Rotor on PAM 213

[stilty]

I had the pleasure of examining a 213 at the AD in Wailea on the weekend. I played with it for a while, but the $11900.00 price tag is a bit steep.

Anyway, I'm sure the price tag is one of the reasons that the rotor spins so freely and quietly as the movement is finely reworked by Panerai.

What I noticed through the exhibition back is that the rotor spins extremely smooth and freely with a slight flick of the wrist. I also noticed that with that same flick, that the rotor will spin maybe 20-30 full rotations effortlessly. The only time the rotors on my watches spin quickly is if they are not fully wound. Obviously, this watch was not fully wound and I expected a free spinning rotor, but not one that seemed to spin itself. It was crazy.

Now I am not too familiar with the movement, nor have I owned a watch with that movement, genuine or replica. But what I would like to know from our resident experts is how can I get the rotors on my movements to spin so smoothly and quietly? I've got 2824-2's, 2836-2's, 2892-2's, 12892's and a 2893-2. The 2824-2 is the most quiet, and spins the smoothest regardless if fully wound or not. The 20 year old 12892 spins super smooth and freely, but is noisy. I've got a 2836-2 in a Nixon watch that is very quiet, but the rotor does not spin freely unless fully unwound, and then it will spin freely. The only way I can get it to spin is with firm wrist movement.

Is it just the grade of movement, lubrication, bearings, finishing or a combination of factors? Can I just order rotors from my supply house and swap out the bearings? I think someone on another thread mentioned grease, but I don't want to go against the factory lubrication recommendations.

[wheaton26]

nothing like replying to a post three years later, eh t. even worse is that my reply doesn't have anything to do with your questions. lol. although knowing you now, i'm sure you have all the answers. there aren't many topics on the 213 (probably because there is no rep of this model) so i decided to reply to this thread. to make a long story short, a friend of mine has given me his gen 213 to have cleaned up from my local ad (and the ad he purchased it from). i'll have the watch in my posession for the next month or so if anyone has any questions about it? all the best.