ryyannon

I think she died of a broken heart after you stopped posting there.... or maybe it was when you refered to her as 'Sugar-[censored]'...?

@Slay: I almost forgot: be sure to ask your dear freund Ms Shat-On to come along - we'd love to meet her....

Not a Blackseal case, Slay: totally different case for the Rusky Molinija movements... :-)

My head is starting to spin....I'm losing track of models movements and casebacks..... What I can say is that my vintage 2533 with the Molnija (glad to see it spelled correctly - I kept messing it up) movement has a perfectly wonderful sandwich dial with a lovely beige-pale yellow lume (not white) set off by slighter yellower hands. In short, exactly what you see in the WM version I've posted, except for a different color lume... Other than doing a custom job of modding, I can't imagine having something better or more satisfying than what I've already got on my wrist.... If we manage a new GTG here in Paris, I'll ask Pugwash to photograph it so you'll see for yourself. Like your one-off, it's possible that a number of variations on the same theme have appeared over the last six months. Essentially being a connaisseur's piece, there hasn't been much feedback on these - not enough to track all the transformations and slight differences from dealer to dealer as time goes by.....

I knew that the French government was out of money, but not to the point of obliging their secret agents to sell their straps on RWG. Since Slay seems to be such a fan, perhaps he'll make a donation to keep France from bankruptcy....

There are two different 47mm vintage cases as well, depending on the movements inside. The same holds true for the 45mm vintage cases. Display backs for one model but not for the other. Can be confusing as hell.....

With that movement and all the attention to detail, that's totally in another league compared to my mass-produced 2533. On the other hand, and at this point in my interest in the hobby, I'd be incapable of investing the time, money and skill necessary to producing a one-of-a-kind beauty as yours.... While we're on the subject of unique, handcrafted vintage Paneraii, take a look at what adeeos has put together over on TRC: http://www.replicacollector.com/members/in...showtopic=26287

From what I see on Josh's and Andrew's sites, there are currently TWO versions of the 45mm Radiomir-cased vintages: one with the Russian Moljot movement and another with an Asian Unitas. Ease case has slightly different dimensions, the Moljot being 1mm thinner than the Asian. Whlle the Asians do come with a display back, the Russian movemnts invariably have a solid steel back. The cases being different, I don't think that the casebacks are interchangable. That's the difference, and that's the problem. @Slay: Like I'm saying, these cases are not the standard Black Seal cases....rather doubt that it would work. It looks like Chris has been trying and so far has not succeeded.....

Ok, Slay - we'll try to live with the possibility of not having a beer with you..... I'll PM you my home phone and mobile number just in case.

The Ethels AND the Kates. Musn't forget the Kates.

Chris, What you've done with the Base should work perfectly with a 26mm strap - I'm sure you can even get away with using a 24mm as you've done, without running to much danger of it slipping off. I'd say you were home free on this particular project! Triple Cowbell to celebrate!

Chris, Please refer to my easy-to-understand diagram! :-) Anyway, it's clear that your model is a true fixed lug case....don't know the source, but with those that Andrew is selling (at least the one I have) the springbar is hidden by the strap - like on any 'normal' watch. The lugs only appear fixed because we've all become used to the fact that they were previously (my supposition). Incidentally, by wrapping the springbar with a length of Scotchtape, I increased the circumferance to the point where it was quite easy fitting it back into the tiny holes at the end of each L-shaped arm of the lugs. I strongly recommend anyone interested in one or more of the traditional Pam vintage series to look into Andrew's selection - they're inexpensive, very well made and readily accessible. The money you save with one of these can be reinvested in knockout straps, vintage-ized hands & lume and whatever else you feel is necessary. As for me, I'm delighted to have found a 2533 which is virtually indistinguishable from the WM version I was looking for - for about one-fifth of the price!

Has anyone ever found one/been there/done this? The caseback is usually solid on this model. There's gotta be a way.....

