Now in 2016 : what the ULTIMATE 202a Parts Combinaison for the ULTIMATE 202a Replica

[Rambo73]

Hi Fellows


I remember having register in wrist-check in 2009 because of the 5218-202/a (my first dive into horology)
Ive spend months and months and months trying to gather informations (not in my original language) , purchasing individual parts , ending getting a DSN 202a (first batch) , Later a nice 111H (but both with Swiss Eta)...and then getting desperate while experiencing a LOTS of medical drama in my own life and others around me.


from time to time i emerged here but sadly the last 2-3 years was worst than the others (full plate of medical appointment & bills) at a point i have made several depression and was wondering if i could make it throught...


couples of days/weeks ago I told to myself , "Damn , Lets Try Enjoying Life the Best i can before its too late"
I Remembered Watches Forums And how Cool theses place are to be and I decided to blow the dust out of my wood box filled with 202a parts


Now in 2016 , a lots of water have flowed under the bridges and i wonder whats the PERFECT Combinaison of parts for getting the PERFECTION for building a 202a.


------------------------------------------
I have a very TIGHT budget now and this watch will be the VERY LAST ONE I will build/pay for ! (its Sad , but its Beautiful in the same time)
so i want it to be SPOT ON compared to a GEN and Most importantly compared on my already wasted money on my old 202a/111H wich im totally disgusted when looking at them now. (it break my heart , literally)


You can show me yours 202a , you can upload 3 photos only per member (Case / Crown-CG / Caseback) and must include a list of trusted dealers and the ULTIMATE Parts they can provide for completing one of a HELL 202a.
and when i mean HELL , I mean SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL Stuff here , THE BEST OF THE BEST , La Creme De La Creme!


I need your help Gentlemen


Lets the Party Begin


EDIT : Here the parts I have so far :


http://i.imgur.com/vxqfgZ9.jpg


---2x Swiss Eta Movt (wrong decoration)
---2x FGD (or Southy) Pre V Dial (unlumed) & Hands (Cant remember the source...)
---2x Pre V buckle (need PVD Coating) (Cant remember the source...)
---2x kind of Crown (one PVD , two steel) (Cant remember the source...)
---2x kind of Crown/Movt steel rod (Cant remember the correct name in english neither the provenance...)
---2x kind of 5218 tube 24mm (cant remember where i sourced them years ago...)

Your Help , Explanation , Descriptions , Photos will be EXTREMELY appreciated and will help me as others also who could dive into Pre V Ocean

Thanks you so much in advance

 

[kilowattore]

Here's mine (now gone to a friend's home).
DSN case, correct crown, DSN CG, SD dial:



Not the best 202/A at all though, just a nice build at a reasonable price
I have yet to see these new crowns sold by Davidsen.

 

[Rambo73]

Not the best 202/A at all though, just a nice build at a reasonable price
I have yet to see these new crowns sold by Davidsen.

It was a nice piece
im lost with DSN old vs new crown
a nice fellow showed me this , i THINK its the new model with double O ring , I want to compare with old dns crown
I dont know wich one is the closest thing to Gen 202a
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/7f19acc9031b2cb8be2050272e4bc3ec.jpg

I THINK that i have T48 Crown in my parts , dont know if it could be usable in my project...

 

[Rambo73]

Question , Wich Panerai Style Screwdriver SIZE i need for the PRE V "Panerai 5218" 24mm Screw ?
somes expert know if its 1.60mm Flat Screwdriver type that i need ?

 

[Rambo73]

Ive heard about David Wong Pre V case (if someone have one for sale for me , PM me !) and Noob 111J and many others... but its easy to lost track and get lost in the process to understand wich case would be closest thing to gen one for my build

QUESTION : Did you think I could use my DSN 111H as Pre V case base with some mods or its truly better not ?
(your feeling about his newest 201a Pre V case also ?)

 

[kilowattore]

The biggest question is what's your budget imho. A pre-v build can get to be quite expensive.

The crown in your link is the right one, only missing the two o-rings.

 

[Rambo73]

W-O-W : Just discovered Ale Review : https://forum.replica-watch.info/vb...SETS-Noob-vs-KW-vs-H-maker-ALE-Klockis-Review

Great Post , I will read it completely as soon i got an evening alone for this !!
TOTALLY AWESOME Review !!!

 

[Rambo73]

The biggest question is what's your budget imho. A pre-v build can get to be quite expensive.

The crown in your link is the right one, only missing the two o-rings.

...to have spend that amount of money on my old dsn 202a / 111H is frustrating , i should have waited before doing theses purchased to focus my tight money budget on my project but the best thing out of it now is that i have two ETA movt !
I already invested in Pre V buckle & FGD dial ...but dial are unlumed and from what ive read , Rolli/FDG make better one (but truly expensive)
...I wonder if the two i have could do the work in terms of HIGH END replica

I will try to make macro shots with my low budget equipment and post them in order if "Cognoscenti" out there find it could do the job or not

To answer your question : Budget is tight , but will do my BEST to make a FINE piece of Art , thats for sure , since it will be my last watch purchase!

