Watchmeister

The crystal was key.

I don't know about that but I am certainly never going to bother with gens on these.

For now Bxxxx/30000 OP 6518. Should be 6519 but best that is out there now. Will eventually get a custom 6519 case back.

Well it certainly was a long time coming on my end. When I came upon the crystal from another generous forum member I knew this one had to plow ahead. Ziggy was great about it and immediately put it together for me. You actually started this 28A franken concept with that gen case you picked up back in the day.

You are wearing a watch that looks damn good and I suspect you have a couple grand more than I do still sitting in your pocket. For better or worse this one was more a labor of love than common sense dollars and cents.

Yeah, even I am amazed. But it also took 3 years of collecting parts. I seem to have good luck with the parts but what really inspired me to finally put these together was Rob's work on the PVD. Having played with a number of gens and bearing in mind that no two are exactly alike I can say that the PVD with his touches is perfect.

Here is part II of my PVD Frankens - 28A: Once again Ziggy has outdone himself. Huge thanks to the members who have helped me accumulate all the parts over the last 3 years. Specs - Gen (case, crown, crown guard, dial, hands and crystal (from the new 28L)), original Honpo decorated movement with random datewheel I picked up years ago, and once again vintaged OEM PVD. The Pics: And on the strap (although it is inaccurate) I have an original old PAV 90 (or 99?) awaiting this one.

Movement was sourced by Ziggy. He is not in the parts business but does have a couple of unknown excellent parts suppliers. Before you get excited though remember the 6497-2's are considered custom orders and "high finish" and are expensive. It makes no practical sense but I concluded that this one is a one is a so it was one to go all out on. Either later today or tomorrow I will through up some apples to apples pics with gens and you will be amazed at the finish. Ziggy has it perfect. And although this one is a contender just wait a few minutes for the ultimate.

Once again Ziggy has outdone himself. Just completed a pair of outrageous PVD frankens. Here is the first one: 4B: Parts - Jimmy (case and crown guard), gen (crystal,B dial, hands), special order 6497-2 movement (yes you can still get them if you know where to look) and finally OEM PVD vintagized by Rob. Rob has perfected the vintagizing process on the OEM PVD. Here we go: And yes, there is a proper Hirsh B strap and buckle awaiting this one.

Ubi- Great pics. I am stealing yours.

I had never heard a month. I had heard a couple of months and then heard it would be toward the end of the year.

Don't know what model it is but I do love it and it is black.

Absolutely beautiful watch. Wear that one well. You have assembled some amazing pieces.

How ridiculous is that? You can't take a bath with a rep of a legendary deep sea dive watch. The Chinese have outdone themselves this time. Let's hope they go with sapphire in the $500 version at the end of the year. SFA-thanks for posting this important information.

Excellent review and very nice offering.

Great stuff. PM sent.

All the time. My best buys have been on ebay (so have my worst). Today I picked up an excellent condition AP dial and tachy ring for $30.00.

Ubi- It came out beautifully. Congrats on a wonderful project. Is that the case I think it is?

Unless they have made a new movement my guess is they have simply narrowed the spread on the inner bezel (effectively steepening the rehaut) so I am guessing it is pick your poison.

Quick Update: I received Jakob's case back and yes it does fit. I also fit a pair of the the standard cg lug screws available on Ebay as well and it all fits. So it looks like we are good to send on to the CNC shop for prototype and per case quote. It will take a week or two so I won't have much additional to add for a few weeks. The next steps are to get prices, the prototype made and to send it back to Rob to build it out to make sure everything is good. So, so far we are still looking good. Hope springs eternal.

It's only a matter of time. But we will miss you in the interim so hurry back.

No you are not missing anything. The crown guard is the intellectual property of Panerai and they will defend it. The case is not and Panerai no longer makes these particular models. Pete- I appreciate the thought. Having looked at a number of gens and the significant differences from model to model and year to year I concluded that the Jimmy as a generic C series was the most neutral case. Thanks, will take a good look.

Great review and very innovative matching up your angles with good gen pictures. I do have one other interesting comment to add which is that I had noticed that the one way which earlier versions were better than later of the rep is where the crown meets the case. In the versions 3-5 it seems that they overdrilled the cg case area so there is too much of a gap between the crown and the actual case. Your gen pictures seem to confirm it. The other question I had relates to the case back. All the pictures seem to show the ti case back insert on the gen as being substantially lighter than the gen. Has anyone tried to lighten it up?

Not on my end in a million years. That is Panerai's intellectual property and as dar as I am concerned it is going to stay that way. Don't have any additional pics and not sure what you are looking for. We did modify the bezel (height, crystal seating, etc.) based on an excellent set of pics from a Pre-V expert. In any case assuming the pricing is affordable we will show pics of the prototype when it is complete so you can decide whether you like it.

PM Sent. As always, big thanks.