Is it Asian dagger swan neck UNITAS 6497 or swiss dagger swan neck UNITAS 6497

[dvn]

Just got it from the dealer but just want some confirmation? is it asian or swiss?

[hiker01]

I just compared your pictures with my DSN PAM217 that was confirmed by VAC (he serviced it!) as Swiss UNITAS 6497 and your movement looks exactly the same down to the of the screw and Jewels!

Hope that helps!

[capice]

hard to say since there are some very good reps coming from CN

Here's a pic of the 6497 mvt Panerai uses

and another version

It looks good though

[JoJo35]

The balance spokes look like that of an asian. Maybe someone else can confirm?

[sssurfer]

Excellent Asian to me. There may be some swiss parts as well.

And... PAM bridges and dagger swan neck always are either Asian or genuine Panerai.

[sconehead]

As far as I'm aware the movements sold by the dealers as 'Swiss' always use Asian balance assemblies and bridges to mimic the gen. They are, as someone coined the phrase 'Swinese' and normally can be identified by the stamped markings, the Asian uses decals ...

@ sssurfer, I doubt genuine Panerai parts are used on them very much indeed...

Edit: compare the different bridge shapes on a gen ETA to those of the gen Panerai 'H' movement...

Edited July 18, 2009 by sconehead

[chefcook]

The asian movements are replications of the higher grade ETA 6497-2 with 21.600 bph - that's the reason for the different balance.

I doubt that any rep will be equipped with a 6497-2. Those are much rarer and much more expensive than the standard 6497 with 18.000 bph.

Gen Panerais use a 6497-2 as base movement modded with the panerai style bridges, polished gears and some blued screws.

The asian 6497-2 is much more accurate to the gen than an ETA 6497-1. It is cheaper and when serviced very reliable. I'd go for the asian movement every time.

[capice]

Depends on what you have paid for the watch...............

just compare prices.........a gen ETA 6497-2 cost $86( 59 euro) ex 19% tax at my wholesaler.......an asian 6497-2 about $20 ex tax.

So adding ETAparts on an Asian would make the movement much more expensive

[kronos twin]

It looks like the Asian version to me. The balance wheel has a smaller diameter on the spokes, slightly less than the overall proportions of a swiss version. That's only my .02, and it might not have much value at that.