tanya

No thanks alot I appreciate the input. The owner swore it was an MWB though in retrospect it is extremely suspicous that he never showed a pic of the HE valve nor the height of the crystal. Apparently the mods were done by a regular here named Joe. So what to do. I do like it and am excited to mod the sucker as a long term project. Hope my Clark Sapphire will fit. Ideas????

OK afficiaonatos I need a little help. I purchased an MBW Seadweller from a rather friendly fellow supporter. Now I need some expert opinions on mods. Here are my first impressions of the piece as someone who ownes 4 genuine Rollies including an LV, 2 tone sub, Yachtie, and brand new GMT Master II Ceramic two tone which I just got in a swap and cash deal with my friend for my new GMT II stainless ceramic. I like to think I have a pretty good eye but i am not arrogant to think i am a know it all on the subject. Here goes: 1. Bezel moves tightly and smoothly exactly like my gen subs. 2. Peal is pretty weak but not overly concerned about it. 3. Sapphire Crystal is too short and sits just barely above the lip of the bezel ( I already ordered a Clark OEM 16660 replacement with gasket hope it fits!!) This one appears to be a standard sub crystal sans the magnifier 4. Crown guards are great 5. HE valve is the old plunger style, good for an early 80's , 70's model but not a modern one (anyone know if I can mod a new style HE valve inot the case??) 6. Bracelet is garbage, finish is nice but it is light as a feather and this one has incorrect solid middle links??? No comparison with my gen LV at all (may throw a gen bracelet on it or a Bond Nato have not decided) 7. Where are the Holes ?????? No hole case does not match the older style He valve (will have to mod me some holes ) 8. Caseback is excellent 9. Lume on dial is superluminova and glows very brightly but under my loupe it looks a bit sloppily applied, lumpy in some spots but can only see this with my loupe so something i can live with. 10. Watch head is very heavy. So please have a look at the pics and let me know your opinions and ideas for mods. I would like have the lugs drilled and have the crystal swapped with Clark for sure. After that a better HE valve, even the lume and lume the pearl. Come on guys I need ideas I have a project to be excited with. Thanks 10.

Threepeat !!! My Gen Kermit sub is on the winder. My Gen money goes to Rolex because I love Rolex!!!!! My reps are watches I like to own but would never spend gen money on. Also Had this Invicta Reserve customized with Bond seamaster style hands which were painted black and blue superluminova was applied to the hands and dial (because Invicta Lume is about as good as repilume even on their Reserve pieces) I call it Darth Vader it's not subtle but it's one of a kind and chicks like it.

Looks almost exactly like the Anonimo bracelet on my friend's brand new (gen) Anonimo Chrono Professionale. Also a $1000.00 bracelet. I prefer the classic Pam bracelet.

Did you PM him ?? You can find his contact in the members area or you can go to the site and contact them. He was really good about answering my questions and from what I have seen he is good about replacing or fixing problem pieces.

Try Otto Frei ofrei.com wide variety of mechanical movements and sometimes they have specials on second hand swiss movements. Maybe a dub question but if you have a chance to swap to a geniune ETA why not jump at the chance????

Overpriced for an unknown seller. We have many reputable sellers right here in our forums. Angus at Puretime, Josh from Perfect-clones.com , and Andy from Trustytime88.com are all exclllent reputable sellers. Turnaround is usually very fast, customer service is usually very good and there prices are all quite fair. Before you make yur purchase I'd use the wealth of info this forum has, search the Fiddy in the forums and see what people have to say.

No Gen Panerai But I do have 4 Genuine Rolexes ( Sub LV, Sub Rolesor, Yachtmaster Rolesium, and New Ceramic GMT steel) I also have a gen Planet Ocean, two Invicta COSC Reserve pieces which i very much like!!! And Drumroll please........................ A Gen RXW MM20 with the elusive Sapphire Crystal and even more elusive tight crown guard and lever. I have had and sold in the past year (also Genuines) a James Bond Seamaster, A Doxa Pro, A Speedmaster Moonwatch and a plain Jane but mint R series Rolex Submariner date (love the Kermit much more) Gotta say between the RXW and my two rep Pams I really have no desire for a gen Pam. If I did it would be a base model. I much prefer spending my big watch moolah on Rolex. In fact I passed on the new Milgauus as I am on 3 dealers lists for a Daytona. If they come out with a new Daytona as is rumored at Basel I will definatley get it.

When i got my 092 from Trusty I cracked the caseback and greased the gasket. Had it relumed and pressure tested by my guy and it passed a 100 meter test with flying colors. I think as long as the gaskets are greased water resistance should be no problem except with some of the real cheapies that don't properly set the crystal into the case.

Ebay seems to have plenty of aftermarket Pam hands check there

I have the Ultimate 092 Arktos, esentially the same deal. Bezel sucks (too loose and clicky), Crown Guard sucks, lever sucks, I have mine relumed, everything else is extremely impressive !!!! Dial is terrific, Movement is terrific, case is very accurate and solid. If you can live with a loosey goosey bezel and a shakey crown guard you will love the watch Andrew or Josh have the same watches. They are both very reliable sellers.

