Another 'help me choose' thread

[Jaype]

Hullo forum - awesome place here, so much knowledge that I'm slowly reading my way through the PAM guide.

So I am currently watchless - and I'm not going to buy another quartz piece of junk.

I'm currently slobbering over a series of PAM's and deciding what to go for. I have large wrists at (8.5in) - and I'm a big guy, so I'm thinking of embracing the chunk and going for a 47mm fiddy, a composite brown or ceramic Rad. Maybe a 45mm...

Like many, I haven't got the coin to buy a real one - so I've ended up here... looking at replicas. I'm liking the domed crystals and classic lines, because they look so spiffy.

Questions & reasons for iffyness remain though.

Main concerns are that I work around, in and out of boats. So - the whole 3ATM thing is a bit impossible. If I fall into the drink (this happens a lot, mostly intentionally), and nobody wants their new $350 rep to experience death by drowning.

I'm happy to break out the old epoxy glue and silicone grease (if that will indeed help). I'm also happy to take this to a watch-smith to have it pressure tested + sealed professionally...

1. How much does that cost on average - say with a clean/service?)
2. Rad = 100m resistant (GEN) / Lum = 300m resistant (GEN), with the right modding - is it possible to replicate that? I'd ideally like to get close to 10ATM... neither watch is even close (dynamic pressure/seawater in mind).
3. Winding or Automatic? Which are more reliable? What kind of 'reserve' do you get on Auto's in the rep world (after a bit of charge/wear)?

The other thing which attracts me is that I'm definitely interested in playing around with some watch movements/casings and getting my hands dirty with some modding.

Advice + guidance plz? I've also been checking out the tasty looking Benrus Milspec on DSN's photobucket. :wyliehelp:

 

[sexybeast]

i would go with the 217, the reason why u ask? i wear my watches on my left hand and being very active the destro crown guard does not inter fear with my wrist movement action at all.

 

[spankster23]

Clean and service depends greatly where you are. You also need to find a "REp Friendly" service tech. they are like any other watch. charges are similar as gen.

Reps RARELY come even hand washing proof. However there are modders on this board that you can send your watch in to have it done. You can as you mentioned above, do it your self, and have it pressure tested...

IF you want to get into modding, and or DIY service, then I would definitely start with a mechanical winding movement first. parts are cheaper, and much more abundant than autos. And you WILL break something from time to time... :

47mm Pams will fit you nicely, and ALL 47mm are handwind so far... So just pic one you like and enjoy... :bubbles:

 

[Jaype]

Thanks both.

Spankster, I'm currently based in Montreal, but move between here and the UK quite frequently... I'm sure I can source a friendly watch-smith. One jeweller offered to do a complete pressure (dry and wet) for $5, which is great. He didn't seem too fussed about it being a replica. We'll see how that goes to start.

I'll definitely look at some destro 217 reps - I'm getting more sold on the Radiomir though (may end up getting both at some point) as it has the screw in crown.

A crystal press can be borrowed from a friend - so if this fails initial pressure tests (which I fully expect it to) - I'll be popping out the crystal, UV sealing it and epoxy sealing the case before further tests.

PAM's seem like an obvious choice as the case (and the movement) is relatively uncomplicated. There are simply fewer holes - no chron buttons or extra holes drilled. As far as I'm aware, the only leak points are:
1) crown
2) crystal
3) rear casing (not going for display-cases for obvious reasons).

Are there crown gaskets in the crown tube - I would assume the crown screws flush with one in the Gen - but who knows.

I can always stamp my own gaskets, as I've read that the crystal gaskets are often inferior. I'd prefer a soft rubber, silicone lubed gasket for a tighter seal around the crystal base.

If the test goes well first time, I will probably end up just using it, and I'll try to post some pictures on here in the interest of public experimentation

Muchos gracias hmm decisions.

 

[philhebs]

Thanks both.

Spankster, I'm currently based in Montreal, but move between here and the UK quite frequently... I'm sure I can source a friendly watch-smith. One jeweller offered to do a complete pressure (dry and wet) for $5, which is great. He didn't seem too fussed about it being a replica. We'll see how that goes to start.

I'll definitely look at some destro 217 reps - I'm getting more sold on the Radiomir though (may end up getting both at some point) as it has the screw in crown.

A crystal press can be borrowed from a friend - so if this fails initial pressure tests (which I fully expect it to) - I'll be popping out the crystal, UV sealing it and epoxy sealing the case before further tests.

PAM's seem like an obvious choice as the case (and the movement) is relatively uncomplicated. There are simply fewer holes - no chron buttons or extra holes drilled. As far as I'm aware, the only leak points are:
1) crown
2) crystal
3) rear casing (not going for display-cases for obvious reasons).

Are there crown gaskets in the crown tube - I would assume the crown screws flush with one in the Gen - but who knows.

I can always stamp my own gaskets, as I've read that the crystal gaskets are often inferior. I'd prefer a soft rubber, silicone lubed gasket for a tighter seal around the crystal base.

If the test goes well first time, I will probably end up just using it, and I'll try to post some pictures on here in the interest of public experimentation

Muchos gracias hmm decisions.

Hi, this thread is almost a decade old but figured I would try none the less. I am looking for a watch smith in the Montreal area that does work on replicas. I have a a few watched that need a tuning and some oyster bracelets need some fixing. Would you happen to know any? If so, that would be great and if not then thanks anyways.
Cheers!


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[philhebs]

Thanks both.

Spankster, I'm currently based in Montreal, but move between here and the UK quite frequently... I'm sure I can source a friendly watch-smith. One jeweller offered to do a complete pressure (dry and wet) for $5, which is great. He didn't seem too fussed about it being a replica. We'll see how that goes to start.

I'll definitely look at some destro 217 reps - I'm getting more sold on the Radiomir though (may end up getting both at some point) as it has the screw in crown.

A crystal press can be borrowed from a friend - so if this fails initial pressure tests (which I fully expect it to) - I'll be popping out the crystal, UV sealing it and epoxy sealing the case before further tests.

PAM's seem like an obvious choice as the case (and the movement) is relatively uncomplicated. There are simply fewer holes - no chron buttons or extra holes drilled. As far as I'm aware, the only leak points are:
1) crown
2) crystal
3) rear casing (not going for display-cases for obvious reasons).

Are there crown gaskets in the crown tube - I would assume the crown screws flush with one in the Gen - but who knows.

I can always stamp my own gaskets, as I've read that the crystal gaskets are often inferior. I'd prefer a soft rubber, silicone lubed gasket for a tighter seal around the crystal base.

If the test goes well first time, I will probably end up just using it, and I'll try to post some pictures on here in the interest of public experimentation

Muchos gracias hmm decisions.

Hi, this thread is almost a decade old but figured I would try none the less. I am looking for a watch smith in the Montreal area that does work on replicas. I have a a few watched that need a tuning and some oyster bracelets need some fixing. Would you happen to know any? If so, that would be great and if not then thanks anyways.
Cheers!



Sent from the RWI App