Congrats on your first Panerai rep. If you have spent time around here you know you can do better. The funny thing is that I have the same one too. A dealer accidentally sent me the wrong "Slytech" and when I offered to send it back he told me not to bother. True story.
Returning into the U.S. I was wearing my modded 63. Here it is:
The customs official saw what was on my wrist and made the comment "Very nice Panerai." He then asked whether I had bought it abroad, I told him that actually it was 8 years old. His response was that "it was looking awfully new". I then explained to him that it was an older series and that I cared for my watches and had the luxury of rotating several different PAM's. We talked for a few more minutes about Panerai watches and he mentioned how he had seen a number recently and liked them. Who knew? God bless America!
Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see the updated pictures. Let's see what they do and don't fix. In my case it has taken so long and I am so used to the CD that I will wait it out until they come up with a bracelet version - if they ever do.
Enjoy it. Properly cleaning and lubricating a movement makes a big difference. There is nothing more annoying than the whir of a poorly assembled watch. The sound and feel of the rotor on some of the Asian movements out of the box drives me crazy.
In terms of service there are two schools of thought. Some folks service it out of the box. The theory is that if you don't make sure they are properly serviced initially and either wait till it breaks or when it ceases to keep accurate time you may be dealing with more of a mess on your hands. The other school of thought is wait til it breaks. Beyond that, any watch (rep or gen) should be serviced every 3-5 years.
Thanks for passing it on. I had stayed away from the historics based on the lack of a good CG on standard reps and no Jimmy equivalent. Now I will have to wait for another fix.
You folks are braver than I. I have a tough enough time deciding what I want for breakfast never mind how I would decorate my body for the rest of my life. Tattoos give new meaning to the term - "Wear it well"
Teejay - Very nice looking design.
It would be an amusing answer (but depressing) if it really is already out as an inferior model already being sold elsewhere. It would not bode well for us seeing the final product anytime soon. Manufacturer would most likely have to clean out all his existing inventory before ramping up again.
I don't follow the price of these movements but I assumed from your initial post that the price reflected a new high - in which case it is a good investment.