skcheng

That would be the OEM Tan calf strap. If the buckle has the OP logo, then it might be an OEM MX strap. The problem with that strap is that the standard length is 115/75 and I find it to be a little small for my tastes. Lately, I prefer a much longer strap. But deals can be found on the common OEM Tan. An OEM thumbnail buckle will cost you about $125 or so. I think they sell for $150 at retail.

I actually like the "Gregoire" style buckle. I bought several of them from Walter in Canada and I like them. They are big though, but since they are curved, they seem to fit well. Other buckles that I really like are the Germano GPF style buckle. Very true to the original vintage Panerai buckle. I also like the various GPF flat Zinc buckles by TC, Simona and the one on my Tootall ammo strap With regards to curved buckles, I really like the Strapmasters, the Simona, and once again the Germano. For the most part, I prefer the sewn-in style buckle. Not exactly "to topic here", but I thought I'd chime in.

There's a lot of stuff, but one of the easy tells is if the CG doesn't fit the case perfectly. The lever pin is an easy one. Many CGs have a very thin pin and you'll never see that on newer PAMs. The top of the pin is thick and the bottom is thinner. The REP pins are one diameter from top to bottom and the GENs are thicker on the top and thinner on the bottom. Fit/finish on the case varies much on REP cases. A GEN case won't show machining marks and have rough or sharp edges like the REPs. The JimmyFu case is really nice. Perfect polish and very nice lugs. Some REPs have very short lugs and thick straps don't work. That's all that I can think of. The dial are entirely different story

Rolli, you do have the nicest collection!!!! I love the brown dial version of this watch and the lugs look awesome!! BTW, I have a long wknd coming out. I'll shoot you out some pics of my real/fake gator strap sherwin

I have a fully modified Angus 177H and it's very nice. My first REP Panerai purchase. Angus is really a joy to deal with. Highly recommended seller imho.

There's no need to be scared of modders. They're all human like the rest of us, but overall everyone does a really decent job with fit/finish, lume, movement servicing etc.. Davidsen makes some great products and many items that no one else sells. But QC is never going to be perfect like we expect it to be. I inspected about 8 Arktos watches on Canal Street recently and only one was what I considered in very nice condition. The rest had gouged up poor fitting crown guards and a host of other issues. Initially, I sent a lot of stuff back. Insured, EMS back to Hong Kong and I waited and waited. Sometimes I got a replacement that was better and sometimes it was worse. I actually now have almost every watch serviced and superlumed (Davidsen's is somewhere btwn rep lume and superlume) and I love the feel of a serviced, cleaned movement with proper crown and crown guard fit. I can personally attest to the wonderful work done by Vacuum. He's a total pleasure to deal with, does absolutely great work, and stands behind all of his work. Plus I've learned a ton about watches in the process which I find very satisfying. Eventually if I have the time, I'll start fixing some of the smaller stuff myself, and I'm sure I can count on Vacuum for his help. Until then, I'm happy shipping every one of my watches out for a full massage. I would think that someone like Vacuum could fix your crown/guard issues easily and you won't need to send stuff back to the far East. You'll actually save money in the long run. By all accounts, the new Davidsen Fiddy is a truly gorgeous watch. Don't let some small QC issues get you down. My 2c

If that strap had horns, it would be Hellboy

First of all, I think your watch looks great. I tend to prefer the "newer" looking vintage watches, but I can truly appreciate the hard work and effort it took to create an "aged" look. But most of the vintage watches I see have a thinner font. My Marina Militaire dial has the thinner font and Marco carefully vintageized the entire dial, and not just the numerals. I have a lot of vintage style straps. I really like the look of the Kevin/BigB ammo straps but I've never owned one. I also have a few of the Simona Vintage Tan straps which are really nice. Just great leather and very well made strap. Marco recently brought me a very thick Italian vintage leather strap and I love that too. The Greg Crazy Horse I love too.....but I think that strap looks nicer on my newer PAM. I have three of those with different color stitching. ' Angus/Davidsen and others sell the Brevettato caseback which is nice and I'm currently looking for just a plain polished SS caseback. I have Marco's plexi crystal for the caseback and I love it. Looks and feels GREAT!! That's about it. I think you've covered all of the bases. You'll have to spend $150K for the GEN to get a little closer.

Part of the reason is accuracy. I have a GEN vintage 1996 Sub and the mid-links are hollow. Maybe I'm just accustomed to the hollow links and the extra small link by the lugs, but I prefer it over the newer solid mid links. So if your Sub has lugholes, it should also have a hollow mid-link bracelet.

I have a 7.25" wrist myself and I prefer longer straps now with tail. I almost can't stand wearing my 115/75 straps anymore and I've give most of them away. I think the bare minimum length that I now like is 125/80 and that gets small quickly with the thicker straps. I have 150/90 and 160/90 Simona vintage tan straps and I love them. But this is definitely a "taste" thing. I think 140/80 is almost always safe as long as the holes are punched for a normal sized wrist. It's the vintage look!! good luck, sherwin

It's not that easy. And yes you do have to take the hands off and modify the movement. I would suggest using one of the modsters. But heck, if you're comfortable taking a watch apart.......

You need a Ti finishing brush. They sell them on ebay or other places. Quite an easy thing to do too. Good thing it's your REP. It's a heartbreak when you do that to your GEN.

The GEN crown guard for that series is brushed, not polished. All of the base/marina models are currently brushed. Other things I notice about your watch is the recessed cannon pin which can be fixed. And the pin on the crown guard lever should be flush with the crown guard. Here is where the obsession starts

Hey Kruz, Email and PM sent. Marco (Madasboot) and I were walking the streets in NY just last week. It was a hoot. Marco picked up a really nice Arktos for only $90. I need a GEN auto crown if any are still available. Pls email/PM me when you get a chance. thanks much, sherwin skcheng@optonline.net

Showoff. That sure is an awesome watch!!

I love the watch. It looks really awesome. The plain wheel on the 616 looks better and better to me!! The dial is REALLY vintageized whereas mine is lightly done, but I like it. It looks like it spent plenty of time in the ocean with the Flottiglia Mas Great watch!!!! sherwin

The spring bars are really easy to use, eliminate the need for tubes and are easily purchased from River for 44 and 47mm PAMs. All you need is one end of a paperclip

Marco purchased the ONLY nice Arktos in all of Chinatown I have an 089 dial/hands if you'd like to build your watch!! I have a spare Jimmy Fu case/bezel also. You'll just need a 2893-2 Swiss movement from our friend Tourby sherwin

Simply awesome!!! My favorite vintage 6152 to date Awesome strap too!! Sherwin

Has anyone heard recently from Mark? His inbox here on the boards is full and he is not responding to my emails. I know that he's had some personal issues, but it would be nice for some kind of update? Thanks!!

That's a little discouraging. I bought a datewheel specifically for the 2893-2 GMT movement. Oh well.......

PM Sent!! thanks, skc

I didn't realize that Palp made auto PAM sized crowns. Your crown looks great, but perhaps slightly too large in comparo to the GEN. But I can only see that when I stare really hard with my eyes squinted for 5 minutes or so LOL

Where did you get GEN hands??? Do you have an extra set?? I really need some......can't seem to find them anywhere.