Looking to upgrade from a low-grade Rep.

[DrStrangelove]

Hello there, I'm a relative noob to this forum and I'm really happy that I found it.

Here is my situation. I was given a relatively cheap PAM replica from a friend, he bought it in Singapore. I've been wearing it and I like it a lot. I have been receiving compliments, and just the other day I ran into a PAM enthusiast. Luckily we were at a dark club and he looked at mine for only a brief moment. He then went on and on about his and his straps etc.. It is now time to upgrade to a decent replica, I don't want to be caught out by anyone!

I have posted pictures of my watch and I am looking for one that is as close to the model that I have after looking for a while I think it might be the 104 model.. except for the second hand being over the nine numeral. Is there a model where the second hand is between the main hands and the numeral nine with a date window? or should I just go for the 104 model?

After lurking for a while and comparing photos ( as suggested in the new members thread ) these are the issues I see with my current watch.


1. Second dial is too close to the center, position is just wrong. ( probably the most glaring issue )

2. The AR coating is too blue, I like the sheen, but I think it is a dead giveaway as a cheap replica. However it is only on the inside, I've polished some scratches out of the crystal and it didn't influence the AR, but I got some other small abrasions soon thereafter.

3. The Lume is weak in the dark and yellow/green in the light.

4. The crown is too skinny and the teeth are too sharp.

5. The pin that holds the crown clasp in is flush with the top of the crown guard, so flush you have to look really hard to even see that it is there.

6. The crown clasp was swinging open on its own. I put a small bit of glue on it and it seems be enough friction to keep it closed.

I am thinking about getting this model as the closest replacement:

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/pam-104i-h-91928

Can anyone suggest or point me to another model that would match my current one better? I would obviously like for it to be as authentic as possible. Even if it means undertaking a few modifications.

once again, thanks for your attention and I hope I didn't commit any terrible faux pas as a new member.



-TheDoctor.

 

[Hazz37]

From reports and feedback read, you cant go wrong with trevor, the second hand position depends on the movement, I would imagine that your watch has a 21j. I may be totally wrong as I am just learning, feel free anyone to correct me.. Trevors watch looks the part, and you can't go wrong.

 

[audace]

Perhaps other more informed members can correct me on this, but I think your watch is a fantasy model. I have not seen any other Pams with such a dial layout. If the acquaintance you met is a Pam enthusiast chances are he might have known that your watch is not genuine and so you might want to consider getting a different watch altogether rather than a similar replacement if you want to 'carry on the story' (unless you like the design of course). Your watch should be a copy of the pam 104 but it is not an accurate one.

Of course I may be wrong, please correct me if I am.

The Pam 104/111/005 are very nice Pams that are quite spot on to the gen with very minute differences which one would not know unless he knows what to look for (a true pam enthusiast). If you like something different, the 029 is also a very accurate rep. Personally I would go with something of a more 'exotic' material and go for the Pam 177 (which is made of titanium). It is reasonably accurate and cool, only thing it's a scratch magnet. I assume this watch would be your daily wearer? If so, I think you should go with the 005/111/104.

Hope this helps, anyway do post pictures when you do get it! Welcome to RWI!

 

[Hazz37]

The 111 is a great every day watch

 

[DrStrangelove]

Thanks. I'm right on the edge of purchasing that 104, I really like it and I've been hearing good things about Trevor all over this board. Thanks for the input. You'll probably be seeing a lot of me around

 

[the_don_robinson]

Hi I'm quite new to this stuff so can only echo the above posts with regards to accuracy compared to gens... I have a 111 on order.

One thing that does seem to come up is that the closed case back reps are generally one step closer than a lot of the clear cased backs. Purely because its sooooo hard to accurately rep the movmt to the same quality as the gens.

Also the more entry level gen pams use a lot of eta movements a base then mod them. From what I have seen here the more accurate reps are hand winds. So you may want to consider this.... Any rep using the rep of the p9000 mvmt will be a tell as its just too hard... At the moment. Just my 2p. Tar



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[DrStrangelove]

I assume this watch would be your daily wearer? If so, I think you should go with the 005/111/104.

Well, I do have a couple of other gen watches that I rotate, but yes I would like it to be one of my daily wearer's

I've never heard the term 'fantasy model' thanks for pointing that out.

I do like the layout of the 104 and will probably spring for the Trevor build. After a while I might try to find a nice titanium model, but I have to space it out a bit to keep it 'credible' I'm definitely in the range where owning a PAM is totally reasonable ( unlike a grocery store bagger etc..) but I don't think I could show up with two of them in the space of six months and pull it off. My friends would DEFINITELY know something was up!

thanks for the advice and kind words, I'm really glad I stumbled upon RWI what a great place!

-Dr.

Any rep using the rep of the p9000 mvmt will be a tell as its just too hard... At the moment.

Hey there thanks for the input, I'm a little bit confused at this statement. is the p9000 movement the one with complications? ( such as the date window or second hand) As opposed to the simple ATA movement with no complications? and what about those using the p9000 movement makes them more obvious reps? thanks ahead of time. I'm learning as much as I can very quickly thanks to kind folks like you.

-Dr.

 

[the_don_robinson]

Don't learn too much from me I'm still a rep noob!

The p9000 is one of the first automatic in house movmts developed and built by panerai. Watches containing them have a variety of complications

A lot of the entry or lower priced pam models will have complications but the movements will be built out and modified eta movements... It seems to me that the better reps seem to be handwind models, I guess as mechanically they are 'simpler' than the autos

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[GFlansburg]

the cal p9000 just a auto movement from panerai, the most accurate one would be a manual wind 6497. In my opinion i would forgo the date window and pick up a 111N. Unless you are dead set on having a date window.

 

[believer123]

I like the 111 myself. It is just "simply" nice.

 

[DrStrangelove]

Thanks, For all the input, I've learned so much on this board in the last couple of days. Thanks for the info about the movements.

I'm not dead set on the date window. and I have hear that the NOOB build 111's are impeccable. In fact the guy I met that had the other Panerai ( it could have been a rep for all I know! ) Thought my watch was a 111. I just mumbled in agreement as I didn't know that much about them at that point.

What are the advantages of the 111 rep over the 104 rep? Is it just a more accurate replication? are there other advantages? Is the 104 rep known to be a dog? thanks in advance. The one thing I'm not too keen on the 111 for is the sandwich face letters. Is there any reason why these are superior?

-Dr.

 

[jesseharmon81]

I applaud the OP (DrStrangelove). A Noob who lurks, learns, and asks some pretty good questions and assessment of his current low grade rep. Welcome aboard Dr. And you can't go wrong with a PAM111

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[nielsen]

Or go even simpler and get a 112. Beautiful! I've had mine for four years now and still wear it regularly. But you will need a good strap, regardless of what you get. As far as I'm concerned, Panerai is all about simplicity of design. No bling here!

 

[the_don_robinson]

The sandwich dials tend to have stronger lume. If your as bothered by that then the 'sausage' dial where the lume is applied to the dial face in the 104 could be a winner. You also get the cool pan logo on the 104!

As an aside you could just say you traded in the old pam and used proceeds to buy a different one!

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