pam 196 info/advice

[sean.d]

hi guys as the tittle says i am in the market for a 196. i just fell in love with them over the weekend my problem is this i know very liitle about them Gen or Rep.

i do know that the older style EL case is the best, i know it needs to have a polished bezel, crown guard and non recessed subdials but thats extent of my knowledge. most of our dealers stock various versions including a val 7753 ver but what other faults do they have other than the sunken dw on the 7750.

i have also came across one for sale with the old EL case and lello dw with a recently serviced 7750. (is the lello still sunken)

so guys any advice would be greatly apreciated, i think i actualy read somewhere to stay away from this model just to many flaws, but as the old saying goes you cant help who you fall in love with

thanks

 

[guru]

a 196 with a gen 7753 does not have a sunken DW. If you can find the old school case it will be an easy swapp. take a look to some wristshots posted from rooster

 

[sean.d]

Cheers Guru

 

[cskent69]

The best 196 is the following combo:
1. New dial and hands from the V2 ETA7753
2. ETA 7753
3. LEO or LELLO DW for 7753
4. Old school case
5. Mod old school case to fit new 7753 as most were A7750.
6. T48 crown

Overall. A very very expensive project to get a watch that is about 85 pct there. Also, rumor is that new versions of this are coming out. Might just want to wait...

 

[sean.d]

The best 196 is the following combo:
1. New dial and hands from the V2 ETA7753
2. ETA 7753
3. LEO or LELLO DW for 7753
4. Old school case
5. Mod old school case to fit new 7753 as most were A7750.
6. T48 crown

Overall. A very very expensive project to get a watch that is about 85 pct there. Also, rumor is that new versions of this are coming out. Might just want to wait...

Damm lol whats the other 15% of trouble? thanks for the info cskent

 

[hooligan]

I wouldn't hold my breath that the new versions will have the better, old school type case. The "new" part comes from the A7753 that is supposed to be coming out. We'll see.

 

[cskent69]

So - here is mine - according to the formula that was outlined above:

The major tell is the dial (which is a big piece of the equation to me - hence the 85%). But beyond that , the old school case is about perfect (minor nit picking).

 

[rooster133]

Hey Sean, this is a major project to take on, chiefly because of the limited availability of parts. It took me a long time to get mine together and that required looking everywhere for parts: I got the dial from Hont, the old case from a member, the DW from Lello, the movement from Domi, etc. Then I also got it vac-lumed and double-AR'd. It was a painstaking process, though nothing is quite as exciting as finishing the project.

I don't think a repped 7753 will be out for quite a while, so if you really like the watch I'd suggest two alternatives: keep checking the member sales section and see if one comes up for sale (whether finished or not). They're rare and pricey though. The other option is to get one with the 7750 and do the DW mod. That is, get a proper DW and find a watchmaker able and willing to raise it. I got that raised DW mod done to two watches: a PAM250 and a Breitling B01. It works very well but the problem is finding someone who will do it for you (my watchmaker has said never again!). Francisco made a tuto about it - look for it. And of course, that also means that the date change will be done through the crown rather than the push button...

If you still want to go ahead, I do have some parts that I will probably get rid of fairly soon. They include an old case (in average nick) and a Lello DW for 7753. Stay tuned.

Here's a photo of mine, by the way (sorry for the phone pic):

 

[hooligan]

cskent, can you show us a profile shot of the bezel?

 

[rooster133]

Coincidentally, I just saw a case and some parts up for sale on RWG! Go check it out. The seller is bertieng.

cskent, how come your case says "tachymeter"? I thought the old case should have the UK spelling "tachymetre".

 

[budo]

I'm kind of getting the parts for a movement swap, but now I don't know, with the roumers of a A7753 comming up in the summer. I know that things like this, allways takes longer then expected, but how realistic is it that the A7753 will be made?

Anyone knows if a Taka 7750 datewheel will fit a gen 7753 movement?

I have the case, the dial, the hands and a Taka 7750 DW. Don't know if I'm ready to take the full step, and buy a ETA 7753...

@ Sean, try to write Hont, I got a 7753 dial from him at a good price. It's not perfect though, it got the resest subdials and the printing isn't as clear as on my A7755 dial.

I think it's the same as Rooster got on his 196, and I must say that it looks great though on that wrist shot, so maybe it's the right way. Nice one there Roster

Happy hunting

 

[rooster133]

I know that things like this, allways takes longer then expected, but how realistic is it that the A7753 will be made?

