fishgodeep

Muchos gracias....

I very nearly parted with this due to the so wrong green lume ....but excluding this the dial is so good IMHO and seeing a post by Vacuum showing what he could do with it ...I decided to give it go. Also fitted a thicker crown which beefs up the whole piece. I purchased a custom strap from V in his latest Greek hide - this is destined for an 002 or 003 in the making but I like this strap so much I had to fit it to this 082 to start wearing it in It has completely transformed the look of the watch - maybe it's a trick of the eye/brain or something but fitting this strap has actually improved the lume colour ....don't ask me how but it has !!!! This is without doubt one of the best straps in my collection - the leather does not compare to anything else I have and I'm sure it will age better than I will... Thanks to Davidsen , Vacuum and V Enjoy

No 3 out the box from Ziggy - my 005 Luminor Marina Logo .......I really like this watch - as far as reps go I struggle with the sandwich dials and much prefer the painted dials for better accuracy - although far from perfect still. Specs : Jimmy Fzu Case G series Case back and CG Ziggy has clear-coated / re-painted the dial + re-lumed Palp 2.1mm crown fitted Genuine Sapphire with true AR coating. Fitted with a genuine Louisiana Grade A alligator - black with titanium stitching and brushed pre-v style buckle - from Europelli Thanks to Ziggy once again .... Enjoy

2nd out of the box back from Ziggy - my 5218 201a. This started life as one of Davidsen's latest pieces but has had the following "cosmetic surgery" Swiss ETA 6497- unmodified Ziggy has re-painted and lumed the dial - slightly aged finish and toned down aged tritium lume with non-matching hands Thick Palp crown fitted Non AR crystal fitted Case and CG - scuffed a bit for 15 years+ wear and tear Case back scruffed a bit and removed the paint filling the 018 serial number Now the strap has also had some serious attention - Started as a Toscana vintage military calf 26mm V has spent some serious time condtioning the leather and re-creating 15 years of wear. V also cut the strap down to 24mm - leaving some nice looking rough and "old edges" Finally V fitted a rep buckle from a strap I purchased from Rolli- IMHO a damn good looking pre-vendome logo buckle. There's one last thing I want to do to this to try and improve the look of the dial - it was too risk to try and widen the indices and close the gaps on the loops on 6 and 9. I found this old article on paneristi which has a table showing the different process / materials used by Panerai when luming pre-vendome and Pre-A dials. http://www.paneristi.com/archives/PreA_Pan..._A_Panerai.html Reading this article it would seem the key to achieving a fat tritium lume look is down to the painting of the vertical edges and a finish with varnish ....Has anyone had good results varnishing a 5218 201a dial or similar Ziggy ....is this within your scope ? Thanks to all the members who assisted on this piece. Enjoy

Package #2 received back from Ziggy - first out the box this rather tasty PAM -61 with my personal favourite tobacco brown dial Specs: Swiss ETA 6497-1 - Unmodified Gen Sapphire with true AR Re-lume of dial and hands in C3 H3 Cannon Pin and Hour wheel fitted Re-Brushed case and CG - flush lever pin Fat 2.1mm crown fitted Davidsen C series case back Finished with a Giovanni E Figlio - "Palombari" in mogana with a flat vintaged steel GPF style buckle. Thanks Ziggy - great job and service as always Enjoy :-)

Senape...guaranteed satisfaction I think......:-) Nice buckle too for an MP .....understated and kind of "refurbished" looking Simon

Thanks Kruzer....your review has probably saved me a few quid ! :-)

always a quality show Rolli .....wear them well!!!!

Shall we tell them now or later....? :-) S

I buy this theory - that's why I have many more caseback than watches !!!!

