Watchmeister

We wish. Although you can find crap movements for less $600 is the new $300 for a 7734. And with all the folks buying DW's case set that price is only going up.

Congrats. Absolutely stunning piece.

That watch looks fantastic and that is coming from someone who has built a couple over the years.

Fabulous project.

At 4k for a book you only have to sell one. Reminds me of the old joke: A passerby seeing a homeless person with a sign asking for $10,000 for a cup of coffee asked how the homeless person could be asking for that. THe homeless man's response...."It only takes one."

I think the Jimmy bezel and how it comes off the case is closer to the Pre-V but the lugs and where they fall on the case are way off.

I would expect the posts to lay out. A7753 is based on a 7750.

Well, those pics certainly make it obvious.

I do think it is repairable without touching the tritium. I have done it on some older dials and managed to maintain the integrity without ruining the dial. Alternatively you can drop $2,000+ for a better condition one. If I hadn't already built one I would have bought it which was why I brought it up. It turns your 23 franken into a real franken for a reasonable amount of money.

No, he just needs to remember to post things in both places.

I wouldn't say he is a dream crusher. It just makes the dream a little more expensive. Using parts from both you will end up with one ridiculously good rep for what we used to pay for a mediocre one.

Great comparison. I have not seen either of the reps in the flesh but the 111 looks vastly superior. I do have a question for the 219 owners though. Does it have a normal bezel construction. It looks very odd coming off the case - almost like it is one piece with the case or a different way of seating on the case.

Well, the change got my notices out of the spam box so I am happy.

Very nice project.

Welcome and good luck with the trip.I suspect it will be a lot of fun but buy carefully. Things are not always what they seem. That is why the forum goes to great lengths to find trustworthy dealers. Not trying to discourage you but just remember that when you get home and that movement dies the next day you have no one to complain to. In any case, have a great time in Thailand and please post about your adventures.Those of us who have never been there can live vicariously.

2893/2 can be. It is a much thinner movement than the standard 7750 or 7753. It probably requires some inner case adjustment though.

Look at the bright side. We all get to live vicariously through your pictures.

For anyone aspiring to build a 23 here is a T dial with a little damage but certainly useable and at a great Buy it Now price. http://cgi.ebay.com/PANERAI-Pam-23-GMT-A-B-series-Tritium-DIAL-USED_W0QQitemZ220740182012QQcategoryZ10363QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3911.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7172230638358660247

Theo, I would have to say that over the years you have wanted quite a few pieces. You have a fabulous collection.

Congrats. It looks great. Funny how life is a big circle.

I have held off hoping to pick up a gen dial but now I am inclined to move ahead without it. I always have a fear about using a Jimmy or a gen case set but I guess I will go for it. While we are at it - any thoughts on using one of the new cases 111j or 005? Assuming I can do the case work to fit the gen bezel would either be as good?

Actually I asked the wrong question. Would you bother burning up either for a Honpo dial?

I was going through the parts box and came upon a bunch of parts I had forgotten about. I was curious on people's opinions on the following. If You had a gen bezel, crystal, hands and Honpo movement would you use up a Jimmy or gen case set to make a 29 with a Honpo dial? The gen bezel crystal combo requires a Jimmy or gen case set which is why I ask.

Have to agree that it is very difficult to tell from photographs. Life was easier pre-sandwich dial. I have a fair number of frankens and gens and the text is usually plain old white - whether it is a Fiddy, 28 or 04.

Congrats on a great project. Wear it well.