fishgodeep Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 I hungered for a vintage Panerai having seen the amazing "works of art" posted on these boards over the years but as I seldom venture over 44mm for daily wear I never thought I would enjoy one on my wrist as much as the photos. But my tastes in Panerai models was turning retrospectively more and more each day , pursuing the Pre-A and Pre-Vendome dials was my personal labour of love and I wanted to dip my toe into the vintage pool one day soon. I had the idea of making a contribution to the hobby, kind of like taking a bottle to a party ....I didn't want to turn up empty handed, so I had the 1:1 GPF Mod Dep buckles made and worked with V to perfect these over a period of about 9 months. A very limited and one off production. V has since made some superb straps and ensured that a good portion of these buckles ended up on vintage lovers wrists. With my buckles , I sold/ traded /gave a few of these away and made some great friends and contacts which is where the incredible part of this story really begins for me. RMcSherry - provided me with a fully working Cortebert 616 - which I believe had been re-furbished and repaired by Madasboot R also gave me a case set , case back , hands, a beautiful aged brown MM dial, CG Madasboot Plexi - basically everything needed to build the perfect watch Having attempted to "vintagise" a 3646 case previously and being disappointed with my own results - I knew this deserved the hands of an "artisan" to finish it to the standards I admired. So I replied to a "WTB GPF Buckles" post on RG from Clint Eastwood and soon knew I had hit the jackpot !! I sent all of the parts to Clint , who advised me on additional parts required and then proceeded to carry out the following list of mods for me -slimmed, reshaped, rounded and vintagised the case -reshaped the lugs -custom made single side vintage springbars -reworked CG, without the RG TM, perfectly re-brushed and with new custom made domed lever pin- perfect tight closure on the crown -caseback perfectly re-brushed and domed plexi installed -tube modded to allow for thick dial and perfect lever closure -Madasboot Plexi installed and the white nylon pressure gasket coloured brown -Dial aged and indices aged , first resin filled and then lume applied -stem re-tapped -Movement regulated, the watch keeps more accurate time than my Gen 002-D!!!! Whilst all of this was going on with Clint, I sorted my first strap out. Having seen a "74" vintage reproduction by Old Skool (Zak @ Red12) I knew this was the perfect combo for the watch in progress I traded a few buckles and OS made me THE strap I wanted....100% perfect with sublime details, patina and texture. The really incredible part of the story is that I didn't pay a penny for any of this - just traded buckles and parts with some truly great members on this board. I'm struggling to find words that sum up my gratitude to everyone involved but I am indebted to RMcSherry , Madasboot , Old Skool and last but by no means least , humbled by the generosity and skills of Clint Eastwood for bringing all the parts together to create such a perfect watch. Huge thanks to each of you :notworthy: :notworthy: There's only one flaw , unfortunately some of the paint came away from the dial (at the edges between 8 and 12) due to the thickness of the dial , but know that with the friends I have on this board a new improved dial will be just around the corner Anyway , enough of my ramblings - here's the "ticking" proof of what's possible when RWG brings such people together!!! Thanks and enjoy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Welcome to the club! the only problem now is that you'll want now to add an Angelus to make company to the Cortebert you got...the cure against the Vintage PAM bug is a little bit more expensive than the regular PAM bug... I would like to add as well word of praise for RMc and C_E who are really gentleman's when it comes to sharing info regarding the mods that need to be done to have in the end to have a masterpiece like you got...this two guys never cease to amaze me! and thanks to you, I have a nice vintage PAM strap with sew in GPF MOD DEP buckle made by V!!! wear it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Congrats on a beautiful watch. And your story of friendship and generosity is exactly what I have encountered with all of the vintage folks. I suspect that you (like I) feel very privileged to spend time with them learning about and building vintages. Cheers to all the folks mentioned above. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sylar Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Great watch FGD and great story to the path of your frist vintage. Go with the flow with the old and new man. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
promotersf Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Very nice Simon, I too will be taking a dip in a Vintage project one day...like all mod projects, the journey is as rewarding as the finished product. Enjoy your special piece. dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesb Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Nice watch!! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRONOZEN Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Really NICE ONE. Felicitation,is a keeper for life. Great watch and project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcsherry Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Wow, looks great. Marco and G are the real contributers here - without the movement repair and casework, it'd still be a bunch of parts! I'm glad you've pulled it off, it looks fantastic - and the NOS 616 is pretty unique to your watch (other than the PAM21, I've never seen another one installed like it!). It's also worth noting that without the trust, support and contribution from yourself and members of the community, this wouldn't of been pulled off - the irony isn't lost that some of the most genuine people I have met have been through a 'replica' forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint Eastwood Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 I am happy you like it You are very lucky that i have this modded case ready in my watch spare box since 1 month and don't need to use it because modded the case take me more time than all other step to achieved it. The only flow is the lack of paint because paint is fragile on stainless steel, but when RMC will do a new run of dial, it can be easily changed. The matter with this one is the thickness, it was mounted on movement without back dial, so i was obliged to put the lume directly on the dial. But what realy surprise me is how accurate time it give, very very accurate time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 What can I say? Congrats for the new great watch and a big thumbs up to all the members who helped you with your project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VDBroucke Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 congrats nice 6152/1 with a great story welcome outside pre vendomes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcsherry Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 There's only one flaw , unfortunately some of the paint came away from the dial (at the edges between 8 and 12) due to the thickness of the dial , but know that with the friends I have on this board a new improved dial will be just around the corner ...if only I could remember which paint I used - the dial you have has a better colour match than any other I've done! The aged brown dial is definetly a theme to stick with on this one. As you get to know more about vintages, there'll be new things that bug you about each watch - and it'll be expensive mods to get them right! Sunburst wheels are a good step forward - I've even tried polishing and plating the NOS movements that you have there - the effect could be quite cool if tweaked a little (although CDG is more historically accurate). When you start worrying about the construction of the dial which can't be seen unless you rip the watch to pieces, you know you've got a problem - I think I need to see a professional Great watch and even better story, I can't wait to see the next project you come out with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 You mean CDG like this: As long as we have the experts on this one, can anyone tell me whether any of the PAM vintages used Cortebert movements with no Rolex markings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VDBroucke Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 the cali have no rolex engravings and only build for the german navy all another have this but the basiscalibers is differences all another movts is replacement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Looks great Enjoy it friend. Cheers, Dani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishgodeep Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Thanks for the comments and support guys .......RWG really is a great place .....full of some great people!! Best regards FGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlgrey-erfurt Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Hi S. congrats to the step into vintage wear it well and have fun with it but be careful vintage is a very agressive virus... cheers Helmut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishgodeep Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 but be careful vintage is a very agressive virus... Oh dear ...having just seen the VDB's 2533 and 3646 I realise I have a big BIG infection and there may be no cure!!! Cheers Helmut!!! FGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlgrey-erfurt Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Thanks S. That are the first pieces from the erfurt combo as i promised cheers helmut Oh dear ...having just seen the VDB's 2533 and 3646 I realise I have a big BIG infection and there may be no cure!!! Cheers Helmut!!! FGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l3x Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Beautiful. Congrats. What a great bunch of members on this forum. Terrific story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Great story and wonderful watch, enjoy. RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Beautiful piece S. The essence of RWG - people sharing time, parts and ideas in support of a passion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweattdogg Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Work of art! I love the movement, looks brand new! Prob one of the best vintage PAM creations I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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