DSN 5218-202/A. What to upgrade?

[Yellobird]

Reading about Pre-V and Pre-A dials here:

http://www.paneristi.com/archives/PreA_Panerai/Pre_A_Panerai.html

made me realise that the issue with DSN dial in my watch is that the markers are not filled in a way that pre-v should be, in fact they seem to nicely resemble the pre-a markers, not as filled, in result giving the effect of narrower and flatter markers - there is no overfilling of lume.

 

[Yellobird]

Another question Guys, when I brushed the CG pin I noticed it was fairly loose in the CG, a light toothpick push got it out of the CG and it seems to be moving a tad up and down when watch is worn. Any idea on how to get a tighter fit somehow?

 

[superspark69]

Another question Guys, when I brushed the CG pin I noticed it was fairly loose in the CG, a light toothpick push got it out of the CG and it seems to be moving a tad up and down when watch is worn. Any idea on how to get a tighter fit somehow?

Hot glue method, if you do a search there are a few posts describing how to do it, you could also make a rubber grommet...

 

[papabear244]

Coat the pin in hot silicon, push pin in and wipe away excess.


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[Yellobird]

Thanks guys! I think I will try the hot glue method with hot glue inserted into the lever hole.

The idea of excessive silocon on PVD seems a tad scary, I would be afraid it could leave some marks or staining.

Meanwhile, I have to tell you that Belkin is lightning fast! My dial is ready!

I asked Belkin if there is a way to overfill the markers even a bit more, this way:

We will see, even without it I think it will be an upgrade against totally flat DSN indices.

 

[superspark69]

I do like Belkins pre-v dials but I actually think the shape of the numerals of the DSN is better and more gen like (shape not construction), Rollies numerals were perfect, FGDS were great, DSN's were good but not perfect.

Credit to Belkin in creating these fabulous dials though, I have some of his other dials in vintage pams and he is a pleasure to deal with. The 6 & 9 should have a sharper almost squared off inner, and the 3 looks like the shape of the bottom of the number is more rounded and fuller?.

 

[Yellobird]

Well as usual in rep world there is a trade, something is better but something is off. I will examine it closely when I receive it but the 3D effect of depth is worth more than the exact shape I think, DSN markers are scary flat:

 

[Belkin12]

Pad printing seems to be a very difficult matter to be done right. I recall Steph_Dexter's second batch went almost down the drain due to font problems occured during the pad printing phase. No one has done it since Rolli's afaik.
Belkin12 has deveoped a way to fill in the engraved text in a way that makes it very difficult to spot it, I'll try to take some pics of the dial I have here.

Kilo is absolutely right. Pad printing is a real challenge speaking about hand made. The result significantly depends on the texture of the dial surface. If it’s a mass production then there’s a space for experiments, but when you spent a few days making one dial and failed at pad-printing, it hurts.
But nonetheless I’m sure that if to invest time, skills, patience and funds, it may work pretty good.

 

[mandipan]

Sorry to hijack the thread but can’t find a decent feedback on this. Given the recent number of 202 I’ve stumbled upon I was wondering if dsn is still around.

 

[fan_pam]

Sorry to hijack the thread but can’t find a decent feedback on this. Given the recent number of 202 I’ve stumbled upon I was wondering if dsn is still around.

Nope, he retired while back..

 

[mandipan]

Nope, he retired while back..

As I feared. Thanks pal

 

[Yellobird]

Update!

The dial from Belkin has finally made it today and wow what a beauty it is!

Decided to innediately drop this baby into my DSN 202:

Progress pics:
DSN vs Belkin:
And this is where the good part ends…

Somehow, I totally couldn’t get the dial feet to lock in the movement. I spent an hour trying to find the spot where dial screws would lock it in with zero success. Tried the old dial again as I thought I possibly messed something up but the stock dial locked in with just a slight rotation of the upper and lower screw. Strange! Belkin dial feet too thin maybe and the screws cannot catch it?

Then I figured I would just try to see if the case could keep the dial in place good enough to not bother with the dial feet screws for the time being so I tried to case it… and it turned out that the dial is too big in diameter. Movement won’t sit in the case properly, won’t allow the stem to be inserted. Then when the stem finally gets in the whole movement is at an angle inside the case.

Belkin did mention that some DSN cases may require bigger dial (36mm vs usual 34.5mm) but I measured mine and we went with a smaller 34.5 dial and to my surprise it turns out to actually be bigger than my stock DSN!

It is visible in the way both dials sit on the movement as per pics below:
When compared directly, the difference seems even smaller:
So, after 2 hours I ended up just putting the watch back together in its stock form.

Now the questions is - who in EU could help me out? I know that dial screw/feet issue can be easily resolved with dial dots but I wonder what can be done about the diameter. Could this be shaved?

Any ideas?

 

[mrsullivan]

Belkin's dials are gorgeous, I think of getting one myself but I did'nt expect to read such a tricky swap in. So I guess it is a specific DSN case issue then. Have you asked him if he can perform the dial mod ? Or maybe do the swap himself ?

One question about your hands positionning : they look quite close to the original dial on the pics, is the CP a tad short (H1 maybe) ?

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[Yellobird]

One question about your hands positionning : they look quite close to the original dial on the pics, is the CP a tad short (H1 maybe) ?

This is how the clearance looks like from a side:



And yes, I talked to Belkin and what an amazing customer service, he kindly offered to make a custom dial in diameter that will fit the case, in fact we are now discussing whether I should maybe just send him the watch so we do not do it in a remote way and this tkme make sure it will work perfectly!

Updates will come for sure!

 

[mrsullivan]

That sounds great and that hands clearance is perfect indeed. Keep us updated mate, that Belkin's dial will look terrific in the DSN case

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[Yellobird]

Update time!

I shipped the watch to Belkin who was kind enough to deal with the issue for me and wow, once again, his customer service is second to none.

He not only fit the dial for me but also serviced the movement which stopped on me once and came DOA to him!


Absolutely amazing, I can highly recommend Belkin, a great member, great modder and a great person!

Tons of pics will surely come once this makes it back to me

 

[mrsullivan]

Congratulations !
That 202A is stunning, great job. This model is probably my favorite 5218, I like its dial better than with the small seconds from the 203. And nice to read about the great assistance of Belkin.
Wear it in good health.

 

[kilowattore]

Ahhh so nice!

 

[Yellobird]

So here is probably a final update.

The watch has safely made it to me.

However, now I only hope that Belkin12 is safe since he is right in the middle of the tragic events that are happening in Ukraine.

As for the watch, the dial is amazing, Belkin’s work is hard to beat. Dmitry, stay safe and let us know all is fine.

Anyone looking for a pre-v dial should consider getting it from Belkin, especially now when all support possible is needed!

Slava Ukraini!

 

[mrsullivan]

Superb watch, wear it in good health.
Belkin is a master craftman indeed. I intend to launch a 203a buid (I can't help it I love the small second) by him once the world goes back to normal (or something that looks like it).

Thoughts for him and his family, keep the community support up !

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