Watchmeister

+1. There are very limited updated PAM Ti versions. The only other one with ti case is the 172 but the gen is tantalum which is a very rare expensive metal. Go with a 177 Ultimate.

+1

Congrats. Wear it well.

I was thinking maybe his stuff shows up in the higher end stuff. I don't have any of his stuff. Has anyone ever compared an Ingod to a Phong or Yuki?

Transplant looks really good. Congrats.

Pho- Congrats from me as well.

Time to upgrade the bars you're attending. I have yet to meet an adult male who has not heard of Breitling.

Robbie- Great stuff. Enjoying the pics. - Kruz

The case is definitely a tad crisper and in spite of the comments on the CG I think it is better - lever or not. The engraving was always way to low on the original CG's - even on the 4rth generation. And of course the movement is in a whole other league. Oh how quickly we forget, the top of the line EL had the wrong shaped plates never mind the quality of the engraving. Eddie's was way ahead of its time but it is a new time. For anyone who ever had a hankering for a Fiddy and doesn't own one it is a fairly easy decision - unless you are still debating the merits of a 217.

I am not picking a fight with you but to say you are on Phil's side is ludicrous. You are effectively calling him out given it is the same watch (millesimation is identical) and the original listing was in June 2010. So he either bought that watch from the next guy or Phil has a lot of 'splaining to do. But I am betting he bought that same watch. But I do have to ask - how much time did you spend looking for that picture? Somehow I doubt it was sitting in your Panerai reference folder.

Just view it as a $100 loss/lesson. Take your time. Find a rep you are eager to have and then buy from a trusted dealer. Not every transaction is perfect but there is a lot of time and experience by members with these dealers.

CDG- Think of it as 3d "striping" the back plate. On this particular model the back plate peaks out from behind the basket weave.

Wow, blast from the past. I built one or two of those frankens maybe 5 years ago or something. I sold mine off to fund a couple of gen dials for the VC Overseas but it still looks great. Now I am missing it. Wear that one well.

Now be fair. I still think it is a big improvement over anything else offered previously.

Actually I was wondering why you posted it. But seriously good intentions accepted but what is valuable is a review of your next purchase - good or bad.

I just found this thread. of course Toro has it right. But i have to say I don't remember the top gun on the logo of the V1 being that good. Is there any way that is a V1 with a V2 case or am I confused.

As long as we have an El Primero thread I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to eliminate the third (outmost crown position) stop on the crown which doesn't exist on the Rolex movement?

I took a quick look at his website - way too much effort. 20 pages of random PAM's with half of them zeroed out and no idea what is what. I gotta a kick out of seeing what he claims to be the 3rd generation Fiddy though. But it is $329. The world has changed.

I have to disagree. I haven't seen the rep yet but either it is true C3 Luminova with hands appropriately painted on the underside in which case a relume may well not be necessary or its not (and it sounds like it isn't) in which case the relume will make a big difference. It is a relatively simple dial and so the wrong color rises to the level of critical fault. But I will be the first that some pictures make the rep lume look way too green and others have it looking within the proper range.

Does anyone know whether you can actually cut down a carbon bezel?

I guess top as well. I own the gen strap as well and the only thing I can deduce from the pics is that the taper looks very rough on the bottom picture. But I readily admit it is a guess. And that is why I only buy used gen straps from folks I know.

I was kind of wondering the same thing.

They are completely different watches. You will run into Cartier Santos on a regular basis in urban areas. The gold Hublot is more than twice the price in the real world and very rare on the wrist. Although I too must add i have never seen more than 2 or 3 Gold HBB's and yeah, I assumed they were rep. I have to agree that Hublot is the one brand I assume is rep until proven otherwise.

Great work and great thread. It is fun to see the experts weighing in with their comments. And nice catch on the insert boys. From my end it is a good learning experience. And most importantly, wear that one well.

Priceless info. For anyone looking to build a franken or modded watch from the ground up this is invaluable info. And I also should add that this info is coming from the most knowledgeable person on older Panerai's I have ever seen - rep or gen.