Help w/ Model, Specs, Dealer (PAM220 ?)

[greg325i]

I've searched and searched, and am now totally overwhelmed! I am looking to buy my first PAM rep, and have some specs that I'd like some help with, in terms of a) what model I should get, and b) what dealer to work with.

1) Looking for 44mm
2) Want polished bezel, BRUSHED case
3) Like the magnifier on the date
4) Want an automatic (my cheap 1950 homage from Marina Watch was SO difficult to wind)

I was looking at the PAM104 and PAM220 from PureTime:
http://www.puretimewatch.com/category/panerai/offset70/
and...
http://www.puretimewatch.com/product/pam220-ultimate-edition-improved/

...and they both look the same (however I thought the PAM104 was supposed to be polished/polished). Does that mean I should be looking for the PAM220 rep? Is there another that you would recommend for me instead based upon quality concerns? I want to make sure that the model I do get has great lume (my homage sucks in that dept., but I kinda expected that). Any other quality/price concerns that lead you to a different recommendation?

If all's well above, how is the PureTime-sourced PAM220? Is that a good price, or is there another avenue I should pursue? If it's not kosher to broadcast, please feel free to PM me. I'm not sure of the proper channels for that sort of question.

I'm not going to keep the rubber or steel bracelet/strap. I have a 24mm Panatime strap that I love, but I just need to get a proper buckle that has the proper logo on it. Where would I source that?

Thanks a lot for all the help, I'm in awe at the knowledge here. Just will all the models and all the dealers, I got WAY lost.

Cheers!

 

[Fiddo]

Hi! Welcome!

Yes, the 104 is Polished/Polished. The 220 is Polished/Brushed. Those two you link to Puretime look like the Ultimate version. The ultimates are quite good. Davidsen also does a pretty good 104. I am partial to the 104 as I prefer the Polished/polished.

As far as price, you could send an email to some of the other dealers (like Marvellous Replica) and ask them for a price on the "Ultimate 104". Also helps to include a picture or two.

Buckles- try "8Artisans".....he's is a member here and also has a section under Strap Dealers.

 

[greg325i]

MR's response was that the lume was "common." Do you have any idea what he might have meant? I want to have good lume, so is this something that I'll still have to send out for?

Generally, is the Ultimate PAM220 worth the extra money? It seems like people are really happy with $200-300 reps. I would expect that this higher price means that this rep is pretty spot-on to the gen. Would this be fair to say?

 

[goin6633]

The Ultimate series do worth that price .
I have a 229 ultimate , and love it !
Although there're some things need to update like the lume & the CG .
But those are not so difficult to solve .
Especially that good movement and the crystal , even the details are good !
Go for it , it's really a good auto-series PAM .

 

[HeadToucha]

MR's response was that the lume was "common." Do you have any idea what he might have meant? I want to have good lume, so is this something that I'll still have to send out for?

Generally, is the Ultimate PAM220 worth the extra money? It seems like people are really happy with $200-300 reps. I would expect that this higher price means that this rep is pretty spot-on to the gen. Would this be fair to say?

"Common" lume means lume like your hommage, like 90% or rep sell by the dealers. If you want good lume, 2 options: buy from DSN (a dealer here) who has better lume on his rep or send your rep to a modder after you bought it (expensive & pretty long time for doing it but still better than DSN).

For the ultimate PAM220, i don't know exactly about this particular model so i don't know the flaws. But you have to know that 90% of rep have flaws, even the ultimate super franken when you know that it's up to you to decide with how many & what flaws you can live with. Some are happy with standard rep, some with some modding (crown, cg, lume etc...) and some won't be happy until they modd everything they can.

For a "noob" (no offense) i would recommand DSN(if he has the one you want) in the first place if you don't want to search, buy and install all the different parts to make it more "gen like" (extra money & extra time until you finally get everything).

And final advice, don't rush your first order, study here and make your choice when you will know pretty much everything about the watch you want

 

[greg325i]

"Common" lume means lume like your hommage, like 90% or rep sell by the dealers. If you want good lume, 2 options: buy from DSN (a dealer here) who has better lume on his rep or send your rep to a modder after you bought it (expensive & pretty long time for doing it but still better than DSN).

For the ultimate PAM220, i don't know exactly about this particular model so i don't know the flaws. But you have to know that 90% of rep have flaws, even the ultimate super franken when you know that it's up to you to decide with how many & what flaws you can live with. Some are happy with standard rep, some with some modding (crown, cg, lume etc...) and some won't be happy until they modd everything they can.

For a "noob" (no offense) i would recommand DSN(if he has the one you want) in the first place if you don't want to search, buy and install all the different parts to make it more "gen like" (extra money & extra time until you finally get everything).

And final advice, don't rush your first order, study here and make your choice when you will know pretty much everything about the watch you want

None taken! Got to start somewhere DSN = Davidson, I assume? How do I reach that dealer?

Thanks for all the help fellas!

 

[No name]

Yes, David = Davidsen = DSN. His e-mail is in the "trusted replica dealers" section.

I've heard nothing but great things about him and he's been very, very nice during the little contact I had with him.

Regards,

Marc

 

[greg325i]

Yes, David = Davidsen = DSN. His e-mail is in the "trusted replica dealers" section.

I've heard nothing but great things about him and he's been very, very nice during the little contact I had with him.

Regards,

Marc

I sent him a ping over email to see if he's got that model. Thank you for all the help everyone. Looking forward to contributing in the future!

 

[greg325i]

"Common" lume means lume like your hommage, like 90% or rep sell by the dealers. If you want good lume, 2 options: buy from DSN (a dealer here) who has better lume on his rep or send your rep to a modder after you bought it (expensive & pretty long time for doing it but still better than DSN).

For the ultimate PAM220, i don't know exactly about this particular model so i don't know the flaws. But you have to know that 90% of rep have flaws, even the ultimate super franken when you know that it's up to you to decide with how many & what flaws you can live with. Some are happy with standard rep, some with some modding (crown, cg, lume etc...) and some won't be happy until they modd everything they can.

For a "noob" (no offense) i would recommand DSN(if he has the one you want) in the first place if you don't want to search, buy and install all the different parts to make it more "gen like" (extra money & extra time until you finally get everything).

And final advice, don't rush your first order, study here and make your choice when you will know pretty much everything about the watch you want

Head-

Thanks for the good advice advice. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the PAM220. I am going to put it on a nice leather strap I have and do away with the bracelet. I have 2 questions for you and the board:

1) Where would I find a brushed Pre-v buckle w/ the Panerai name and/or logo on it?

2) I think I need to update the CG, where would I get a good, authentic-looing CG to upgrade? I hear LH mentioned a lot, but how do I go about contacting him and getting parts?

Thanks!!!
-Greg