 

[Rambo73]

The biggest question is what's your budget imho. A pre-v build can get to be quite expensive.

The crown in your link is the right one, only missing the two o-rings.

Mille Grazie for the informations Kilowattore !
I will seek for theses.

About CG ?
Little Hero ones , DSN New Pre V ones ? aside them , someone produced GEN lookalike CG ?

 

[d4m.test]

Let me start off by saying if you have a very tight budget. This might not be the project for you. This will get expensive very quickly
to build a top tier 202/A:
noob case $150
DSN CG $40
DSN crown (old version) $30
Rolli dial $400
or
FGD dial $100
DSN hands $30
Custom caseback $170
swiss movement $200
Case shaping and modding $0/$200
custom PVD $500

or you can just buy the DSN for $280

 

[d4m.test]

Here's mine (now gone to a friend's home).
DSN case, correct crown, DSN CG, SD dial:



Not the best 202/A at all though, just a nice build at a reasonable price
I have yet to see these new crowns sold by Davidsen.

That dial has an amazingly gen like appearance. It sounds silly but the Rolli dial is very clean and has the appearance of a professionally made Swiss dial, which it is. The gen Pre-V dials that have passed through my hands all have an intangible hand made slightly messy look that is impossible to fully reproduce. The SD dial above does a nice job of capturing that look. If only he could have found a better pad print vendor.

 

[kilowattore]

That dial has an amazingly gen like appearance. It sounds silly but the Rolli dial is very clean and has the appearance of a professionally made Swiss dial, which it is. The gen Pre-V dials that have passed through my hands all have an intangible hand made slightly messy look that is impossible to fully reproduce. The SD dial above does a nice job of capturing that look. If only he could have found a better pad print vendor.

I have a 201/A incoming and a couple 203/A in the making from SD. He says don't do pad printing anymore... I've seen a couple on HF and they look nice, I can't wait to see how they look IRL.
These could be my last pre-v's though unless someone takes up the work from where Davidsen seems to be leaving it. I had a hard time sourcing the parts and I think I got his last double o-ring SS crown and pre-v CG.

 

[Rambo73]

Let me start off by saying if you have a very tight budget. This might not be the project for you. This will get expensive very quickly
to build a top tier 202/A:
noob case $150
DSN CG $40
DSN crown (old version) $30
Rolli dial $400
or
FGD dial $100
DSN hands $30
Custom caseback $170
swiss movement $200
Case shaping and modding $0/$200
custom PVD $500

or you can just buy the DSN for $280

I know its a expensive project
but i have been able to source theses parts actually

--Certified Swiss ETA movt 6497 (prestine condition)
--FGD 202a dial with brass part under it (purchased around 2012 if i remember....I dont know if its an old model compared to the ones he make now)
....I could be tempted for Rolli/FDG one if they are truly so "spectacular" compared as Gen , thats for sure!
--FGD Pre V Hands (look spot on to me)
--24mm Pre V lug screw (to me its gen alike , but i will provide macro shot compared to gen one , matter of discussion here)
--Rolexfinder Pre V Buckle (need PVD coating)
--T48 Crown
--unknow black crown (will provide macro)
--in discussion actually with Jakob for caseback
--in discussion with DSN for Old Crown (double O ring)
--when time will arrive , Dirk Grandry for sure

The MAJOR parts im hunting currently is Eddie Lee or David Wong Pre V case , or DSN 201/a re-shaped one with Rolli Style PVD coating service
(Ive heard that Rolli dont make it anymore and that you are the sucessor Grimlocktime ?)

I want the most beautiful (as compared to Gen) CrownGuard (its one of the major parts to be accurate to my eyes)
DSN have improved his since 2010 , but im sure better one exist from other makers (subject to discussion)

All in All , I think I do not start with nothing , But i need help getting correct FINE Pre V Caseset and most important of all , the PVD coating finition.
Ive seen Fitch one and its the only PDV coating i will accept ! (you know the right "sparling light effect")

Grimlocktime ,
QUESTION : what did you think of DSN 201/a Stainless Polished case as a starter before re-shapping it ?
the only thing that disturb me a little in my project is he told me he dont have Old Pre V Crown Stainless polished anymore , ONLY PVD ones.
did a chimical process allow to "erase" the old PVD finition without altering the shape of the crown in order to give it a better PVD coating that will match the case ?

 

[Rambo73]

I have a 201/A incoming and a couple 203/A in the making from SD. He says don't do pad printing anymore... I've seen a couple on HF and they look nice, I can't wait to see how they look IRL.
These could be my last pre-v's though unless someone takes up the work from where Davidsen seems to be leaving it. I had a hard time sourcing the parts and I think I got his last double o-ring SS crown and pre-v CG.

If you want to sell the SS Crown & CG Kilowattore , im first in line please

 

[kilowattore]

If you want to sell the SS Crown & CG Kilowattore , im first in line please

I would have offered yoi, it's good to see pre-v enthusiasts around, but the parts will end up in a 201/A build as soon as I receive the dial.

