Search the Community

OK, so it occurred to me that the more I write on the subject, the more confusing it becomes for someone just entering this game. Therefore, the purpose of this short writeup is to provide a single point of reference that we can hopefully keep building on as more reps with good cases come out. I also realize that I can sometimes be cryptic and part of the time there's only a dozen people who care anyway. So feel free to add or subtract as you see fit. The general low-down: 1) There is no perfect replica or genuine case to fit all Luminor models, if you want your build to be more accurate, you have to pick period correct cases. 2) H-Factory cases do not make good candidates for classic PreV builds (5218-201/A, 202/A, 203/A, 205/A & 207/A). 3) Geometry-wise, the most complex Luminor case out there is the PreV/PreA OP6500 case, there are no reps currently available that can be modified to look like OP6500. So, case construction & bezel height flaws aside, talking strictly OTB-no modifications and currently available via FS/FT or from dealers: Older H-Factory cases from PAM219L, 005K v1 & v1.5, PAM177L are suitable for older watches with OP6502, OP6510, OP6518-23 cases. Newer H-Factory cases from 005M, 177M, 111M, 112M, 000N, etc. are suitable out of the box for more modern watches with OP6567-72, OP6724-29 cases. Bear in mind, that a better case for modern builds (meaning those with OP6567-72, OP6724-29 cases) is the Noob factory 111M/N, 112M/N, 005M/N case. The PreV case low-down: If you're going to reshape a case for PreV 5218-201/A, -202/A, -203/A, -205/A or -207/A build, the Noob factory 111J, 111M, 112M, 005M and DavidWong's PreV case are the only readily available models you should consider. DW's case needs more work than Noob factory models and can be a challenge to purchase. Those are the only case options that provide enough metal on their lugs and midcase to sculpt the needed geometry characteristic of Montres Valgine (OEM for Panerai) PreV cases. Regardless of the variation in lug shape as some of it could be from loose tolerances, I've not yet seen one H-Factory case that had enough metal on the midcase to sculpt proper curves for PreV. To add, the most recent N-Factory "N" series cases beginning with v2 and now the ever-popular v3 cannot be used for PreV because they now have thinner, more streamlined lugs. The elusive OP6500 case low-down: The one case that's just nowhere to be found in the repworld today is the type of case that was made for Panerai by an Italian concern "CORO", better known as the OP6500 case. It was the case used in PreV models 5218-209, -210, 218/A and many PreA watches that came out under Vendome like the PAM01, 02, 04, 09, etc. There was a really old rep case out there that came on the first generation PAM111F rep., circa 2004-2005 which predates even Eddie Lee era, that has the right geometry of the lug and enough metal on the midcase for a proper OP6500 reshape. As you can no longer buy this watch (production ended in 2006), it's a moot point but for the sake of posterity - an OP6500 donor case did exist a long time ago. And there you have it. If you're not sure about OP case numbers, take a look at a resource like Club Panerai or Panerai Carpediem or post in this thread with questions.