Arktos Owners Unite !!!!!! We must demand a CG and bezel solution !!!! Had my Ultimate Arktos Rep lumed by one of my watch guys and it looks gorgeous. However he was unable to do anything to tighten the bezel or quite useless crownguard. We need solutions !!!!!! The CG and Bezel are really holding this thing back from super status !!! Anyway the project is on it's way as you can see it's been treated to a nice superluminova facial.

Wow !!! That strap made from seat leather is gorgeous. My best friend is purchasing a Ferarri (car not the watch!!). I am inundated by Ferarri!!!! Makes me wish I bought the Scuderia instead of the Pam 353 Regatta flyback from trusty. I even bought a beautiful black carbon fiber strap for it with blue stitching but it only makes me want that Ferarri (watch not the car) more. If anyone is interested in a swap PM me. My Pam is virtually unworn otherwise I may it up for sale.

Chief I'm up for one on my Pam 253 mineral as well. It's supposed to go to The Zigmeister for some TLC. Should I send it to him and have hime send it to you?? How does it work?? Please PM me thanks

Happy New year all !!!! I am looking for an AR Sapphire crystal that would fit my PAM 253 for a The Zigmeister mod project. Please PM me if you can help out!!!!

Stunning work !!!!!! Definately the deft hand of an artist especially in getting those dots just perfect!!!! Amazing!!!!

Depends on the Dealer. There are Authorized dealers and secondary market dealers like Alan Furman. Tag is more heavily discounted than Omega as Omega is attempting to become more of an upper echalon brand while Tag is happy to saturate the the market with as many AD's as they can including many high end department stores like Macys. I have been told that Omega is tightening up their Authorized dealer network. Rolex AD's tend not to offer much if any discount on their Oyster Professional models. When i bought my geniune Seamaster Pro three years ago from an AD I recived a 25% discount off list. Last year I bought a Planet Ocean from an authorized dealer and was able to negotiate only 15% off list. For my 4 genuine Rolexes my dealer only ate the sales tax. You may pay a bit more but Only authorized dealers can offer manufacturers warranty while secondary dealers like Alan Furman offer similar in house warranties through their own watch repair service. Also many authorized dealers offer your first movement service for free. Good Luck

Here's a neat pic of three of my four babies, gotta use some of Pug's tips to take a nice pic of the Kermit

Congrats Stephanie !!! And welcome to the Gen Rollie club !!!!!! I now own two Panie reps the Ultimate Arktos (which is currently going in for the customery Lumeing) and the Pam 253 and although I love and appreciate both very much there is simply no comparison with my 4 genuine Rolexes, each purchased new from an authorized dealer. For my newest purchased in October I looked at the Seadweller but settled on the Kermit LV 50th sub. Hard choice couldn't go wrong either way!!! But my faves are my Yachtmaster Rolesium, My new GMT Ceramic SS and prob the most striking my 2 tone sub!!! Something pretty satisfying about having your name on the paper or now credit card. The craftsmanship is undisputable !!! Your pics and review are better than anything Ive seen on timezone !!! I am sure they would be very well appreciated in the Modern Rolex forum there. Happy New Year!!!

Aren't Swiss Sellita (eta clone) movements starting to replace eta movements in many of the lower end mass produced swiss automatics like Invicta ???? It is my understanding that the Sellita movements are at least mostly swiss made (enough to be legally called swiss made anyway) and are eta clone movements. Supposed to be less expensive. Bought an Invicta Reserve diver with a Sellita COSC certified 26 jewel movement for a knock around watch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I feel your pain!!!!! My lever is tight though. I was told to PM Angus for a better Crown Guard. Good luck!!! I have a different better crown guard but the lever is too short to lock into the deeper crown and I have no Idead nor do I want to try to get the lever out. If your Bezel is loose and loud as mine was I found a partial solution. Get some jewelers 747 silicone in a syringe (they prob have it at Home Depot) Inject a nice bead into the gap between the bezel and case as you turn the bezel. For me the bezel moves much better and it really cut the clickiness noice out. Merry X-mas

Got my beautiful new Ultimate Arktos from Andrew and I am starring at the crappy crown guard. Anyone have an accurate crown guard for this model and will it fit seamlessly ???

Watch arrived this afternoon. Andrew is to be commended!!!! Excedes my expectations!!! Crystal is superb!!! Lume is also actually pretty good !! Bezel is however laughably poor, not in appearance but in looselness and tinny feeling, like a $10.00 watch Hope someone has a bezel solution, this is a bezel fix away from being very top notch??????? Thanks Andrew!!!

Thanks !!!! I have The geniune croc strap, I chose to go with white contrasting stitching, did you add a new crown guard??? Beautiful pictures!!! Happy Holidays

Hi expecting my Ultimate Arktos Pam 092 this week from Andrew. From what little I have read it is supposed to be one of the better out of the box reps. I already plan on a relume and correct waterproofing, which seems to be a given for all reps regardless of quality, but what other mods should I expect to have to do??? It is supposed to have AR coated sapphire crystal with correct cyclops and font. Is this true or an exageration. Don't mind spending a few bucks to mod it correctly. Thanks and merry x-mas to all