My replica - any info or opinions

[Jon_UK]

So I thought I would introduce you lovely people to my Panerai rep - I don;t really know much about it to be honest, other than the fact that it is supposedly a titanium case and the quality of it feels great! The lume is very strong (on par with my gen Tag Autavia) and the dial is a nice looking sandwiched affair. The only thing that lets it down is the strap buckle but that is an easy fix.

If anybody can shed any light as to where it may have been manufactured I'd be grateful.

 

[nsquared]

Who or where did you purchase it from?

 

[Dogma]

I would guess Hont or DSN.

 

[PHicks]

Looks like DSN to me, but I don't claim to be a PAM expert!

The movement doesn't have a swan neck and the gears are not beveled so I may be wrong.

The dial looks DSN though!

Either way, it's a nice looking watch. The Ti model was in short supply for a while.

 

[Jon_UK]

Who or where did you purchase it from?

I purchased it from a fella over here in the UK to replace a clone I had - my girlfriend had managed to accidently put a cup down on it and smash the glass :S

The watch was bought second hand.

 

[hooligan]

Definitely not DSN. The dial and the crown are giveaways to that fact.

It appears to be a "standard" 177 rep. Very nice. The crown looks to have the same sort of oddly flattened teeth that the Ti case sets from helenarou had.

Overall quite nice. Keep an eye on the "OFFICINE PANERAI" on the movement bridges, though, Jon. They are simply stick-on letters and have been known to work themselves loose and get caught up in the movement.

 

[Big L]

Looks very nice for a first rep.. how much was this?

 

[alvinado]

Hooli is right... not a dsn, normal rep 177h...

see here, the dial looks the same just that hont's one have a swan neck with ar sapphire crystal... you should have got your around $120-$150 range?

http://www.hontwatch.com/index.asp?productID=8592

 

[greg_r]

Nice low-end PAM 177. A very good start. Thinking about buying one myself before long.

It looks very like the model that was released this time last year - basic Asian movement, no swan neck and stick-on labeling on the bridges, but a very nice dial and case. I seem to recall them selling for around $170 at the time, so second-hand at around $120 wouldn't be an unreasonable price for it used. The movement is bomb-proof and the watch should last you years. As previously mentioned, though - keep an eye on the stick-on Panerai lettering on the movement - the letters have a tendency to come loose. More recent reps tend to use a single waterslide transfer, which is less troublesome and looks better too.

 

[Jon_UK]

Hey folks - thanks for all of the input! It certainly looks like you've nailed it - I paid £75 for the watch which fits in with what you are all saying.

If the movement isn't that great, is it perhaps possible to change it for a better unit?

 

[hooligan]

Better functionally or better aesthetically?

There is nothing wrong with the movement from a functionality standpoint.

 

[Jon_UK]

Better functionally or better aesthetically?

There is nothing wrong with the movement from a functionality standpoint.

Well, I was going to say aesthetically but I have just noticed I'm missing a letter "R" on the case and I'm worried it might be lost in the movement :?

 

[hooligan]

Uh-oh!

You could replace it with a new A6497 that has the engraved text and the dagger/swan neck regulator. DSN could probably source for you. Although you're in the UK, so maybe Rocketeer has a spare lying about?

 

[Jon_UK]

I think I may need to speak to him.... if only for his name

 

[OmegaPOFL]

hmm i dont know alot about pams BUT the Lswiss madeL is too close to 6. lol that's about all i could say anyways nice looking watch!!

 

[Jon_UK]

hmm i dont know alot about pams BUT the Lswiss madeL is too close to 6. lol that's about all i could say anyways nice looking watch!!

You know, that's the first thing that jumped out at me! It's funny though, none of my non watch friends notice... it's just the quality and weight they comment on. I guess that's what makes us a special

 

[lan61t]

The experts in here can tell you many reasons that this is a rep from a mile away

 

[fakemaster]

Let's see that mile away shot shall we?

 

[Jon_UK]

The experts in here can tell you many reasons that this is a rep from a mile away

Go on then, hit me

 

[alwayslate]

The experts in here can tell you many reasons that this is a rep from a mile away

You insinuating that the experts on RWI are bug-eyed telescopic freaks?