Watchmeister

Actually I think they are trying to give the student something to do this year. He can build all 12 watches. After all, when was the last time IWC had an award winning watch.

Actually, if River can source from Honpo than you may get the ultimate version since they sell a separate insert (although it may be the same one).

As far as I am concerned there are really only 2 versions from two different factories. The first version was the wrong size and died quickly. The Eta911 looks like the first properly sized version and has the "ceramic sandwich" bezel with better bezel font but everyrthing else inferior and version 2 is all ceramic bezel with too thin font but decent bracelet, etc.. And if you have ever seen the gen none begin to mimic the dial effect of the gargantuan den crystal. Similar to the Fiddy issue. You can do all you want to a Fiddy but without a proper crystal everything looks different. A true ultimate version is going to require a custom crystal and individual serial numbers since it is sitting out on the rehaut.

FM, AP, Chopard, Mont Blanc, Breguet, Wempe, Cellini, Tourneau, etc. are all within 10 blocks.

Panerai finally opened its NYC boutique a couple of days ago. And it appears to be staffed from folks out of the home office (or at least they are Italian and Swiss). It is modestly sized and has limited inventory but it is a start. On a humorous note, thank god I was not wearing a PAM rep because the folks I met are definitely 'risti. So be forewarned, don't be an idiot and walk in there with a rep hoping to trick the salespeople. If they don't say anything they are either laughing at you or simply hoping to sell you something. I happen to have a couple of watches that require servicing so I did inquire. They will act as a conduit for the main servicing center but require a warranty card along with the watch before accepting. Gee, do you think Panerai Inc. suspects something.

Gentlemen- Just so that no one is disappointed - here is the plan. I will be shipping the rings out in batches. All confirmed payments received by Sunday will ship out on Wednesday next week. In truth I will be travelling out of the country prior to that. But rest assured that all will be properly taken care of.

IMPORTANT! Please include your proper shipping address and screen name in the subject matter so I can match up sizes with people. Sorry for the yelling. Thanks, Kruz

Great to hear. I am in. This one will be my first new rep in months.

Actually, I find people are generally courteous. So Robbie- one might ask one's self why one is attracting ungrateful wretches. But seriously, I actually think it has gotten better on my end. I do have to agree that I find myself engaging in less multiple back and forth's though. May be I am just getting crabby in my old age.

As always, very nice collection. Happy holidays.

Absolutely stunning work. The lume is stunning. Case looks great too. FGD or Dluddy - wear that one well.

Ken has it exactly right. If you are comfortable removing the movement/dial/hands from the case and pulling the hands than "rodicoing" the dial is a piece of cake. If not then send it out.

That is a great looking dial and very nice project.

Whether it is simply a poorly manufactured one or actually a different version that one should not be acceptable. I have never seen the double b before. Dealer should replace it or stop doing business with him. At that price you should be getting the one that everyone has shown so many pictures of. That isn't one or it is a very flawed one. If it has not been resolved in a suitable period of time you should also reveal the dealer.

Then I would either go with his 48 which still looks great or take a better standard early rep crown and have it PVD'ed at the same time you do the case.

In a sea of new age EVO's and Skyland I say Old School. First gen avenger with swiss movement, datewheel and gen dial and hands: And LOS inspired me to dig out the 63.

Great pic. Only you know how much you narrowed the outer diameter but it most probably is a tight fit. But I also see that you need well-fit gaskets on the inner diameter. The spring loaded mechanism is what fills the inner case tube. On a gen or gen crown with Jimmy tube it fits in very tightly. And the T crown fits beautifully in a standard rep case as well.

If you can get your wife to do that I am very jealous. That is very cool that T's crown locks nicely into the lip. In terms of what is going on behind the lip I would guess (and it is a guess) that there is a gap between the crown tube/stem and the sides of the jimmy or gen case tube. An easy way to tell whether there is a gap is to pull out the crown away from the lip and see if you get wobble (in effect - unstable crown in the setting position).

Definitely one for the ages. The perfect movement in the perfect case.

That is very surprising. T's crowns were built for rep cases. Rep cases purposely have thinner case tubes since they do not bother with the whole case tube with lip to facilitate functionality of spring loaded mechanism on the crown. And a gen crown has the encased spring system which widens its entry point into the case. The Jimmy or gen case tube should certainly be wide enough but I would have thought it would have let a gap where the spindle slides into the case.

You might try one of T's pvd t-60's. He is offering them very reasonably and I agree it would be an improvement. You could also use an earlier rep crown. That is what I used but it was for an 04:

Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Congrats. Looks great. Wear it well and welcome to the club. That crystal makes all the difference. And no, there is no correct c case back for the 63.

Wow, congratulations on a work of art.

Enquiring minds want to know - how many watches per case?