PAMman

In my experience all EMS packages get a new Parcleforce number once they are scanned at Heathrow. You can catch the new number if you are constantly following the tracking on Parcelforce Worldwide, using the EMS number. The first record at Heathrow will actually have the Parcelforce number on the results screen but it's easy to miss. After that the EMS number will draw a blank and the first you will know is the actual delivery. Interestingly, the only time I have known of an Asian or US package going through customs is via EMS - it happens every time but mostly doesn't raise any charges. Regular Airmail seems to avoid customs altogether.

The only cases that I have found which are similar in terms of shape and finish are genuine D series Panerai.

And the JF parts are 100% compatable with any gen parts that you may be lucky enough to find.

Try www.TZ-UK.com - linked to Timefactors. Both owned by Eddie Platts, the creator of the 'Dreadnought'. Great forum and a sound bunch of enthusiasts, including a few of 'our own'... Bricktop, Pugwash etc. However, introduce yourself and make a few posts first or else you will be flamed.

The #2 and #5 pics are of a rep while the rest are gen. Want to bet which watch the buyer will receive?

Hands should be matt black and AFAIK this is a straight swap except for the GMT hand which is a different size. Edit - sorry I must have been typing while the above was posted.

Matt.

Every time that I respond to this type of thread my advice is the same and I am more & more convinced that it is the correct approach. If you want the best modded rep of a PAM 111 type (E or H) buy neither. Instead, get a modded watch, but with the E type dial, a standard Swiss ETA 6497 movement (regular unaltered plates) and a solid SS B series caseback. The rep caseback is excellent and very accurate while the replicated 'Panerai' style movements won't fool anyone. The E type dial, which is the same for B - G series, is a more accurate replica than the H series dial anyhow and the solid SS caseback means that the rear is as close to perfect as it gets. Also no-one has been messing with the movement. It really is a no-brainer.

Excellent looking watch. Well done and the PVD looks superb.

The genuine white dial PAMs are very glossy - not at all similar to the black dials.

I have assembled a few and they have all fitted together perfectly. Also the gen CG fits JF's case (& vice versa) without any modification. Are you sure that both your case and CG are genuinely Jimmy Fu's? Some of the early rep cases were very good quality but didn't have the proper flat sections for the CG to sit onto. As a result a JF CG will not fit snugly at the outer corners, because this section of the case has a slight curve.

IMO the recent Panerai price increases will have little direct impact on the secondary market as it is the collectability of certain models which sets the price. However, there are a number of factors relating to the current models, in addition to the price increase, which are likely to combine to make the earlier models more attractive. I expect that the value of cared for preA and A series 'T' dials will increase significantly over the next 12 months as these will look a more attractive proposition and will ultimately be more exclusive than any of the current models. TIP: Buy a 2A or 2B 'T' dial in minty condition complete with all papers, boxes etc.

I have concerns relating to the height of the dial text. The genuine 036 used a different text height for MARINA MILITARE & PANERAI (smaller) compared to LUMINOR (taller). Davidsen has used the same text throughout and it is at least as high as the LUMINOR ought to be, and too high for the rest. In fact when I examine it closely it would appear that he has the LUMINOR smaller than the rest while it should be the other way around. Also the engraved recesses will need to be overfilled to give the proper T dial 'sausage' 3D effect. Fishgodeep's pic of the movement seems to be one of the earlier decorated ETA movements that DSN used, and these are excellent movements with proper blued screws, CdG stripes (under the foil plates) and the improved shock protection. Is he still offering these now? DSN's previous Ti crownguard was too chunky, with no curve on the top, and it really needs to be fully reshaped. Has anyone any experience of reworking one of these? I have one on his 036 case, with a hideous 'purple' PAM116 dial, but it is soooo wrong. Any tips on how to reshape it would be useful.

Agree fully. This should be easy but as the 036 was the only PAM with a display back that used this movement I doubt if a good rep will happen. You will have to buy a gen B, C or D 001 and swap the movements around. Then you will have 2 apparently genuine watches for the price of one as the solid back on the gen will hide the deception. You can always swap them back again and a 001 of this era isn't too costly to buy and shouldn't depreciate now - may even be a good investment. If a really accurate dial was available I would do it. I would sell a bunch of reps, buy the gen 001 and get the swap done. The standard of finish on the genuine Panerai movement is miles above the best Asian rep.

You have 2 issues. The first is that when you are setting the time the minute hand either jumps back when you push in the crown or there is a slack which take a minute or so before the minute hand moves forward, thus making your watch be 'slow' by 1 or 2 mins straight away. This can be avoided by setting the hands by adjusting the time BACK to the required time rather than forwards. This avoids leaving any 'slack' for the movement to take up. The second issue requires recalibration of the movement and you would be advised to get a new A7750 serviced properly first and recalibrated by a competent watchmaker.

I have a few (8 or 10) NOS black, PVD chrono cases. These are for the LeJour chrono and are similar (but not identical) to the Porsche Design or Heuer Pasedena / Pasadena chronos of the same era. Sinn use a similar shape case in SS or Ti for their 144. The case is designed for the ETA 7750 and was also used for a rarer 2-dial LeJour chrono which used a Valjoux 7733 or 7734. I have only the main casing which is black PVD with the tachy scale printed, white on black, on the inner bezel. There was a rash of different brands which used similar cases in the '70s & '80s but LeJour were probably the best known brand for this specific variant. These would be excellent for someone who wished to recase a tatty LeJour chrono or similar.

It's not dead but will take a considerable time to thrash out the details. I am pursuing the local (EU) option and would welcome any Asian 'dial maker' contact to compare quality and cost.

Here's the link. I'm actually wearing mine at the moment and I have to agree that it's a great watch. hxxp://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=cd01ch_mod1.htm

I had a package which was flagged up as 'With Customs for charging' but it arrived yesterday without any charge. In my experience those items which come to UK via EMS are the most likely to be examined. Regular Airmail sails right on through.

Rolli, you have a PM.

We NEED a dealer / collector who is willing to act as a conduit with the factory. ANYONE???

Excellent photos of a job well done. BTW, you have a PM.

A gen for sure. Get one of the original plain bezel 024 reps, polish the bezel, add this dial, a Swiss 7750, a JF CG, a genuine (Kruzer) or Palp crown and you will have one cracker watch. However, if this gets bid up you will have spent a lot of dosh for a rep, but what's new?

That's true for most items where availability is not a critical issue. However, for desirable items which are no longer available and where these are already in enthusiasts hands, it's really a combination of 'how much someone is prepared to pay' and 'how much is needed to persuade the current owner to sell'. As far as Jimmy Fu's stuff is concerned I don't think that anyone bought them with a view to trading so the current owners will be placing a value similar to the potential buyers' upper limit, rather than considering a realistic profit margin. Hence the high price and as a result few of these are likely to be sold.

Hey, don't beat yourself up. Just don't fall for the 'Latest DSN = best' nonsense. It's a really 'cockeyed' case and no justification for it. There is a wealth of good reference material available (I have 150+ 5218/201A photos) and no excuse for producing inaccurate watches.