PAMman

Count me in for the Panda version.

If the dial is to be fixed to have the markers pointing outwards then PLEASE fix the 'A's. The cossbars are still too low and look completely wrong. This was fixed on the subs so it can't be too difficult.

I would confirm with what Mark (Finepics) has said. The comparison of the rep with a gen 'H' series highlights the faults with the rep 'H' series as the rep display back and crownguard were originally cast for the 'F' series, and were the correct shape and size then. However Panerai introduced the new larger (Pre-V not pre-A) style crownguard for the G series and onwards, to include the current I series. The rep problem relates only to the use of the older pattern parts with the H series sandwich dials. Similarly the caseback was correct for the F series and the rep back was originally designated F 2052/4000 etc. The standard rep polished crownguard is similar to the genuine pre-A, A, B ......F series watches and is the correct shape and profile for that period. CONCLUSION?? - We need a top quality reproduction of the current Panerai CG to suit the current and Pre-V style replicas, as there is little discernable difference between them.

The original picture is from the cover (dustjacket) of 'Panerai Historia - From the depths of the sea' by Giampiero Negretti. This was one of 2 hardback books that were given out as freebies by Panerai ADs a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if you can still get them.

I have one of Watchinger's caseback openers and I agree that it's an awesome piece of kit - well worth the money if you are a Panerai enthusiast. I have used it on a couple of genuine PAMs where the duct tape and rubber gloves were no use. This wrench is so nicely made it is a piece of jewelery in itself, and it leaves no marks on the watch backs.

The 'Panda' is certainly not a fantasy as it is currently in my local AD's window display. This is the IWC for me, especially with a Swiss 7750 fitted.

Has anyone confirmed the size of the Navitimer reps? Josh's website states that they are 40mm while another member advised that his Navitimer from Ruby was 42mm. The gen is 41.8mm. Can nayone through any light on this? I want to buy a rep 6, 9, 12 layout, preferably without the 'Fighter' caseback' with its spelling errors, so that I can use a genuine dial and Swiss movement. Josh has told me that a Swiss 7750 will not fit his rep, but I find this hard to believe.

Black SMP. I have the genuine and also a rep for a beater. The rep is very good.

OEM screws will only be perfect if the lug thickness and lug spacing are both 100% the same as the gen. Otherwise both ends will either be recessed or project slightly depending on the extent of any variation in the lug spacing or thickness. In my experience of 3 reps they have all varied slightly but enough to be noticeable. I think the manufacturing tolerances of the reps cannot be expected to match the gen, particularly as the screws are probably manufactured elsewhere and ‘bought in’ rather than matched to any particular batch of cases. BTW, I have had a genuine PAM 001 where the genuine screws projected outside the lugs on both sides, due to the case having been commercially machine polished. This illustrates how close the tolerances really are.

I can't post pictures at the moment but I have a gen 005 with OEM screws, plus a spare set of OEM screws, as well as 3 44mm reps and a few sets of Jimmy Fu's screws. In each case the rep's screws are the same length as the OEM, but have a slightly longer threaded section which allows the rep screw to screw in further than the OEM. This results in the slot end being recessed and the threaded end projecting slightly (but less than the recess at the slotted end) because the outside width of the lugs is 0.03mm wider than the genuine PAM005. Jimmy Fu's screw sets are the closest to the OEM but still slightly rounded at each end where the gen screws are perfectly flat across their entire thickness. Hope this makes sense.

In most cases the slot end of the screw is even more noticable on the reps. If you buy genuine screws they may not fit any better, as the total width of the outside of the lugs varies from rep to rep. Only Jimmy Fu's cases are exactly the same as the gen in my experience.

This is exactly what I am searching for also i.e. the 7750 (12, 9, 6) layout without the 'fighter' style caseback. I have contacted all the usual dealers but no luck so far. I have a Swiss 7750 movement and a gen dial waiting for the right watch. If anyone knows where we can source one of these please let us know.

Buy the Navitimer with the original 7750 dial layout. Then you can change the movement for a genuine ETA 7750 without any hassle, if the Asian movement fails. You can also fit a genuine dial as there are lots available on Ebay. Then you will have the most accurate Breitling rep, particulrly if you get a genuine dial in a style that has not been rep'd.

I have been admiring the Breitling Navitimer and I am about to get one for myself. I have picked up a genuine dial (6, 9, 12 subdial layout) and a genuine Swiss 7750 movement so I am searching for a suitable watch to use as a base. My dial has the Arabic numbers and I understand that it should have the caseback with the temperature dial around the outside, rather than the 'fighters' pattern. Do anyone know if the cases of the 6, 9, 12 layout differ from the 3, 6, 9 layout in dimension, as the 3,6,9 has the caseback which I want? The reason that I think they might be different is because the 3, 6, 9 layout has transfer gears on top of the movement and therefore the distance between the front of the dial and the center of the winding stem must be greater than the model which uses the unaltered 7750 movement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

PM sent for 2x 6497 (SS).

