w0lf Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Evening gentlemen,I've been looking forward to this build for many reasons. First there's something about models designations that read both ways: 22, 55, 88, 111... well, maybe I didn't think this logic through because 33 is hideous... But in any case, I like the number, it's also in the title of one of my favorite of Heller's books and the Officine Panerai Luminor 22 is a damn fine timepiece! It's a rare model and I'm not talking about the readily available over-the-counter rep stuff right now. I'm talking prime time, big kahuna, genuine dial franken so sweet that there was only one ever to cross the forum channels on its trajectory from Singapore to Korea. So naturally, when I got a line on a genuine "B" year marker dial, I had to have it, nevermind the cost. The build was already coming together in my head as I hit the payment button when I realized that there's never been a good destro contemporary crownguard. Sure there was a somewhat decent one on the discontinued PAM239, but finding one for sale and still ending up with a part that would not mate an OEM spec case and crown I was planning to use was less than ideal. So rather then wait and hope something would turn up I just decided to make a custom destro CG. In addition I tried to incorporate all of the usual parts tweaks along some fresh ones that I've been meaning to try in a build so you be the judge and if anyone is interested in the final parts list I can add that later.After the crownguard spherical taper was milled and the final luster put on, I started on the lever with the usual pin sleeve:A facet near the lever tip for mating with the sloping surface inside crownguard body:Finally beveled the edges:A bit of caring touch goes a long way in the looks department. Nothing says OEM CG better than the above details along with an ever so slightly recessed and perfectly flat and polished lever pin:With an absolute mint, immaculate dial like this:You simply cannot skimp on other parts or details, no matter how small. So a gold plated brass HW was used as in the genuine. A nickel plated HW on anything other than PreV models is a big giveaway.After about two weeks of tweaking all the bits and getting them to look the biz, I'm in the home stretch, ready to assemble:You can see the JimmyZFu case crown tube finishing its curing in bottom right. The crown is finished, albeit I forgot to take pics of the re-beveling process, promise I'll include in the next one. Time to put her together.There's just not enough hours in a weekday night to do it all so I let her rest for the night, will pick up tomorrow:All put together with a fully serviced movement and ready to wear on my favorite B-series calf. Look at that amplitude!And she goes on the wrist; you just can't top a genuine dial build: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
projectologist Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 A project to bow down to....as good as gen in my book.... the attention to detail says it all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwhitesox Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) Next level Sh!t Wolf, Unbelievably good Edited March 16, 2013 by bwhitesox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 This is art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 That dial was certainly a great pick up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amanamongmen Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 This is art. I agree. This is awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gianton Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Awesome build, looks GEN to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemark Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Just came upon this. Great post. And yeah, there is gen dial....and then everything else. Wear that one well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Just another great build and post from w0lf... This one is making me miss the 115G I let go... Those gen dial frankens you keep building are so choice! It must bring a smile to your face everytime you look down and see it on the wrist...enjoy that beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Another masterpiece Wolf. One of my favorites of your builds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mir36 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Always enjoy your attention to detail Mr. w0lf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archetypal Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Great dial and great skill. Thanks for sharing, she's a beaut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Someone who's attention to detail includes gold-plating of parts, for accuracy, deserves much respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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