PAM 253 flyback chronograph - rather inaccurate dial

[simzger]

hey guys,

I'm a total Panerai noob.

But i like the 253 flyback and maybe wanna buy one.

but when i compare this one (and its supposedly the latest, best version): http://www.jpc8118.com/pn25301-regetta-fly...800-p-2193.html

....to the original one:

http://blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/wat...ack_regatta.htm

...then i see that the numbers are off (way too big and too skinny).

is this as good as it gets for the time being?

another question would be:

how accurate is this one (the 212): http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

if the 212 is perfectly accurate, i would take the 212......i keep looking at the 253 numbers and to me they just scream "replica".

any advice?

EDIT: just found a site (possibly scam, but still) that seems to have 253 reps with more accurate looking numbers (smaller and thicker): http://www.replica-time.com/panerai-lumino...e6e594639b6dc70

thanks,

simon

Edited March 25, 2009 by simzger

[David74]

hey guys,

I'm a total Panerai noob.

But i like the 253 flyback and maybe wanna buy one.

but when i compare this one (and its supposedly the latest, best version): http://www.jpc8118.com/pn25301-regetta-fly...800-p-2193.html

....to the original one:

http://blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/wat...ack_regatta.htm

...then i see that the numbers are off (way too big and too skinny).

is this as good as it gets for the time being?

another question would be:

how accurate is this one (the 212): http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

if the 212 is perfectly accurate, i would take the 212......i keep looking at the 253 numbers and to me they just scream "replica".

any advice?

EDIT: just found a site (possibly scam, but still) that seems to have 253 reps with more accurate looking numbers (smaller and thicker): http://www.replica-time.com/panerai-lumino...e6e594639b6dc70

thanks,

simon

Hope some expert will reply.. I'm interested in the answer as well

[z3k0]

Hope some expert will reply.. I'm interested in the answer as well

Yup, this is as good as it gets Unfortunately, not very popular Panerai model among "rep-makers", at least compared to 111s, 127s and such.

Last version of 212 is a bit better, at least the numbers look better, but movement rotor looks like *hit ... http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

regards

[plaifender]

hey guys,

I'm a total Panerai noob.

But i like the 253 flyback and maybe wanna buy one.

but when i compare this one (and its supposedly the latest, best version): http://www.jpc8118.com/pn25301-regetta-fly...800-p-2193.html

....to the original one:

http://blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/wat...ack_regatta.htm

...then i see that the numbers are off (way too big and too skinny).

is this as good as it gets for the time being?

another question would be:

how accurate is this one (the 212): http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

if the 212 is perfectly accurate, i would take the 212......i keep looking at the 253 numbers and to me they just scream "replica".

any advice?

EDIT: just found a site (possibly scam, but still) that seems to have 253 reps with more accurate looking numbers (smaller and thicker): http://www.replica-time.com/panerai-lumino...e6e594639b6dc70

thanks,

simon

Hey Simon,

I hope you can hold on before buying. I have just aquired the most recent updated subdial version as an upgrade to my previous version. This watch is in it's 3rd generation and each generation seems to have it's glaring flaws. I have in my posession both the Version 2 and V3 of this watch. I'm in the process of writing a small review which I'll probably post tomorrow or early next week. Most of your questions should be answered in the review. There's tons of info on the site in scattered places about the PAM253.. which is one of the reasons for me to write this comparison review since it's never been done before.

Stay tuned.

-ryan

[simzger]

Hey Simon,

I hope you can hold on before buying. I have just aquired the most recent updated subdial version as an upgrade to my previous version. This watch is in it's 3rd generation and each generation seems to have it's glaring flaws. I have in my posession both the Version 2 and V3 of this watch. I'm in the process of writing a small review which I'll probably post tomorrow or early next week. Most of your questions should be answered in the review. There's tons of info on the site in scattered places about the PAM253.. which is one of the reasons for me to write this comparison review since it's never been done before.

Stay tuned.

-ryan

Hello ryan,

That sounds very cool! Thanks in advance!!! Sooo looking forward to this since i think the 253 is one of the coolest watches around!

It would be good to have a "version history" that shows the flaws of every version.

What about the 212? I think thats a cool watch, too.

Best

Simon

[simzger]

Yup, this is as good as it gets Unfortunately, not very popular Panerai model among "rep-makers", at least compared to 111s, 127s and such.

Last version of 212 is a bit better, at least the numbers look better, but movement rotor looks like *hit ... http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

regards

Z3k0, if i dont care about the rotor and the back in general, would the 212 be the watch of choice if accuracy of the face is my main concern?

Thanx

Simon

[z3k0]

Z3k0, if i dont care about the rotor and the back in general, would the 212 be the watch of choice if accuracy of the face is my main concern?

Thanx

Simon

Yes, I would say so. I think new dial and case set is very good, I have used it in building my franken with swiss movement. I used rotor and hands from old version, but everything else from "Ultimate" version. I might snap some pictures during weekend, with close-ups of dial, and will post it here.

regards

[RickHiC]

Another thing to consider is the curved crystal of this watch (and pans in general) distorts the dial no matter how you view it. And then consequently, a dealer can have a perfectly repped dial to gen, but if the rep crystal is slightly different in thickness or refractive index (both likely), that perfect dial now appears to be off.

Here are two pics of my 253 from Josh from different angles. Head on, it's pretty clear that things are too thin, but on the wrist it's usually not so bad.

In any case, when I'm wearing it, the only thing it screams to me is "this is a nice watch." I am very happy with it overall, but my level of WIS is certainly lower than some others'. In that vein, if it really bothered you, I'll bet The Zigmeister or someone else skilled with a brush could apply a little lume to thicken up the numbers.

[rogerthat]

Ryan,

looking forward to your review.

This model has always been one of my favorite PAMS.

A real shame they always seem to make these with mineral instead of sapphire crystal that kills the watch for me more than the dial / number thickness.

Maybe a relume from a pro like The Zigmeister or Vac could correct the number thickness? Plus it would glow like the gen which the rep definitely does not.

[simzger]

Ryan,

looking forward to your review.

This model has always been one of my favorite PAMS.

A real shame they always seem to make these with mineral instead of sapphire crystal that kills the watch for me more than the dial / number thickness.

Maybe a relume from a pro like The Zigmeister or Vac could correct the number thickness? Plus it would glow like the gen which the rep definitely does not.

rogerthat,

are you sure about the mineral crystal? josh says his go saphire (see link i initially posted)

greets simon

[simzger]

Yup, this is as good as it gets Unfortunately, not very popular Panerai model among "rep-makers", at least compared to 111s, 127s and such.

Last version of 212 is a bit better, at least the numbers look better, but movement rotor looks like *hit ... http://www.jpc8118.com/00000pn21201-1950-f...bph-p-4985.html

regards

z3k0,

hey am i right in my observation that the rotor kinda sucks on both 212 and 253?

simon