Watchmeister

The other tell which I use for all contrasting stitch straps is the height of the stitching. For whatever reason, no rep or even high end aftermarket strap has the side stitching going as close to the top. I have always assumed it was due to either smaller insert on the gen or simply stronger sewing machinges. For that reason I stopped buying any aftermarket straps other than those with the same color stitching.

Like P153, I have found water resistance to be all over the map. My approach is simply to pick the one or two watches which will be swim watches for the Summer and get them tested for WR down to 20 feet or so. But I do the same with gens to. I have ruined a gen AP RO which I took swimming and didn't have checked.

Would the 20/16 be for a Rolex?

If we are talking about reps I would opt for the 217....unless you already have a FIddy as well (which is often the case).

Great project. Having made my investment in the Offshore's I had written off the DIver but with a case like this it starts to get very tempting. Is there a rep dial and handset or ceramic bezel to go with it? I wasn't aware of a rep for this one.

It really came out beautifully. I would have probably chosen to DLC the endlinks as well though but that is just personal preference. It is a gorgeous watch.

Congrats. Wear them well.

The crystal came with the MBW and the datewheel was a gift from the builder.

That should work. I do like the buckle idea.

Keep those donations coming! Big thanks to those who have contributed.

I did give it to her about two weeks ago and it has taken me that long to get it off her wrist. The funny thing is her previous daily wearer (a Breguet) has not seen the light of day since.

I have to agree with Wolf. I have worn a number of different brands over the years and for all the various straps I have tried I always end up with OEM. They tend to last forever and so if you are on a budget you can often pick up a second hand one in good shape for under $200 and get years of use out of it.

And that is coming from one of the few folks who know how to source everything so heed his suggestions.

Chief- Did you pick one up? I really like that piece as well - the "Fiddy with in-house movement". I have been trying to find a way to justify buying one since it came out but it is just too close to the Fiddy and both are too large fore me as an every day wearer.,

Thanks. And good point, lest anyone think I am married to a woman with "man hands" that is me for modeling purposes.

I was talking with a long time friend and trusted member on the forum and he was telling me that his wife loved her 40mm PAM. And to make it even sweeter he told me he would be happy to help if I wanted to do the project as well. With that in mind I managed to dig around in the parts box and find an old 40mm dial I had picked up years ago in a trade but had never had any use for it as I tend to the larger pieces. Once I found the dial my bud took care of the rest. He got me a great price on an MBW, dug up a datewheel and then as the piece de resistance even put it together for me. A big thanks to a great friend and forum member (who can reveal himself if so inclined).

We are never going to know. Over the years I have found the quality of the steel all over the map. Improper sintering of lower quality stuff and you we are not talking about scratches. I have seen reps where a chunk of metal falls out.

Great mods. The 217 was just never as popular in the gen world and trends in the gen world often translate to the rep one.

Sure: Both builds are very similar - Honpo movements with aftermarket datewheels (either Lello or the more recent person), Fu mid-cases and gen- dial/hands, bezels and crystals. On the CG's the 23 definitely has a gen and the 29 has either Honpo GMT or Fu. Whatever it is has been sitting in the parts box for a long time.

Here is the latest addition to the Pamily. I added some pics of his "older brother" built a few years ago. The build is largely the same though. Only took me 3-4 years to make the next one. The new addition: And his Older Brother:

Gotta agree. But I also have to say that I don't find the gen cases or bezels on the Panerai models particularly less susceptible to scratches than the rep. By the way, half the time Chinese steel is not accurately labeled in the real world.

How about black (croc or leather) with grey stitching. A deep brown croc also looks really good. The beadblasted ti works well with both. The funny thing about it coming with a rubber strap is that you would have to be out of your mind to take that one swimming. One brush up against a rock or the side of a pool and you will have an irreparable scratch. The CP is the one watch I only wear for dressy occasions.

Ubi- The latest is unbelievable. Enjoy that one.

I have to profess ignorance. What does BP stand for? Big Pilot Factory orsomething like that?