Hot news for the two or three or people who are actually interested in the question: This afternoon, seated in the sun on the terrace of a local café and having nothing better to do with my pointless existence, I mucked around with an appropriate tool (a wooden matchstick) within the strap-end and one of the fixed lugs of my lovely 2533, and sure enough, out popped an (approximately) 1.5mm springbar. Although getting it back together again will probably take hours, it's interesting to note that Andrew's (and perhaps Josh's, if he has the same supplier) 45mm vintage cases are - probably even unbeknowngst to both gentlemen - equipped with springbars - meaning that straps can be changed easily and ad infinitum if one so desires. The strap which the watch came with is a 24mm replacement for the awful-looking riveted original equipment. At 26mm, it probably would not even be necessary to fit the springbar - there's enough horizontal prolongation on both sides of the prongs to ensure a tight fit. Since I don't do digital photos, I'm including a schematic diagram of the situation for those who are English disadvantaged. Even though it's not as good as a picture, it might be worth all the words I've used trying to clearly describe the situation. (Not to scale): Let the slanted vertical lines represent each side of the lugs; the horizonal line the (horizontal) prolongation of each (approximately 0.4mm), and the dotted lines the free space found between (approximately 2mm). Clear as a bell? Here we go: /-- ------------------ --/ Of course, the representation of the second lug (right-hand side) is backwards - it should be slanting in the other direction) but that's the best I can do with my vastly simplified iMac keyboard which dates from 1903. But I'm sure most of you got it anyway..... All that remains is to inform Trusty and Josh about this hidden and most exciting feature of the vintages they're both selling, except that I rather doubt that they really care very much. Anyone contemplating the purchase of one of these 45mm watches might care a lot, which is why I've written what now amounts to a small book describing my experiences with the fixed-lug issue. If I do get in touch with them (only Andrew, since Josh has already said 'niet') I'm going to enquire about the possibilities of a display back: who knows, maybe instead of the Moljot movements they think is in there, we'll discover that these watches actually come with Corteberts..... With a dispaly back and the Russian movement - not the ugliest in the world for sure - this 3-watch series (2533, California & Base) will be irresistable must-haves for anyone interested in having a pretty credible vintage but not possessing the capital and the patience to deal with WM - who seems pretty busy turning out Rolex vintages for muchos $$$$$$ at the moment anyway. If anyone else reading this has info concerning fitting a display back to the 45mm Radiomir case (apparently not the 'standard' Radiomir cases, since there's about 1mm difference in the thickness according to the dealer's specs) please post about it here. It would be wonderful to discover that a display back solution exists, making these vintage Paneraii very satisfying replicas indeed!

Just a word to our Paris members concerning the fact that one of TTK's favorite persons - the Incredible Slayer - is going to be visiting the city next weekend. We still have time to hide the Eiffel Tower before the Abomidable Slayerman comes and takes possession of all the top models and Ferraris of Paris. With a bit of luck, we might even be able to sit down and hoist a few with Germany's answer to the Dirty Bomb before he gets deported: I know that I'm certainly up for the experience. An excellent opportunity for catching up on Pugwsh's intensive tour of the massage-parlours of Thailand; the possibility of unforgettable ride around the block behind a blindfolded Usil doing wheelies all the way; Golfman's latest exploits as a secret agent for French...umm....Intelligence, and another chance for several of our more timid Parisian members to finally crawl out of the woodwork and into the light of an RWG GTG. More perhaps later, as other Paris members and Herr Uberschweinhundmeister himself check in....

Hey, glad to see you back here, Miss U!

Are you as funny when you're sober, Slay? .

I've always beleived that there was nothing on earth that could frighten Chuck Norris..... until now.

Very instructive and funny at the same time..... My warmest regards to the Green Goblin - a natural actor!

That's a clever solution, Chris - particularly your offsetting the cut to one side (which would have never occured to me) .... and I'm glad it worked out. The watch already looks much better with the new strap. I'm curious to know why you chose a 24mm over a 26mm - even a 45mm case takes a 26mm strap - or am I mistaken about this? @Finepics: beautiful strap!

I'm not really (!) trying to criticize France....whose politics are pretty much as sordid, dirty, stupid, unforgivable and selfish as those of the U.S. - and most other countries that consider themselves to be world-class players. It's just that one expects France to be a little better - especially since France, in its own irratating way (very similar to the U.S. with its 'saving the world for democracy') tries to give the world the impression that its domestic and foreign policies ARE better than everyone else's.... On the whole, I'd rather have this conversaton over 'une chope de biere' (or two) at our next Paris GTG, FasTTap. I'm sure that we'll find we agree perfectly on just about everything... :-)

Hmm.. This sounds like a job for CRAAAAAAAAAAAASSY SALESMAN and his WRISTWRAP WATCHES !!!! (I wonder if he's still out there?)

So for several of you guys, how much is too much to spend on supporting RWG? (Some people have high incomes, others are cheap. I'm a bastard, and I admit it.....) Also, it looks like I've killed this thread!

Brilliant! I think the American's have discovered a new, cheap energy source..... Get ready for cars and spaceships powered by Diet Coke and Mentos! Peak Oil? No probema.