87 VS 243

[asad]

I am considering buying a GEN Panerai Submersible and will probably be flipping my GEN Breitling Chrono Avenger for it.

Though I can't make up my mind over which one:

A: PAM 87

B: PAM 243

Or should I just settle for another REP of either of the model?

Thanks

 

[babola]

Both are nice as reps as well. I wouldn't fork 6K+ for one of gens if I were you, but that's me.

087 is one of the nicest and closest executed reps, and very gen-like.
Little vintage lume, polishing the bezel markers (studs) and flattening the lever pin will create a very nice and believable 087 rep.

243 is not my cup of tea, nevertheless well made Sub rep as well.

babola

 

[asad]

Both are nice as reps as well. I wouldn't fork 6K+ for one of gens if I were you, but that's me.

087 is one of the nicest and closest executed reps, and very gen-like.
Little vintage lume, polishing the bezel markers (studs) and flattening the lever pin will create a very nice and believable 087 rep.

243 is not my cup of tea, nevertheless well made Sub rep as well.

babola

Thanks babola!

 

[babola]

...between 064 and 087 I'd always pick La Bomba 064 as my first choice.

Why 064 rep for me ?

- first ever 1000m Panerai sub
- Special Edition limited to 500 pieces only
- black/silver dial
- number 12 is 1:1 to gen 064 (087 is slightly diferent from gen)
- correct T Swiss Made T under 6 o'clock (087 text is split between 6 on the gen, and below 6 on the rep)
- panda subdial that nicely balances the mag DW cyclop
- 5 second dots on 087 rep are bigger than on gen
- 064 comes with correct caseback serial in C-series, and it's random number...

on the other hand, 087 rep pros are:

- correct bezel with correct 0-15min hash markers
- 1000m engraving on a CG lever (064 rep shares the same lever as 087, but gen 064 comes without engraving)
- blue dial wears perfectly with jeans...

babola

 

[babola]

...and did I mention 5mm thick mother-of-all-Sapphires xtal on these two rep babies - just like the gen ones...? :lol:

...and what about that perfectly cut and brushed 064/087 rep case? ...and that oversized 1:1 CG and extra wide crown? ...and smooth and tight 60-click solid bezel?

...and...and...I've only just started - :lol: LOL!

 

[LegendofSpeed]

I go for the 243... and have one in the box.... i like the 1950 case and crown on it myself...

And you're going to need at least 3 of those CA's to trade in for a 243... maybe even 4.... it goes for between $7000 and 7900 from what I have seen....

 

[asad]

...between 064 and 087 I'd always pick La Bomba 064 as my first choice.

Why 064 rep for me ?

- first ever 1000m Panerai sub
- Special Edition limited to 500 pieces only
- black/silver dial
- number 12 is 1:1 to gen 064 (087 is slightly diferent from gen)
- correct T Swiss Made T under 6 o'clock (087 text is split between 6 on the gen, and below 6 on the rep)
- panda subdial that nicely balances the mag DW cyclop
- 5 second dots on 087 rep are bigger than on gen
- 064 comes with correct caseback serial in C-series, and it's random number...

on the other hand, 087 rep pros are:

- correct bezel with correct 0-15min hash markers
- 1000m engraving on a CG lever (064 rep shares the same lever as 087, but gen 064 comes without engraving)
- blue dial wears perfectly with jeans...

babola

Thanks again babola the 64 is mos def a looker. I all honesty which is more exact to GEN even though they both have there pro and cons?

Thanks

 

[asad]

I go for the 243... and have one in the box.... i like the 1950 case and crown on it myself...

And you're going to need at least 3 of those CA's to trade in for a 243... maybe even 4.... it goes for between $7000 and 7900 from what I have seen....

Thanks, I am well aware of the cost, as this is going to an upgrade to celebrate a good raise. But how good is the rep of the 243?

Thanks

 

[LegendofSpeed]

Caseback is wrong... all else is pretty good once you change out the cyclops and datewheel.... and lume it of course....

 

[babola]

Thanks again babola the 64 is mos def a looker. I all honesty which is more exact to GEN even though they both have there pro and cons?

Thanks

Hard to say, really, as you'll always find people that recognize different flaws - that said, the dial on 064 is deffo much closer to the gen. Bezel on 64 is slightly wrong - it' s actualy the 087 bezel, but I've seen 064 gen with 087 gen bezels replaced @ Panerai service centre, so who really cares
I'll try to dig out the pic tonight.

cheers,
babola

 

[asad]

Thanks again babola the 64 is mos def a looker. I all honesty which is more exact to GEN even though they both have there pro and cons?

Thanks

Hard to say, really, as you'll always find people that recognize different flaws - that said, the dial on 064 is deffo much closer to the gen. Bezel on 64 is slightly wrong - it' s actualy the 087 bezel, but I've seen 064 gen with 087 gen bezels replaced @ Panerai service centre, so who really cares
I'll try to dig out the pic tonight.

cheers,
babola

Thanks that will be great. Also If I go with the 87 are there any mods that you would recommend or does it come as a great out of the box rep?

 

[asad]

Caseback is wrong... all else is pretty good once you change out the cyclops and datewheel.... and lume it of course....

Thanks

 

[kye_lin]

What about the cyclops and datewheel on the PAM87?? Ok?? Or do they need to be upgraded to be more gen-like?? AR??

Kai

 

[jockl1978]

To refer to the Threadstarters question - of the gens I would pick the 087, I like the classic markers and blue dial more than the "standart" black dial with round markers.

BTW whats the communities oppinion on the 199 Regatta rep? As advertised with good cyclops and datewheel, it seems quite nice.

What about the bezel, which of the sub reps has a nice tight one?

 

[asad]

BUMP, Lets keep this poll running!

 

[babola]

Thanks that will be great. Also If I go with the 87 are there any mods that you would recommend or does it come as a great out of the box rep?

I mentioned some of them in my post above...the most important thing about 087 reps is that you source the latest version with non-crooked 8 and 9 o'clock markers. Also, the latest version will come with an updated hi-beat A7750 mov't (28.8kbph).

Other mods would include a DW upgrade, but you can forget about cyclop upgrade on these, they come with "sandwich" xtal/cyclop construction, which means replacing the existing cyclop is an extremely hard and challenging task, and so far I haven't heard of anyone doing this sucessfuly. Kruzer and I had some off line discussion on this and agreed on the fact.

Saying that, a good Lello DW would at least give you slightly wider and 'correct' numbers. I'm OK with mine, and haven't replaced the DW yet, my eyesight is still OK and the stock rep 087/064 DW/Mag combo is actually quite good, IMO.

cheers,
babola

 

[asad]

What dealer do you recommend me getting the 87 from? Is there a US dealer that carries the 87?