Are the 203a and 004 Cases the Same?

[superlative]

Are the 203a and 004 Cases the Same? Was anything changed on them such as the lug shape?

[Watchmeister]

If I am reading correctly the 203 Pre-V is shaped differently from either a Pre-A or later cases. As you suggest the lugs are generally chunkier and the case is also different.

[atomic_doug]

Depending on how nit-picky you want to get, there are either no differences or a world of difference...or something in between.

The shape of the lugs is a big difference (in addition to, of course, the double-screw-end lug bars) as they are shorter in length but taller in height.

Another major difference is the pre-V case is also "softer" in terms of having edges that aren't as sharp. The shoulders of the case also flow into the lugs more fluidly.

I don't think anyone sells an already coated pre-V case that is particularly accurate, so your best bet would be to re-shape a case yourself or buy a re-shaped case and have it coated.