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I hope I don't offend anyone with this thread. I'm sure it's all been said before but I couldn't find it all in one place and figured why not ask. I confess that my one and only deep and true watch love is the Panerai. Not the contemporary, the (neo)vintage. Alas, the gens are so far out of reach it's hilarious. Just ordered a pre-A 004 (Rolli dial, grimlock case ... awesome) and having previously owned a Rolli dialed 036 (pretty sweet) I thought I'd start a little side project and see about building a 201a logo, the "ultimate PAM" (imo). So, my question is: What is the state of the art? I'd love to hear the opinions but please refrain from pointing to parts that are literally unobtainable unless Mars and Jupiter line up and I stand in a pentagram (JimmyFu?). Dial: Well, Rolli obviously. He says there will be a new batch end of the year and if it's anything like the last, that's going in. Hands: Rolli / FGD? (Do they have the brass edge?) Case: Absolutely no clue CG: dito Crown: none whatsoever. The crown needs to be fat I believe? Do I just need a lot of luck to score one? Movement: Well, slow-beat Unitas ... Should be obtainable CB: Jacob (How do I contact him? I need a new one for my 004 in any case.) Crystal: I've been hearing DSN has good sapphire crystals nowadays. Are these the right shape? That should be it I believe. I am not so much worried about cost on this one, it's supposed to be a labour of love. No need to overdo it either. Let's hear what you've got! d PS: If anyone is selling any good parts / unfinished 201a projects, shoot me a PM!

My first PreV was a modified DSN with a T48 and VCG from ST4 (thanks mate ). Flash forward a few years and iterations later, and I still have the T48 and VCG (well, the housing at least). However, the other components have benefited from advances in our hobby. Here's the updated version.... PreV photo trolls may see the 9 m i a i l e influence, but given my poor photo skills, perhaps not... Shaped profile and fat (enough) lugs... The shaped shoulders... And some close-ups of the FGD and CG... The build sheet, no surprises here: - FGD v3 with semi-gloss Tamiya coat. - FGD v2 hands - Jakob caseback - T48 - VCG housing. 100 grit one-way sanding. Edges polished (thanks for the tip Projectologist). Pin lever flattened and polished (not very well... ) - Torobravo CG lever - ST36 oiled by me with H2 CP semi-flattened and polished. I'm a recent convert to Seagull movements. This baby has a 59hour power reserve! - DW case shaped by me with double-screw PreV bars Oh yes, the good stuff... I'm happy enough with this version to pull this out from the strap drawer. Thanks for looking!