Watchmeister

No news.

Very nice. Wear them well.

Who the heck made this thread so big I have to scroll to read what I wrote. So this one will be short. These are the same crowns that I organized previous group buys. In fact, members have bought more than 50 of them. Consensus is the crowns are gen. Not only do they have the same internal spring mechanism only found on a gen crown but they vary as to size based on model reflective of the models that they were made for at the time. The SS are all 0.9 for automatics as are the PVD's. The PVD crowns are slightly thinner as they were on the early PVD gens. The ti on the other hand are more robust and are 1.2 for handwinds. There were no ti automatics at that time. Ti replaced PVD. The sizing of the turnings are perfect for the casetube on earlier gens (yes I tried it). Later on PAM moved into a two as opposed to three gasket stem but they both have the same functionality. And once you have opened a crown guard and had your crown actually pop out it is hard to go back to the rep crowns. The functionality on the crown is identical to my gen 170. That is the good news. The bad news is that you either need a Jimmy case (which has enlarged case tube relative to rep) or to enlarge the case tube on a rep case.

Try searching under Honpo. They have made some of the classic original movement reps. There prices used to be universally in line but they appear to have come more into line with others since they moved their operation into China. The problem historically has been availability as it was restricted largely to Japan. At various points in time they have been offered internationally by specific representatives but as far as I know there isn't anyone currently.

A combination of new "I want to be AP" priced original movement models and prices on ETA-based products moving up in USD due to our lame currency and here we are. But the good news is the used market here appears to be declining and now if you look a little virtually every model out for at least a year appears to be available. On one particular model I looked into retail was $8700 new, available from large dealer for $6,100 and purchasable privately for $5300. On another model I pursued retail is now $6200 new, available from large dealer for $5,300 and purchasable privately for $4,500. So Panerai watches are now much more available over here and the secondary market is not looking very different from any other watch.

J- I tried to do a project with them a couple of years ago but the issue was plating smaller pieces. I can't remember whether I was looking to match hands or plate the crown but there was some issue so make sure you are covered on all the parts.

I am still trying to figure out which cases did have a dimple. I am staring at an automatic F and it does not have a dimple.

No.

Estaban- Ziggy relumed the original 7750 dial when I first got it and it looks fantastic so IMHO it is well worthwhile. This project is more a labor of love than a sane thing to do. And yes, even I can handle reversing the crown guard.

AR would be a good upgrade as well. On the date wheel gap - what he said. I was actually surprised that the date window is in fact the same size. Somehow I thought it would be sized a little differently given the different movement.

Actually I returned the one to King and bought the dial only which Ziggy than fitted into the Honpo case. And yes they could have made one but the reality was that the same quality case was never produced again.

Good catch on the "T Swiss T". It is cut-off. Unavoidable as the dial had to be shaved down to it it in the case. Once I see it in the flesh (it is on the way back) I will have to decide whether to eliminate, recreate or leave it alone.

No sunken datewheel because it is a proper 7753 movement with the dial made for the 7753 movement.

Just got back my PO back from Ziggy. Mods include gen dial, crown and tube and relume. IMHO, the dial makes a huge difference. Needless to say Ziggy did a masterful job of matching the hands and pearl to the dial. Pics:

At long last the infamous 7753 187 is complete. As usual big thanks to Ziggy. This one started as a base 7750 Honpo, the guts of a Panda daylight I was cannibalizing for parts on another project, the dial from the new poorly proportioned 7753 187 and a spare case. I cannot imagine what he actually had to do to fit the different movement into the case but I can tell you that aesthetically it included removing the markers off the original case, rebrushing the case and replacing with the markers from the spare case. I had, of course, ruined the markers on my original case by over-polishing. For those who were curious, the markers are in fact made of copper and are neither glued nor screwed in. They are pressure fit into perfectly formed holes And that what makes a Honpo a Honpo. Needless to say it is relumed. In tritium of course - And yes I know I have to flip around the CG The pics are on page 2.

In truth there were a couple of things about this one that scared me away. First, there has always been concern mentioned about the 60 second sub-dial being at 6 and the manipulations done to move it in a less than elegant manner. My other concern, but it is more personal, is that although the titanium looks excellent the finish is not identical to the gen. One of the guys has a gen as a daily wearer so it was not an option for me. People have also suggested the red is not exactly right. Still a great rep but I thought you should know. At the end of the day I still wanted an Inge but I opted for the simple SS Inge. I did add one of Lello's datewheel, relume and added Chief's double AR. With a swiss movement and a nice case and bracelet I am hoping it will last a lifetime. Here it is below:

You guys are both right. I meant to refer to the GST Chrono - not the Inge.

It depends on the finish you are trying to get. I don;t know the B&R but on a PAM PVD the glass bead blasting is critical to achieve that lustrous finish. Otherwise the coating appears completely flat (and too dark).

I don't have any pics but have put it on 2893's, 7753's and 7750's. Unfortunately the rep bracelets do not taper from the 24 to 22 and it (IMHO) makes it somewhat less comfortable. Then again $99 or whatever the price is for it is a lot less than $1,500.

Certainly pressure test it first. The seals all have to be properly greased and the leading culprit on chrono's are the pushers. It may be fine but until you test it you are playing Russian Roulette with your watch. It can be fine on one occasion and leak like a sieve on another. I have not taken the 3717 swimming but have taken many others. But they all were sealed up by a watch smith first.

M- Sounds great. Can't wait. Looking forward to seeing some of your beauties. And I could really use that heart.

Here are my favorite IWC's. All have swiss movements (2 transplants) with corrected datewheels and double AR (and yes I know it is incorrect for Ingy's) CD 2006 - Relume, movement, day/datewheels: Ingy - Relume and Lello datewheel: GST Chrono - Relume, movement, day/datewheels:

Well, if you want to go gen you can buy it substantially less than 3950 pounds. Readily available here for 3,000 pounds.

Sssurfer- That would be great. I always wondered if one of the brushed case Asian 21j's would work. Actually if you have any Asian 21j case I can always order a couple from one of the dealers.

Everybody have a great time. Sounds like fun.