Pre V

Simply breathtaking finished product you have there FGD! Ross's dials are amazing and his work on yours reveals his attention to details Can't wait to start on a lefty Vintage soon!

Aloha Lani! What a beautiful Tudor 7031! I first fall in love with Tudors when one of my very good friends who incidentally is a very well-versed competent watchmaker showed me his collection. Monte Carlo originated from the 70s and I wish they could still manufacture such brilliant colour-combination on dials. The 2 registers on the dial together with the baseball field indices is just perfecto. One could spot a Monte Carlo from 5 coffee tables away, that's a given. Ubi, Lani and TMG, you've got a PM! Just emailed Phong and I am definitely going to be laying down some dough for this piece --- with the Steel bezel. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully I will get Monte Carlo wristed really soon. Cheers, Pre V

Talk about timing! That's indeed a beautiful shot, what's your setup like?

well watchgal, let's just leave the impossibility out of the equation. Anything is possible. The dial just needs to be modified, sand down to fit a 40mm case. Locate an experienced watchmaker and I sure this can be accomplished.

Ain't too proud to Beg, Ain't too proud to Rep.... The knowledge that is embedded by an individual who dwells into both spectrums of the Replica and Genuine world is priceless. You cannot buy details nor "an eye" for differences. One reads, absorbs and put them to good use. I love my Genuines in all its glory, if I could go back in time to the 1950s, 60s and 70s, I would devour all the genuine(s) to my fill. Replica serve any functions in so many degrees. The layers upon layers of difficulty in sourcing for parts is a pleasure all by itself. For me, when I travel to developing countries where national security is not that great, I will strap on a out of the box rep just to be safe, in case of a hostile situation at gun or knife point, it will lessen the heartache as opposed to a gen. Genuine & rep collectors themselves build up hard to find models from searching for genuine parts, it's the same game, just on different levels. Bearing in mind that we have all got economic constraints of our own --- some are able to go all the way, others in progressive stages. Personally if one were to call me out, I would just shrug and "Heya, I fly both worlds and sure as hell is a ride, how's your singular world working out for you?" I love and embrace different dimensions and perspectives, that's my prerogative period.

Simply beautiful and this is the absolute grail for me. Yukiwatch is selling the 7032 dial. Any Tudor experts care to chime in? The original 7031/2 crystals can be bought at VRF these days. toomuchgear: Any idea if this case will take OEM crystals? The most obvious giveaway upon comparison with a genuine 7032 is the bezel engravings and ink. Considering prices have risen up to USD $ 35,000 for the 7031/2 --- complete...... J&W seems like the next best option.

Appreciate your review! Now it's time to burn a hole in the pockets

Thanks Guys! Stephane....sorry I left you out of the list of Rolex experts. I was reading through the previous discussions on the DRSD on RWG. A replica will always be a replica, that's a fact on any Given Sunday. It's always a customary action for replicators to leave a distinctive "flaw" or 2 on their offerings, it's been like that all the while. While the MBW DRSD dial isn't perfect, the thickness at the 6 and 9 o'clock position of the indices seem just about right, compared to NDTrading. Alongside with the thin crown on the NDTrading dial compared to the more accurate MBW dial. That said, I have noticed some members prefer to stick to the MBW dial as from far, let's say a coffee table away or 2, the MBW dial does resemble more gen. However, upon closer inspection, the NDTrading dial's print is a better one, abeit the flaws stated above. Rolexes are infamous for variations on their dials, up to today. Pick out any D or Z series Sea Dweller and for you sharp-eyed folks, you will be able to see the minute differences on the dial, especially on the fonts, distancing and at times, the crown too. NDTrading is selling a DRSD dial with 1570 cal movement for a whopping USD $ 2250!! Crazy and tempted as I am, I reckon I will hold off this poisonous route for a bit. The hunting game is the juice....let it flow, let it waterfall....