I'm betting it won't happen any time soon. Definitely not this year. But I would love to be proven wrong.

Anyone knows if a Taka 7750 datewheel will fit a gen 7753 movement?

No, you need a DW for 7753. Leo on RG has some of those. Taka said he would have some soon. I have a Lello 7753 DW that I'm selling. Let me know if interested.

I have the case, the dial, the hands and a Taka 7750 DW. Don't know if I'm ready to take the full step, and buy a ETA 7753...

You still need the proper DW for 7753. The 7750 won't fit. Just put it under the dial and you'll see what I mean. Different sizes and location on the dial altogether.

@ Sean, try to write Hont, I got a 7753 dial from him at a good price. It's not perfect though, it got the resest subdials and the printing isn't as clear as on my A7755 dial. I think it's the same as Rooster got on his 196, and I must say that it looks great though on that wrist shot, so maybe it's the right way.

Interesting... I don't think mine has overly recessed subdials (or if they are recessed it's very subtle), but there is some kind of circle around the subdials that is visible under a certain light and angle. Not sure if all 7753 rep dials (or some gens for that matter) are like that. The type seems as clear as on the other 7750 versions. I guess there are different varieties? Often for parts like these it depends on what your supplier can find on the day at the market... You may also want to try Robert (aka T4D). I think someone said he was able to supply some of these dials in the past.

Mate, if you have all those parts already, go for it! All you need is the movement and DW and you're ready to go. In the meantime, if I were you I'd send the dial to be superlumed and the crystal for an AR job. It'll save you some time...

 

[budo]

Here's a pic of the 7750 dial on the movement and the 7753 dial on the side. I must admit that I like the clear white print on the 7750 better.

There's a economical side to it too, ETA 7753's aren't free :lol: But I see your point and I'm getting there.

 

[cskent69]

GOOD EYE!

Ahhh, that is my little secret! Mine is a one of a kind due to that...

Can't give away all my secrets...

Of course, it exists both ways in genuine form... I will post the profile pic later this evening.

 

[sean.d]

guys, getting some good info here

@budo is the dial on the 7750 not closer to the gen? the swiss made placement seems to me to be better placed and also no recess on the subdials

 

[cskent69]

Here's a pic of the 7750 dial on the movement and the 7753 dial on the side. I must admit that I like the clear white print on the 7750 better.

There's a economical side to it too, ETA 7753's aren't free :lol: But I see your point and I'm getting there.

Two good dials - both with problems.

Left dial (7750) better numbers but wrong datewindow placement. My issue with this is the PANERAI font is way way off. I have this thing against the low bar "A"'s.

Right dial (7753) the numbers are off. The recessed subdials are also off. But the PANERAI font is closer

Pick your poison. I also can't stand the recessed datewheel - so it always ends up being 7753 for me.

 

[wisrep2010]

Here is my old style case, Palp crown and superlumed 196 with 7753 and standard ETA date wheel - has found a good home a while ago ;-)

 

[rooster133]

Wow, awesome pics! I really should stop taking pics of my watches with my phone...

And thanks for the comparison shot of the dials too, budo! Interesting stuff! I see what you mean... Funny that as usual in this hobby, there's never one perfect dial. They fix one thing, they screw up another... But of course, we're talking ridiculously minor details now.

I do think the 196 is one of the most fun and challenging projects.

The alternative of course is to get someone to raise the DW on the 7750 (easier only if you find someone willing to do it, as it's a fiddly job). I got it done to a PAM250, which has since gone to a good home:

 

[sean.d]

ok so today i purchaced a 196, with EL old school case and lello dw 7750. its a good start i think.

damm you penerai.


pics borrowed from sellers post

 

[babola]

Good choice, Sean...it's an Asian 7750 but one to boot, old-school for sure.

Of all the 196 reps shown in this thread, the one to qualify as the best and true old-school with ETA7753 is the one shown above by 'wisrep2010'. Ver 1 case with lower and narrower profile bezel, correct dial without sunken subdials, and the cardinal numerals of correct thickness and font. One of the drawbacks is the droopy horizontal bar on letter A and few other minor issues but that's pretty much it.

Wisrep, not surewho did you end up selling yours, but that surely looks like the one I bought from Hooligan in '08...? Hmmm...

Awesome stuff, nevertheless!