Watchmeister

Wow, that is an outrageous project. Can't wait to see the results. It is very helpful to know about the better case back too.

Very nice project. I started with a V1, relumed the dial, changed the movement and date wheels and it made a huge difference. That one is looking good. Wear it well.

When it comes to luxury goods it is usually about value preservation rather than appreciation so my first thought is start by buying in the used market. None on the list strike me as "investment" pieces. The fact that you list multiple Rolexes and one Breitling tells me you either want a Breitling or have too many Rolexes already. Which one is it? Start with that.

03 on one of my favorite straps - original A croc strap with one keeper. They don't make those straps like they used to.

Don- Beautiful stuff. Looks like a good couple of days.

Thanks. Over the years I have bought and sold a fair number of PAM's but the first 44mm chrono has always had a special place in my heart.

chronos for Monday and Tuesday:

As everyone says it is not a simple answer. You would have to tell us the particular watch (and the movement) that goes into it. A couple that I thought would simply plug in required major case rework.

I must say that for 1/4 gen ($1,000) I would probably be oriented toward a solid caseback rep and looking to add a gen dial ($400-$500 for a sausage dial). To me it all starts with the dial. Can't comment on the Davidsen stuff though as I have not seen anything new from him in the flesh in the last year. Best of luck with the hunt though.

Welcome to the club. And I have to agree the dial makes a huge difference.

Steve- Great to see you back. Tell us what you are in the mood for brand wise and size wise and we will try and steer you in the right direction.

Don't be a spoil sport. It's not that bad. But I do have to say IMHO all the bezels look awful relative to the gen for various reasons (other than the original 24A - after it was polished)- markers too large, too proud of the bezel, misplaced, too big or engraved horribly. Brushing you can improve upon greatly though. As you can tell above I have bought and modded a few to the nth degree and was still never perfectly happy. And this was the principal reason. I still have never seen an ultimate 199 in the flesh though. Couple of people who I respect seem to really like their pieces.

Fabulous thread. I can remember every one of those reps. And with the mods you were doing they are/were state of the art. Do you still have most of them?

Glad to see the pictures are here. Loving that Big Pilot.

Thanks. What a collection it was. They are all gone except for the 170 and the 243. I still have a few franken parts laying around though in case they ever come up with a better version 24 or 87 though.

Looks so good I am going to have get off my butt and make one. I think I have been sitting on a dial or two for 3 years or so. Congrats on a beautiful watch.

Sounds like welcome back is in order. I took a quick look at your Aquanaut. It looks really good. Certainly sounds like you are hooked so I hoped we will continue to see you around. Keep posting those pics.

Sunday wearer:

Looking forward to seeing that twin.

Side note: Panerai just announced a new 42mm radiomir automatic with their thinnest movement yet - 11mm thickness. I am sure a rep should be forthcoming.

Fair point.

Very nice design and fitting given the watch that is going inside of it.

Congrats.

Loving it - very elegant.

On the 194 the bummer is it is made of the wrong metal. Should be ti. One forum member did source one in ti a couple of years ago but never since. Everyone seems to love the 199. Never seen the ultimate in the flesh though. Want to laugh - my submersibles a couple of years ago all modded in one way or another: Now I am down to one.