Case-wise, the consensus is noob makes the best one. DSN case has nice lugs but it's missing some meat on the shoulders imho. Grim's the master of reshaping, he knows a lot more about this

 

[d4m.test]

I would have offered yoi, it's good to see pre-v enthusiasts around, but the parts will end up in a 201/A build as soon as I receive the dial.

Case-wise, the consensus is noob makes the best one. DSN case has nice lugs but it's missing some meat on the shoulders imho. Grim's the master of reshaping, he knows a lot more about this

far too kind. I have only learned from those that came before, and truthfully my reshape work will never be as good as the people I have learned from.

Regarding the case. The DSN case is adequate, but suffers from
-Short lugs: that will destroy expensive straps.
-1.9mm lug holes: the correct size is 1.7mm. Once you've seen it it can't be unseen.
-Off center crown position
-internal machining that will not allow for some dials and movements without modification
-bezel shape: not correct and can't be corrected because his case will not accept gen parts.

When something is worth doing, it's worth doing well

Here's the list:
Eddie Lee
Noob V1-V3
David Wong

my own personal 203/A:
Noob M series
Gen Bezel
Gen crystal
Gen crown
DSN CG
WSO lug bars
Custom PVD
relumed DSN hands (FGD are not the best available)
Southy dial
Coming soon gen 203/A dial and hand set.

 

[Rambo73]

far too kind. I have only learned from those that came before, and truthfully my reshape work will never be as good as the people I have learned from.

Regarding the case. The DSN case is adequate, but suffers from
-Short lugs: that will destroy expensive straps.
-1.9mm lug holes: the correct size is 1.7mm. Once you've seen it it can't be unseen.
-Off center crown position
-internal machining that will not allow for some dials and movements without modification
-bezel shape: not correct and can't be corrected because his case will not accept gen parts.

When something is worth doing, it's worth doing well

Here's the list:
Eddie Lee
Noob V1-V3
David Wong

my own personal 203/A:
Noob M series
Gen Bezel
Gen crystal
Gen crown
DSN CG
WSO lug bars
Custom PVD
relumed DSN hands (FGD are not the best available)
Southy dial
Coming soon gen 203/A dial and hand set.

Grim : Macro shots to explain FDG vs DSN hands difference is possible ?
+ macro shot Southy vs Rolli/FDG 202a Dials is possible ?

I tried to make decent photos , not easy with my equipment

FDG Pre V 202a Dial : need details to understand difference vs gen 202a dial

FDG Pre V hands : need details to understand difference vs gen 202a hands

Here the SS Crown i have (T48 ? someone can identify it ?)

Elias told me I would need this model :

 

[Rambo73]

Fitch got this specs history :

W0lf Pre-V caseset with Rolli's custom PVD coating
Rolli/FGD Pre-V 202/a dialset
Gen swiss movement
Dirk Pre-V style strap
C3 Crystal
David Wong Caseback

Its exactly the kind of PDV Coating Finition I want for my build (**little special sparkling effect** identical to Gen 1993 202a watch ive seen so far) and the lume color of the dial index , spot on ! I want a non-matching dial to swap from time to time , but i like this one too !!

C3 Crystal seem to be the one to get , but I would like to find a better comprenhension about DSN New 202a Crystal vs C3 , to understand if i should choose DSN one or decide to go C3

Anyway , I will try to not spray questions to widely , I will try to focus parts by parts , starting by : THE CASE , CROWN , CG (the base)
Somes say global consensus is DSN , somes other talk about Eddie Lee , others David Wong , Noob J , Noob M serie , etc etc , so its pretty confusing for me.
I understand that im in a spectrum line where somes are truly rare find , while others can be ordered right away.
...its sure that i dont want to wait another 6-7 years to finish this build as time do not allow me , but im ready to wait and find a FINE Pre V case (already ready or have to be re-shapped with the help of talented & skillfull members.

If i have only ONE shot to shoot to get a FINE Pre V Caseset for my FINE 202a Build (without waiting 6-7 years to source it and without purchasing it immediatelly)
what you will choose today guys ?

 

[Rambo73]

GEN PHOTOS FOR ANALYSE/RESEARCH :

http://www.network54.com/Forum/6117...E+in+new+old+stock+conditions!!!!!+(+peace10)

http://www.chrono24.ca/panerai/pre-...militare-pvd-non-matching-dial--id5251765.htm

 

[d4m.test]

The dial:
you appear to have two versions FGD dial there. One older first generation lumed dial and a more recent from his last batch. That is unlumed. The unlumed dial is more acurrate. To really understand the difference between Gen Pre-V and FGD you need to study some pictures. The more you study the more you'll gain a keen eye for the differences.
Number shape - 2 and 3 have some small differences
Text - no serifs on the FGD
Surface finish, indice depth, etc, etc... too many to mention.

The Crown:
not sure what version you have. Looks like a very old Cartel crown. The old DSN is much better.

The hands:
get the DSN and have them relumed. The FGD minute hand is too thick arond where it attaches to the CP. The DSN is totally correct.

The Case:
get the noob and have it modded and custom coated. Expensive? Yes, but better than anything out there. With the work of the right shaper and the correct coating, you will have a near perfect case.