Finally finished my 5218-202a project.

[Spboudart]

It all started with a watch I brought from another member and it was already modded watch, but when I got it it was a 004. The previous owner had it Dlced by Avitt and had the AR removed. As I bought it 'head only' I added a Panatime 'Loco horse' strap.
What it looked before:

I always had in mind that I would turn it into a 202a, so I bought an FGD dial but it had a flaw (around the 'E' of 'militare'):

So I sent it back but it was impossible to find another FGD dial so ended up buying a Dsn Hands and dial set (also got the Caseback then):

But that wasn't good enough, and Dsn's hands were not pre-V...
Luckily enough after a while, I was able to find the dial I was looking for, bought it and had it sent to Goin (FGD dial are unlumed). Got some Pré-V hands.
I also bought some of the Pré-V tube and drilled holes in the case to fit them in.
Here's the final result:

Lume shot (on the left is my Gen 177):

I thought the lume wasn't very stong but Goin told me that it was the strongest of all vintage lume, stronger lume is possible but not in the correct color...

 

[Mambo]

looks really good .... are you going to mod the cg pin as well ?

 

[Spboudart]

looks really good .... are you going to mod the cg pin as well ?

I'm afraid that if I do so, it'll be worse that it is...Even if I send it back to Avitt to have it Dlced after the mod it might not be the same color...

 

[Mambo]

But the pin should be non-pvd right ?

 

[Spboudart]

But the pin should be non-pvd right ?

I thought it was Pvd, but you might be right.
I'm googleing but it's really confusing...

 

[Mambo]

have a look on paneristipix ...

http://www.paneristipix.com/bin/pp....=54E1D2AAB9F14DA8982AEC19B084B4&rnd=1228.5.13

 

[Spboudart]

so what do you think about that one:
http://www.watches24seven.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=60

 

[Mambo]

difficult to tell, as always with panerai , confusing LOL ...
probably both are cg's are correct ?

 

[Spboudart]

Very confusing....

On this page, there's both:
http://www.connectingwatches.com/september-28th-2005-panerai-watches-sold:watches-000694.html

 

[Mambo]

Yes indeed ... so you can leave it the way you like it

 

[Spboudart]

I'll wait before doing the mod that's for sure...

 

[QinetiQ]

Looks great, especially with the avitt DLC but if I were you I'd change the CG as the one you have right now is totally incorrect for that model. I'd worry more about the CG as whole than the CG pin

 

[Spboudart]

Looks great, especially with the avitt DLC but if I were you I'd change the CG as the one you have right now is totally incorrect for that model. I'd worry more about the CG as whole than the CG pin

What do you mean totally incorrect? Hope you don't mean to use Toro's Cg.
I've seen people with 202a and using Toro's CG, but that's wrong....

 

[QinetiQ]

The CG you are using is VERY thin and none of the pre-v models used this type of CG.

Look at the gen vs your CG.

Goin's or LH's CG are the best for a pre-v build

 

[Spboudart]

The CG you are using is VERY thin and none of the pre-v models used this type of CG.

Look at the gen vs your CG.

Goin's or LH's CG are the best for a pre-v build

Are you really sure!
Those type of Cg are on the newest model, that would be perfect on a 360, but on pré-V model the Cg was following the curve of the Cushion case only on the close side of the case.

http://www.paneristi.com/archives/PreA_Panerai/_09.jpg

 

[QinetiQ]

Yes mate, I am completely sure. The picture below yours is of a genuine pre-v. 201/A, 202/A, 203/A, 205/A, 207/A, 208/A 218/A etc etc. They all used VERY VERY thick CGs. None of the contemporary or historic PAMs have a CG that thick. That is one of the biggest give aways on rep pre-vs. No one has yet made such a CG. The closest ones are LH and goin's and even they are not nearly as thick as the OEM pre-v CGs

Take a look yourself. If you can find any of the above mentioned watches (or any pre-v) with such a thin CG, I will cut off my left ball

 

[Spboudart]

Basically you're saying that they made really thick CG for Pré-V, then went on doing thinner one for Pré-A until J series and went back doing thick CG again....

 

[QinetiQ]

I am not so familiar with the pre-A's as they're not my cup of tea but I can assure you that there is no pre-v with such a thin CG. Never was. They did not go back to thick CG's only. Nowadays different Panerai models come with different styled CGs. Some are thick, some are thin (088 pops to mind). All my saying is that this CG is not correct for this model. I'm interested to learn what made you think pre-v's (202/A in particular) had such a CG. Did you see a picture of a gen with a CG like that? Did someone tell you about it? Mind sharing?

 

[Wiz]

Can someone finally tell me what's the difference between Pre-A and Pre-V?
Last time I asked I was told it was the same.

 

[QinetiQ]

Watches made between the "rebirth" of Panerai in 1993 to the acquisition of the company by the Vendôme group in 1996/97 are usually called pre-Vendôme or pre-v models. Of pre-A I am not sure