fitting a pocket watch movement to a panerai

[redhouse246]

Hi guys, first off start by saying im a mad keen panerai lover, i own four already, i have a fifth pam that has a perfect case and back and glass, but the movement is cheap and the dial is rubbish, i would love to fit a nice movement in and new dial, the case inside is 36mm so plenty of room, i am an engineer so was thinking of turning up a nice brass movement spacer to fit snug around the movement and mill the top so it has a swirled mill look, which movement shall i look at? i can see lots on ebay, idealy would love to get a panny looking movement like i have seen on here, would i have problems with hands ie, the hole size on panny hands not matching the spiggot etc, is it a dificult process?

[redhouse246]

forgot to say, im quite taken by a hamilton railway special movement 21j? dont know what the 21 j means.....alarm bells are ringing as you read this in your mind i can tell.....dont do it red dont do it!

[krpster]

Hello redhouse246,

Welcome. You have certainly come to the right place. Now to try and help you along with this project. First off 21j means that there are 21 jewels in the movement. More is generally better. There are a few Hamiltons that will drop right into the PAM 44 and 47 cases without need of a spacer ring IIRC. The Hamilton 917 and 921 are the ones you want to look at. There are also some Elgins, Illinois and others too but may require more finagling. The key is to stick to the correct size. Quite a few have done what you are proposing so have a look around to check them out. Here are a few to get your reading started.

Illinois in Fiddy

Hamiton 917 Into PAM 111

There were more I am sure but I can't find them right now. In any case let us know how you get along. Post up when you need help and the experts will be sure to chime in and get you on your way.

[Jkay]

21j is a term used to describe (normally) the chinese copies of Japanese Miyota company watch movements. They are good workhorse movements, as inexpensive Chinese copies go, but they use an indirect drive mechanism for the seconds hand and thus there is famously a bit of stutter in the sweep. (since you're an engineer, I'll say it's play in the gear train)

The feel during winding is rough .. but again the common a21j 2836 and 4836 are the best kind of cheap China movement.

[mellons]

you need to go to homage forum dot com

plenty of older pocket watch movements there: hammies (917 and 921), corteberts 616 and 618 (the odd 620) and of course the obligatory molnija 3601, 3602 builds

most of the components you need (as well as good tutorials) are here in www.vintagewatchparts.com

for any once-off pieces (specific movement rings etc.) wither gordon (above) can do for you or else another hf member athaya can fabricate

[rsea]

Welcome to the club mate

I've got 3 whammy projects on the go right now. Pm me for a hand or head to homage forum like mellons suggested. Plenty of guys there have completed conversions like you're planning

Rob.