Off the bay at USD $ 145. Am onto a 1665 project and besides NDTrading, am in the market for a DRSD dials..... I can spot some flaws on this dial but yet would like your opinions. --- Ubi, Freddy, Lani, Mezz.... Been reading the past few threads from the yesteryears on the perfectionary roads with this DRSD. Of course, many discussions have been laid out with regards to the "Reds" family. In your opinion, would you drop money on this dial or stick with an MBW dial? The distancing between the SEA DWELLER, SUBMARINER 2000 and 2000 ft = 660m is too obvious to the point that it's thrown off the symmetrics balance. Other than the 7mm trilock crown, 1570 cal movement, what other mods would you recommend? Appreciate your input as this is my first Rollie Frankenizing Project. Thanks in advance, Pre V

Glad to see that you hard-collaborated-work efforts have finally seen the Daylight of Accomplishment Ross! Your Angelus end-result is nothing but pure vintage beauty, oozing out the flavours that most of us can only yearn to strap, less winding... I am sure you are onto something new...all the best, and I am sure we will all be around to see the next Bigger one!

Nothing like a Tudor Sub with the Ubi touches! Lani, your growing Tudor "primo selectas" is slowly making me cross over....now I need to get my wallet cracking on a Monte Carlo 7031/2.

PAM187G "The Zigmeistered" Prevendome 5218-202/A Prevendome 5218-207/A Prevendome 5218-201/A Pre A 0002 Base Pre A 0009 Base

Because that's just the way it is.... If and only if you could impart your technical skills, CAD knowledge, accurate 1:1 drawings to the China factories (provided you know where they are located) and allow them to devour your undying love and attention of Panerais, then perhaps there's a sparkle that could bring hundreds, if not thousands of us into the elevated world of perfection --- still what if the end result isn't perfect? Will your affluence be put to waste? Will you feel that your efforts will prevail? How much would you charge for a PAM 111H (50% cheaper than LH ? ) --- will that day ever arrive? Questions begets more questions, therein simplicity lies complexity. What is your notion of perfection? Try this: Buy a Genuine Panerai, locate a brilliant engineer, request for him to reverse engineer the whole watch for you. Ask him how much will it cost you. Factor that into your production and assembly line, let us know. Delight us! I would like to taste the sweetest perfection right about now.

Please do manufacture more crowns please T! 0.9mm stem is a great addition for those who need it.

Ray Ray....Ray of Light! Upon recieving that Genuine Daytona, if you are able to quit the Rep world, I will offer you a standing ovation courtesy of YouTube minus the head of the figure. That said, no matter how desirable a timepiece is, eventually the love for it wears off, said to say (at least for me) but the community stays. Ever wonder why excellente replicas are holding up in their prices compared to gens? It's the time taken to source the parts and the scarcity of the parts that commands that pricing. The best of both worlds...I wouldn't tade 1 world for the other just because one world's material has dawned upon my laps one fine day....

Great thread with amazing perspectives! It's always a pleasure to absorb and immerse in the surroundings of fellow members vicariously through their lenses, be it film or digital. Haven't stayed put in one place for too long...been travelling and residing around like a Bohemian for greater exposures... Some of my captures along the journeys of U-Long-Hauls... Vancouver, Canada Melbourne, Australia Shanghai, China Hong Kong, China Singapore

Hello all! It's about time to spread some love back into the Rolex arena, not that I have left but my heart diverts at times --- as you can tell from my recent Officine Panerai prevendome and preA projects. Apart from my reliable daily wearer Rolex Sea-Dweller "Z" series, I have decided to lay down some funds for a Rolex GMT Master II Ref 116710 Ceramic a couple of months back. Travelling has always been a part of my life and what better tool than a GMT to allow one to keep in tune with the "home" time --- be it telephone calls of misses or well-wishes. Now, bearing in mind when this Ceramic beauty was first launched, it was in such "heightened state of Demand" till worldwide retailers were jacking up the prices as demand exceeded supply. So I had to wait for the market to cool off as well as the Rolex factory in Bern to roll out more 116710s to ease off the high prices. Nonetheless, I chanced upon an opportunity to purchase a pre-owned 116710 from Japan which was reasonably priced at below USD $ 6000. At that moment, it was a "now or never" situation --- bearing in mind most of us could not have forsee the economic crisis that has since dawned upon us. So I met up with the seller, checked out the "engraved serial number at the 6 o'clock rehaut portion with the papers. Inspected the timepiece with great patience and details, being a detail nut, it was more than a 60 minutes affair. Talk about Fast Dealing....it's a no-no for me. After all, I am dumping quite a bit on a genuine timepiece, and once the transaction is finalized, the liability is all on me. There were a few surface scratches but nothing deep or serious. After all, I have no intention of polishing the case under any circumstances. My Sea-Dweller just suffered a couple of more scratches and I am loving the character on it. Timepieces are after all meant to be worn, except for a few safequeens that is. I have found Rolexes to be extremely comfortable for I have a small wrist, so 40mm is just right. 2 days ago, I just got a call informing me that there will be a preowned Mint SD "V" or "M" series as well as a Ceramic in either series, both of which are attractively priced at below USD $ 5900. This has really gotten me thinking on laying down on 1 more of each....the Rolex infection has just only begun..... Perhaps I should hold up for a 1950s-1960s Vintage Rollie but these are getting hard to come by....so I will just let the watch "find me" instead of vice versa. Let's move on the pictures now....thanks for reading!

