Help with vintage PAM

[550bryan]

I'm thinking of picking up a vintage PAM 3646 Radiomir from Davidsen. I have a question for you experts out there. This watch has fixed bars to hold the strap (unlike newer model radiomirs where there are screws allowing the removal of the strap bar). Davidsen tell me the strap has to be threaded through the bar and then secured with clips on the back of the strap. The stock strap looks really poor so if I decide to upgrade to a better vintage strap what do I do? Here's a link to the watch;

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/3646-deco-bezel-9487

 

[Hazz37]

I presume unstitch, restitch and glue.

 

[ogladio]

You sure it doesn't have a springbar?

 

[550bryan]

Ogladio. As you can see for the picture below, the strap is unique allowing it to be threaded through and clipped together in the back. Here is Davidsens description on how to attach the strap; '
Pls look at my pics that strap have open end lugs on straps.

you can slip the the open end through the closed watch lugs on case
and secures with some clips on the back side of strap."

That may work for the original cheap strap but I'm planning to age the watch (actually have pbdad do one of his custom jobs) and add a better strap. I've seen one of these watches on the forum where someone cut the center section of the bar out completely allowing the strap to be worked onto the bar at each end, but I'm worried cutting the bar will weaken it or make it unstable.

 

[550bryan]

Isn't there anyone out there that has experience with this type of case?

 

[550bryan]

I hope you guys don't mind me kicking this to the top again. I'm hoping someone has had some practical experience with this type of case. Help!

 

[550bryan]

.

 

[nielsen]

I sent my Davidsen Deco Bezel head off to Savage and he stitched on a fabulous black strap--but it's on there forever. That's the purpose of the 'pilot straps' with the screw-down rivets. Those you can change.

 

[COLDI]

If you're going to go through all the trouble of modding why not use something better for DSN?

For the same amount you can have a lot better watch...

River case sets are also great for the money

 

[550bryan]

Thanks guys, I'm not sure what it is about this watch but it has a certain appeal. I guess that's only to me as Davidsen first posted the watch for sale in 06 and he still has some, so it must not be a big mover and I've never seen one before on the forums. I did like the cool movement but the band issue has given me second thoughts. I would also sink significant funds in the watch to have pbdad do a vintage treatment to it, but he does a really go job, I'm conflicted....

 

[COLDI]

This is what I would do...

-Buy a Silix case. Get MM or NZ or Gordon to solder the lugs. It has the spring bar in the middle so you can change straps
-Buy this with matching plexi:
http://nightwatchparts.com/product_i...roducts_id=127
-Get Southy RP dial (superior to DSN)
Buy a NW cb.
-River hands will work for the build too

Use a molly, hamilton, or even a 6497 (reliable) with a closed caseback

 

[phillycheez]

This is what I would do...

-Buy a Silix case. Get MM or NZ or Gordon to solder the lugs. It has the spring bar in the middle so you can change straps
-Buy this with matching plexi:
http://nightwatchparts.com/product_i...roducts_id=127
-Get Southy RP dial (superior to DSN)
Buy a NW cb.
-River hands will work for the build too

Use a molly, hamilton, or even a 6497 (reliable) with a closed caseback

Listen to this man... He has built many many many PAMs.

 

[COLDI]

I'm just saying if your going to spend so much to "make it" vintage. Just go with the nice parts for the same money and then assemble it

 

[ursusamericanus]

But you could build it with a Silix case and put a Nightwatch deco bezel on it like this.

Sorry, I just noticed that coldi hit this one already!

 

[civic4982]

The davidsen bezel is nice but not even close to as accurate a the Nightwatch bezel. Just do it right the first time and you'll enjoy it for many years.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ogladio]

Bryan - I looked around a bit, and if you want a case with fixed/"solid" lugs and strap flexibility I've seen some strap makers offering a hidden rivet solution. E.g blueradish over at RWG, here on the buckle side but guess he could just reverse. Not visible at all from top side and you can just click on/off.

 

[Bonesey]

I've definitely seen it done with hidden rivets on the watch side of the strap as well.