PAM088 GMT - Advice on Modifications

[Ruski91]

Hi Everyone,

I am attaching pictures of my PAM088 GMT. A little background, I bought this watch from a non TD about a year ago. It works great (Reserve could be a little better) but now that I have found this forum i feel like i am going crazy. I am noticing flaws left and right and trying to look for ways to fix them.

- Caseback is not correct
- Minute Hand too thin
- CG is completely off and way to thin


Please take a look and let me know what you think in regards to which mods i can do (Keep in mind i am a complete newbie). I am thinking that I should start with a new case w/ cg from Noob Factory and a new set of GMT hands as a start. But please share some thoughts!

Ok ok on to the pictures:

- Ruski91

 

[karesz501]

Sell it here and buy the latest H factory version without the blue AR tint.
This could be a nice beater for anybody....

 

[Ruski91]

Sell it here and buy the latest H factory version without the blue AR tint.
This could be a nice beater for anybody....

point well taken karesz, i have considered that option. But was wondering if there was anything i could do hands on to improve it instead of just giving up and starting fresh.

 

[Ruski91]

should i have posted this in the modifications section??

 

[goin6633]

Sell it and buy a new one will be the best !
Mod it will cost you lots more than buy a new one and the mod result will not better than latest rep models .
My mod suggest will be :
Full relume service ,
Crystal AR coating ,
Swap to better date wheel ,
Fix the sunken date wheel problem ,
Replace a better crown guard ,
Replace a better crown ,

How much for these ?
I'm sure these will cost mkre than a new rep 088 .

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[karesz501]

should i have posted this in the modifications section??

No, you have posted it in the right section. But IMO, PAMs came a lonng-long way and apart from the 2 main factories and DSN there is no real need and supply for quality pieces AND more importantly parts.

Simply the quality of super PAM reps is so high, there is no real demand for parts. Factories however are selling the watches assembled, apart from casesets.....

Believe me, buying the ultimate is your current best bet, its under 300 usd...

 

[Ruski91]

Thanks guys i really appreciate it. Goin, you pointed out some things that I didnt even realize (Sunken Date wheel), wow good catch.

I guess you guys are right, i thought it would be a much easier fix than all that, but it looks like i will have to sell this one and replace it with the new version.

How much do you think this one would be worth, its in great shape, body doesnt have a single scratch on it, deployant clasp shows basic wear and tear. its a shame i bought it from a non TD (Swss.cc) and they charged an arm and a leg, I wont say how much to spare myself the humiliation.

 

[Ruski91]

Believe me, buying the ultimate is your current best bet, its under 300 usd...

Karesz, i just checked the puretime site (Angus) and he has the pam088I H-Maker for $328 and then a PAM088 Ultimate for $428

Where have you seen this for under 300usd just out of curiosity.

- Ruski91

 

[karesz501]

I've sold my 237 under 300 a couple month ago
Try other TD-s apart from PT, they are one of the most expensive ones...

And goin knowsthe story well, he is a respected PAM modder in Asia

 

[ALE7575]

Hi Rusky
You are a lucky man, you have at your service two of the best PCTeam consultants here.
I agree with their opinions; it is no worth to mod it. Buy a new version
Read the PAM GUIDE for PAM088:
"Reference PAM REVIEW-GUIDE" - Replica Search, Identification, Evaluation & Selection
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/reference-pam-review-107365?t=107365

EVALUATION: (**) SUPER REP (H maker new model I-series) – (*) FIRST CLASS REP (F-series other reps & I-series DSN)
The PAM 088 is identical to the PAM237 except with a silver grey seconds@9 sub-dial. This silvered dial gives to this watch a lot of personality and due to that it is a very appreciated model.
The PAM 088, started in 2001 D-series, is a watch with GMT markers in the dial. Panerai changed to inner dial markers from 2000 with the PAM 063, before that the PAM 023 and 029 had GMT markers in the bezel (Explorer type)
PAM 088 is the first GMT Panerai with seconds@9 sub-dial, older models, PAM 023, 029 and 063 have central second hand.
PAM 088 is also the first GMT Panerai with all silvered and well visible GMT hand, before PAM 088 the models PAM 023, 029 and 063 had a semi-illegible GMT hand, on which only the arrow pointer was visible.
Like all GMT it has skeleton main hands.
There are several replicas F-series from all regular dealers and also I-series from DSN. They all are very similar and First Class reps.
Now there is a new best version I-series from H-maker seemingly more accurate and with better markers colour which we can consider it as a Super rep.
Very good candidate for a first PAM replica.
REPLICA links:
(**)http://www.puretime.co/product/pam088-i-h-maker-colorless-ar-edition-on-black-rubber-strap/
(**)http://www.timesshop.net/12344-pa7070b-pam088-i-gmt-h-factory-black-ss-lt-asian-7750
(*)http://www.timesshop.net/noobfactory/11620-xfpa2900-pam088-luminor-gmt-black-dial-ss-lt-asian-7750
(*)http://asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=141&P_id=1315&ti=
(**)http://www.trustytime.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_51&produ cts_id=8846
(*)http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/new-born-088-99657
(*)http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/dsnwatches/Pam%2044mm%20Steel%20Automatic%20Luminor%20Marina% 20%20watches/New%20Born%20088%20I/
GEN links:
http://www.paneraisource.com/watch_details/Contemporary_31
http://www.paneristi.com/reference/vendome/gmt
http://www.panerai.com/s_page.xpd?id_lingua=2&id_sezione=16&id_prodotto=6 67&id_categoria=37

 

[Ruski91]

Hi Rusky
You are a lucky man, you have at your service two of the best PCTeam consultants here.
I agree with their opinions; it is no worth to mod it. Buy a new version

Ale, i your guide is my go to place every day for anything pam related. Thats exactly how i realized that my PAM088 was off. I am amazed by all of the interesting things that you, goin, karesz, and the other consultants have to offer for all of us each day. It is truly a pleasure to read what you guys have to say day in and day out.

You have all successfully made up my mind. My only question now is which one to get. Your guide says the H-Maker, Karezs told me the Ultimate. There is a significant price gap so I am not sure which one to look at. Also what are the differences between the two of them.

 

[karesz501]

Ale, i your guide is my go to place every day for anything pam related. Thats exactly how i realized that my PAM088 was off. I am amazed by all of the interesting things that you, goin, karesz, and the other consultants have to offer for all of us each day. It is truly a pleasure to read what you guys have to say day in and day out.

You have all successfully made up my mind. My only question now is which one to get. Your guide says the H-Maker, Karezs told me the Ultimate. There is a significant price gap so I am not sure which one to look at. Also what are the differences between the two of them.

The latest H maker version is the ultimate, without the blue tint. Again, my advice is not to order through the web as a beginner, chose a dealer that communicates with you and you can tell what you really want/need.

I'd give a try to Sead, he is not Chinese and has excellent customer service.
On PT site, the usd428 watch was added in 2008(!!!), that is the older ultimate version, forget it. They just confuse you. The H maker is THE ultimate 088, it costs usd 328 + shipping.

 

[Ruski91]

Thanks for the clarification karesz.
I will certainly look into selling the old one and getting the h-maker version.

i appreciate you help!

 

[ALE7575]

I'd give a try to Sead, he is not Chinese and has excellent customer service.
On PT site, the usd428 watch was added in 2008(!!!), that is the older ultimate version, forget it. They just confuse you. The H maker is THE ultimate 088, it costs usd 328 + shipping.

I cannot agree more.
Perfect karesz !!
If you check the dealer catalogues you can see a lot of old "ultimate versions" just for non advised people.

ALE