I am blown away!! Thanks for the comparison....nothing beats the art of modification...it's the process, not the out-of-the-box product that satisfy our cravings...

Whatever name you choose, your work coincides your reputation!!! Meister, Watchdog, The Zigmeister...we all appreciate your expertise in modification perfection!!

Thank you for all your kind words my friend. It's been a very long time since FGD deserve such recognition and exhibited such efforts to allow our community to move on to the perfection of Prevendome / Pre A models. He's been the first-mover to allow us to enjoy such offerings. Words can't describe how I am sooo very grateful for what he's worked hard at perfecting the dials, be it Quality Assurance or Quality Checks on his sales. I am very looking forward to his next production lines....and Simon, thank you once again. If I ever meet you in person, be sure that I will spill out words of emotions and euphoria..... Ok I am getting kinda of emo at the moment but friends at RWG are much more than watches.....it's the short life we are all blessed with, and the time we treasure that allow us to elevate to such degree.

Upon comparison of the genuine pictures available online, here are some of the flaws: 1) Font - The Radiomir Panerai wordings on DSN's are too thick and more like the older Egyptian from the yesteryears. 2) Lacking - L Swiss Made L at the bottom of DSN's version 3) Bezel - Red Ink on the Gen. DSN's version is plain. --- easy mod though. That said, Davidsen is always churning out great timepieces....so it'll be soon before we see a close to genuine Panerai Radiomir Egiziano 2009.

Still feeling the love of prevendomes, so my Rolexes are resting in comfortable cushions.... 5218-201A this weekend

The quality of FGD dials speak volumes. For any Panerai enthusiast who truly appreciates the art of Prevendome / PreA models will know that FGD's motivation to invite perfection into our collection has prevailed. Production of Prevendome / PreA models by Officine Panerai are very limited in quantity. The scarcity of these embedded "thick indices 3, 6, 9, 12" have driven up the prices in the genuine market by an astounding margin of over 25 times in a span of approximately 16 years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank FGD for his work and in time to come, many stories will be told in our community pertaining to his legendary efforts to feed our continual craving for Panerai models dating back to the early 1990s. Thank you FGD!

Thanks my friend! The current 201A caseback has very small engraving which is unpainted. I reckon it's not as historically correct as I was going through the blueprint that is available as wallpaper online.

Who would ever know that Fast & Furious --- the movie will be extended to its 4th rendition...? Well, here's another Fast & Furious pictorial sequel to my previous thread. It's been a crazy ride but I am loving every bit of this modding process. Much to the point I wish this will never end, I doubt it as we are always in search of our own "modification" sunrises. So let's keep this process going for Panerai runs deep in my blood....especially Prevendomes and PreAs. I have just finished my 2nd 201/A and believe it or not, FGD pm'ed me and told me that on my 1st 201/A, it would be better to install a Little Hero or V Crown. Just so happened that a friend called me up today and offered his V crown to me for free! Talk about friendship. However, the inner lever needed much filing and it took me about close to 2 hours to get it right. Of course, my much beloved prevendome 5218-202/A modded by Watchdog is included in this sequel. Thanks for reading and I hope that most of will be feeling the venom that has been infiltrating my bloodstreams for the past 2 days. Prevendome 5218-201/A - FGD 3rd gen dial with lume - V Crown - DSN Hands - DSN Caseset - Sapphire without AR - T48 Crown - Swiss Unitas 6497 Engraved Panerai movement - 1st generation DSN 201A caseback - Sandave French Ammo Light Tan PAV Style strap with GPF-Mod polished buckle Prevendome 5218-202/A