ubiquitous Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 This story began just a few months back, when w0lf posted about his PAM40 project. I had always looked at Ti PAMs with a fleeting glance, but this particular example with it's FGD dial and contrasting indicies with the dark Ti case really stood out and caused me to stop and take notice. I was smitten. Since then, I expressed my fascination to Mr. w0lf regarding his PAM40, and w0lf being a good friend and generous soul helped me find a rather elusive Ti Panerai case. I have no idea what case this is, where it came from, or what version it is; but w0lf knew exactly what to look for, and apparently he knows what the good stuff is! The plan initially was to do a PAM40 as well. So, very briefly, the watch was configured in a rough draft as such: However, as I was looking at my current pair of Panerai, I noticed that my Pre-A 002 had a rather interesting dial. This particular dial is a v2 FGD that started off as black, but had turned a chocolate brown in tone over time. It's really only apparent in certain angles and light, but it's definitely there. An interesting anomaly? The surface of the dial is uncoated and unsprayed; no matte varnish or clear coating. So, for something a little interesting, I transplanted the guts from my Jimmy case to the new Ti case. I think the new combination is quite nice And in indirect lighting, the surface still looks black: Some details- Shallow rehaut... Small strap notch... Nice lugs... T-48 crown... Dirk strap with logo PVD buckle and some patina... From what I understand, there is ONE (1!) gen 55C with Pre-A dial that was made for an SIHH show some years back. The interesting thing with that particular piece is how much of a striking resemblance the gen's dial has with FGD's dial. It's quite similar with the dial font, the shape and size of the indicies... Even the T-SWISS-T looks very similar. Hmmmmm.... I still need to sort out a proper case back on this one and fit some H2 pinions. But for now, it's at a state that I can wear and enjoy... Now I have to rebuild my Pre-A... Thanks for looking and a HUGE thanks to w0lf for helping me make this happen! Without him... There just wouldn't be! Cheers, //ubi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Very nice case.... and the dial seems to work though I cant quite see the brownish colour except in the comparison pic. Are you going to do any more to the CG? I ask because in a couple of shots it looks like it needs some adjustment or is it the crown a bit to far off the case? Looks great though especially next to those gen pics and it was interesting thread..... thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Are you going to do any more to the CG? I ask because in a couple of shots it looks like it needs some adjustment or is it the crown a bit to far off the case? Hmmm... I dunno? What does it need? Being more of a vintage Rolex guy, I'm not quite sure what I need to be looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w0lf Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Love it! But you already know this by now ) P.S. What Pete is talking about would involve milling CG's feet in order to bring it closer to the case so that the crown is pressed in more tightly. Not a trivial task, as you have to keep the surface perfectly flat and sloping at ~10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Love the Ti Ubi! Looks great! And the nicely aged dial in there really works! It must be nice and light too, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Love it! But you already know this by now ) P.S. What Pete is talking about would involve milling CG's feet in order to bring it closer to the case so that the crown is pressed in more tightly. Not a trivial task, as you have to keep the surface perfectly flat and sloping at ~10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babola Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Very very nice, mate! And I concur, that caseset is the bees knees...probably the best type of Ti case ever made in rep form. Are the hands actually darker than numerals? It coul dbe just the pictures, though. Awesome one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babola Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Are you going to do any more to the CG? I ask because in a couple of shots it looks like it needs some adjustment or is it the crown a bit to far off the case? Pete, you talking about the bend in the case where the curvature of the corner meets the flat part where the CG feet rest? That might not be a quick 'fix' without some milling/sanding involved as it appears that the flat part is actually shorter on this case and CG feet overshoot by a fraction of the mm. I wouldn't worry about it much, it's only visible in macro shots and under a loupe anyway ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackR Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 very sharp, R...thanks for sharing... i love the look of base dial PAMs...and even better in a ti case...wearing my LH dial PAM 177 today...one of my favorite pieces...and you're right - there's something about the aging of these old ti cases... does this case have the engraved lugs on the underside?... wear it well...R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Pete, you talking about the bend in the case where the curvature of the corner meets the flat part where the CG feet rest? That might not be a quick 'fix' without some milling/sanding involved as it appears that the flat part is actually shorter on this case and CG feet overshoot by a fraction of the mm. I wouldn't worry about it much, it's only visible in macro shots and under a loupe anyway ;-) Yeah you'd need to mill it down on an upright mill... Although if you are good with a fine mill hand file you can actually accomplish the same thing but you better be good with a file Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babola Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Although if you are good with a fine mill hand file you can actually accomplish the same thing but you better be good with a file So true...steady hand, sharp eye and not too much coffee on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest al12 Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Wow very nice R !! I have the same dial in my JF 02 build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 looks great R!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 I meant more that on a couple of pics the lever doesn't appear flush at the top but in a couple of other pics the crown looks to far out. So I wasn't sure if the lever is out of place or if the crown is to far out is it pushing the lever out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Very nice and excellent pics, well done, great project. Thanks for documenting it for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted October 21, 2010 Report Share Posted October 21, 2010 WOW!!! I'm stunned...simply gorgeous Congrats R!!! You're like a master chef, always creating something that is truly exquisite!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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