PAM 233

[sssurfer]

Hi folks,

Lello and I are considering to buy the PAM 233 rep, but in order to make our mind we would like to know about the functionality of the GMT hand.

Info about it are far from univocal so far:

Dealers:

Josh: "Faux GMT"

http://www.jpc8118.com/0000pn23301-days-ss...ian-p-5206.html

Trusty: "Working GMT"

http://www.tt88time.com/index.php?main_pag...roducts_id=3431

King: no words

http://www.kingshowbox.com/goods.php?id=1547

Time4Direct / prestigewatchco: no words

http://replica-watch.info/phpBB3/viewtopic...196&t=45413

http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=36980

Buyers:

Rocketeer: "GMT hand tracks 24 hrs but isn't independently adjustable"

http://replica-watch.info/phpBB3/viewtopic...tart=10#p400711

We asked Trusty.

His reply: "It is clearly stated on my webstore... The meter is not real. Thanks" (????)

40 minuts later, a new message: "APologies. mine has a working power reserve. Thanks"

Then, after a new ask to clarify: "Yes. Working GMT hand. Thanks"

???????????????

So, can anyone confirm which of the following three statements is true?

1 - The GMT hand is fully functional: it turns in 24 hrs, and it can be set by the crown.

2 - The GMT hand is partially functional: it turns in 24 hrs, but it canNOT be set by the crown. (In this case, does anyone know whether it can be set by opening the watch?)

3 - The GMT hand is fake: it simply does not move (in this case it does not matter whether it can be set by the crown or not).

If this watch is worth a buy, then there is a small chance that we can do something about the white datewheel.

Thanks,

sssurfer & lello

[alt.watch.obsessive]

I'm sure you guys know this, but I'm under the impression the gen turns once in 12 hours, so none of these would be correct. For this reason it can also be hidden under the hour hand, so you could probably remove it if it works incorrectly.

Good luck.

[szvwj]

The answer is #2 (at least on mine). The GMT hand turns in 24 hrs, but it canNOT be set by the crown. I don't, however, know if you can set it by opening the watch (I haven't taken mine apart yet).

If you make a datewheel for this, I'd love one!! Why they used the wrong color is beyond me.

Just in case you didn't know, the date is changed by pressing the button below the CG (incorrect, but it works well).

Ive been getting around 50 hour power reserve out of mine, which, compared to my other reps is pretty good.

Let me know if you have other questions, I can send you a video if you'd like.

[sssurfer]

Really thanks, guys, for your replies.

alt.watch.obsessive: your remark is undoubtly correct. I stated my question the wrong way. As a matter of fact, we are not interested on whether the GMT hands makes a full turn in 12 or 24 hours, but on whether it tracks the time either way, or it is completely firm/steady/fixed. Thanks for making it clear.

szvwj: your report helps a lot. Thanks!

Stay assured that, if we manage to get a correct DW print, I'll advice you.

You might also help about the DW by measuring the distance, in your 233, between the center pin and the middle of the date window.

[szvwj]

The distance between the center pin and the middle of the date window is approximately .455". I'm measuring through the crystal, so this isn't exact, but it's close.

[Rocketeer]

That's right. It's a shame it isn't independently adjustable but at least it works. If you really wanted a fixed variation from local time you could reset the hand on the arbor if you drop the movement out.

The date wheel is easy enough to take out to either reprint or apply a white on black stick-on. I believe the same movement is used in the Chopard Mille Miglia that comes with the black date wheel so you could always swap with one of those.

[sssurfer]

Really thanks for your help guys.

I did some more search too on iOffer and so, and I came to the following figures so far:

Dealers:

3x "Fake / Faux GMT hand".

2x "GMT tracks 24hrs / is a 24 hrs hand". Not adjustable.

4x "Functional / Working GMT hand".

Buyers:

2x "GMT tracks 24hrs / is a 24 hrs hand". Not adjustable.

Considering that:

1 - a 24hrs tracking hand can be either considered as fake or functional depending on how conservative a dealer is...

2 - both the buyers reported that the GMT hand is moving and tracking 24hrs, and not adjustable...

3 - dozens of pics I examinated point to this same direction...

... then I am leaning to assume that the GMT hand is not completely fake, but it tracks the 24hrs and it is not independently adjustable at the crown.

This is enough for lello and me to try this watch.

I'll post advice if we will be able to make correct datewheels for this watch.

szvwj, thanks for your measurement. Your 0.455'' equals 23.12mm. On web pics I measured 24.54mm. The average is 23.83mm, incredibly close to the DW middle size (23.97mm) of the Seagull 2530, the movement in the 090/124/222 reps.

This might raise even more interest about these datewheels.

The very problem is that, as these datewheels are not available as spare parts, the interested members should be willing to remove their DW out of their watch and send them out to have them reprinted.

I'll let you know as soon as I'll have the watch in my hands so I'll be able to take the DW out and verify these assumptions.

Rocketeer, double thanks about the Mille Miglia heads up as well.

Just, I suppose that the MM DW is not available as spare as well?

Thanks you all for your help once again. You helped a lot.

[docdoc]

So did you buy the watch at last ? How does it work ?