the movement. Most of my problems in this rep game have been with faulty movements...and if the watch (rep or gen) doesn't tell time, what good is it? I don't mind the non swan neck movements and actually like the ETA 6497s with the old style bridges. I've got a Ti pam coming from a fellow member in the next day or two. I've been in contact with David about acquiring an old bridge 6497 with a superlumed 176 dial + hands. I just need to figure out if there are any issues with his dials fitting non DSN cases. Anyone care to chime in?

The movements in the POs have been questionable for quite some time. I ordered a UPO from Precious Time back in August of '07 and sent it back twice because it had shipped with an ETA 2846 and not the ETA 2824. He finally got it right after he talked to his supplier, months of waiting, and $$$ in shipping fees but it confirmed simple fact that the buyer must beware. To think that the supply of ETAs is not drying up would be foolish. The 2824 is being replaced by the 2842. The ETA is being replaced by the Asian clone 2836. Just know what you are buying, that's all.

Ah, so hence the PAV 99. It will be in the post Monday my good man. Nice pieces there! If you've got an extra dial, perhaps case back to spare. LMK!

Just know that all straps settle down a bit after wearing them for a while. I have thick straps (Simona) and not so thick (MP XI & PAV) both add to pams. I say that SC strap looks awful stiff because it's new...just let it break in a bit.

Well crystal sounds more pingy than thuddy so I guess the results of the afore mentioned test indicate it's mineral crystal. Fine with me though. Would it be foolish to AR coat a mineral crystal?

I know this question has been asked a million times but is there a way to tell (without any sort of machine or sensor) if a crystal is sapphire/mineral crystal vs. glass?

There is a stealth looking nylon velcro strap being sold by panatime at the moment, I've been tempted to pick one up. Check it out.

Rep=Hommage

Here are some reference pics...quick description--> 117 Case/crystal/caseback/crown guard/crown ETA 6497 with the old style bridges (fine with me, I like them ) Olive Base Dial with cream patina'd lume indices/hands. Dial has some minor/very small cracks for that added vintage look Gold hands have been vintagized. And to tie it all together a supple 26/26 JC Timber strap with vintage tail I've been enjoying it this last week or so but will probably look to trade it for a Ti pam in the very near future. Enjoy the pics.

Fascinating read!

That is quite the collection!!!...very nice pieces. :o

Well, no need to beat a dead goat but I think it's a bit unfinished. It's a got some good design ideas but like you said..

Holy Patina! That looks great V.

I take it on your boring Saturday evening, you were sampling some of the local spirits & wine...lol

Oddly enough, you can find some decent pam homage watches on Timezone...or for a cheap asian pam with non panerai marking on the dial, try josh or andrew.

Hey V, how does that 99 patina? Or have you worn it enough to notice yet?