Hi Lello....hope you are well again Great news on the DW - I'll take 2 of these please for 236 and 196. Thanks Fishgodeep

V ...as always superb craftsmanship and excellent photos. I actually like the tapered end on the black strap regadless....fits with the contemporary sticthing and a classic buckle would look very nice The dive buckle is not right for an historic PAM ...this is the right call IMHO, certainly not for day wear. I do think the Kevlar with this buckle is a "classier" looking alternative to rubber and if you are "aqua active" (I wanted to avoid "into water sports" !) its a sound option. I'm just really looking to receiving the exquisite Greek hide strap and giving it some wrist time to get that patina going!!!!! Cheers Simon

No...boll*cks Mr Boot Sir.....these vintage projects are inspirational to newbies like my self....more please! I found I entered the PAM hobby at 183 and have gone mostly backwards ever since. I think it takes some knowledge, skill , contacts and patience to pull off a decent vintage project......please keep the ball rolling! Best regards Simon

Boomchackawowwow...springs to mind ....that is the most authentic looking vintage panerai I have ever seen ...a masterpiece that could only be replaced by an orginal! Congratulations are due..

I agree .....the web makes the world a smaller place but CONUS still sucks if you see something you like and are in the EU..... Do you think we should come up with FUKEU instead.........kinda rolls of the tongue well..........you can work the letters out I'm sure !!! PS : No offence to our CONUS friends! Simon

Thanks Marcus........you made a superb watch and Ziggy made the seemingly impossible ....possible!! Cheers Simon

Thanks all for the positive comments - great satisfaction when the finished article gets expert seal of approval. V- you're right ....this is the metal bracelet watch - Rob has my old case 196 in the workshop for a re-lume and quasi Swiss upgrade - I just need a date wheel from Lello when he's back up and running.....or working etc. The Europelli gator on the 000 is destined for the 196 . You have made me think though .....the Kevlar might look good on this 236 ....think the chunky brushed buckle will give it a sporty / race track look and less sub-ocean than you might first think. I'll check it out and post some photos later Cheers Simon

Thanks V.......really appreciate your feedback and expertise!!! For me the painted dials just seem to be that bit better than the Luminor Sandwich dials and once Rob get's his hands on them the results are outstanding. This may get re-cased ....I think you know where the CG at least is going !!!! The Europelli was quite reasonable IMHO ......with 5% dicount it was less than $200 shipped ....I think Drew only had 2 left and in a sale so that's why I jumped. Hell of a lot cheaper than Simona's nice looking gator as well. I spent $150 on a pile of cr*p from Banda which went straight on the Bay ...where as this one is a keeper for sure! Cheers Simon

Kostas - Brand New Kevlar will be with you by the weekend ....I liked it that much I bought a second and just received yesterday! If you like as much as I do........I suggest a trade for the new custom-made super hide could be an option!! :-) Simon

Thanks Tourby .....I have been collecting for some time but just starting to get the modding bug! 2 more base CDG movements please and some extra tabs an screws please!!! Your movements work and look great in the Logo and pre-v models.... Cheers Simon

I suggest getting a new GF....may be cheaper in the long run.......

Thanks Ziggy & SSSurfer for your expert eyes..........Joshua's going to exchange for a brand new piece ....can't say fairer than that. Keep it fake ....but keep it LOOKING real....that's what this forum's all about!!! Simon

Totally like this Kevlar strap...haven't worn enough to get funky but it' supposed to be knife /bullet proof material so can only assume it's tough enough for wear and tear - unsure about funkproof. I prefer this to rubber if you want to get wet with you watch though - the chunky strap & buckle balances a chunky watch on the wrist....the rubber with 22mm looks just a bit to dainty for me.....

Oh this is looking very very good indeed.....greased please Mister V ......let's hope the bloody postmen don't go on strike again!!!!

Gents...thanks for the detailed comments ....yes under a loupe its deffo a smaller cyclops or larger hole ....1 of the 2. Also checked on a few sites and it's correct on Angus, TWP and even Josh's site....!!! I have put this back to Joshua so let's see what happens.....I expect that as a bloody good customer I'm going to get a new crystal at the very least. Clearly these are assembled in factories and people make mistakes ......as long as it can be put right I'm happy. Once again - really appreciate the extra detailed eyes.....that's what I like about this place ......expertise on demand!!! Best regards Simon