This is an Asian movement with the non-operational regulator. Some ebay sellers have the genuine 7750 movements and if you are lucky you may 'win' one at roughly this level in auction. Otherwise the 'Buy-it-now' is usually $300 approx. I have bought a couple for transplanting but my best buy was a complete, unattractive watch with the gen Valjoux 7750 movement. I intend to swop this with a working Asian movement and resell it on the 'Bay' with an honest description of the movement swop. This should work out the most economical option.

Yes, it is a perfect fit. Ironically a genuine Panerai bracelet will not fit a genuine Panerai, which was originally supplied on a strap, unless aftermarket micro-adapters or end-links are used. The genuine braclet has projections to either side of the end-links, which slot into grooves on the underside of the lugs of the genuine 'bracelet' Panerai models. The strap models do not have this groove in the lugs so cannot be easily fitted with the genuine bracelet. However the bracelet models can be fitted with a leather strap in the normal manner.

Some members have posted about problems with losing the chrono pushers from this model. What needs to be done to cure this? How can they be better secured? Thanks for any help.

The current Panerai, 44mm handwound models, have crowns of 1.9mm thickness with a minimal bevel. I would prefer no bevel at all (like the rep 036) to an excessive bevel. This way the crown could be bevelled to suit, provided it was solid SS. BTW, I have 2 reps with 1.9mm thickness but these are simply bevelled too much. A 111 rep from EL has a 1.9mm crown with the internal spring, just like the gen. Why can the manufacturer of the rep 036 ti crown not be commissioned to make a batch of SS crowns to the same spec? This would be the best result so far and we already know that the dimensions and visual appearance are 'spot-on'.

I have used a number of Jimmy's crownguards and they fit the genuine 44mm case 100%. This means that they will also fit any 1:1 rep case but some reps are not 1:1, particularly where the CG mounts onto the case. I have a 000 from Joshua and it is 100% the same as the genuine but my 005 curves more and that means that a genuine / Jimmy CG will not seat down tight to the case at the outer points. This is a criticism of the rep watch cases rather than Jimmy's CGs which I have found to be OEM quality. BTW his cases are also OEM quality and are an excellent starting point for someone who wants a top quality rep Panerai. If we could get an accurate copy of the 001 / 002 'T' dial, with the correct 'A' in the font, printed to the same qualty as the 005 dials then we could build a killer rep as a hand lume would replicate the tritium. The problem with the 063 /029 is that the crown position, when closed, may vary from one example to another. If it is fitted close to the case when closed (winding position) there is enough room within Jimmy's CG for the two-stop adjusting positions. However, if the crown sits out from the case to start off, then there will not be enough room for the adjusting positions within Jimmy's CG and, as a result, the crown, stem and crown-tube will have to be modified first. NB. Much care is needed in assembling the CG if the pin is to be inserted properly. I use a silicone lubricant on the pin and rubber insert and push the pin in with my screw-type link remover, using a flat brass plate between the pin and link pusher to ensure that the link remover's pin doesn't slip off the head of the CG pin. This way the CG pin can be pushed fully into place without risking damage to the pin or the flat surface of the CG.

The easiest check is to look for the Omega logo in the center of the Hesalite crystal. It should be visible if you tilt the watch in the light. The older Omega bracelets were very light and felt 'cheap' by comparison to the later Speedy and black SMP which have similar bracelets. Even the rep SMP bracelet will feel better than a genuine older one. The Speedy didn't have solid links and don't forget that the Speedy doesn't have a diving extension in the clasp so all this adds up to a significant weight reduction compared to the SMP. I have a recent gen Speedy and a rep black SMP and the rep bracelet is very good. I also have a vintage Seamaster 300 with the older braclet which feels crap. I have taken it off, partly to protect it, and wear the Sm300 on a Nato strap.

Joshua is a very reputable dealer and a gentleman. Deal with 100% confidence.

Hi ahchard.......My rep card that came with my 029 (from EL) is the same as yours and the same as the 2 gens that I have (111 & 005).

I have 2 genuine PAMs complete with papers / cards and a card supplied with my 029. The rep card is 100% accurate with correct spelling etc. It should not have FIRENZE 1860.

Vintage Seamaster 300 (non-date)- an accurate rep with 2824 or 2892 movement. This should be easy and would sell so well.