PAM604 Firenze Movement Swap?

[AHX]

Hi guys,

So I love the PAM604 Firenze with that amazing engraved case, but I'm not a big fan of the replica in house movement because it is unserviceable. At least locally I would not be able to take it to any watchmaker as they would likely refuse to work with me once they start to disassemble it and realise it is a fake movement even if they are unfamiliar with the brand. I have a PAM005 too but I can eventually swap a Swiss in for that and swap the hands/dial/crown over.

So I was curious, are the clone Pxxxx movements interchangeable with Asian/ETA/Unitas 6497-2 movements in the cases and with the crowns? Are the hands and dials swappable between these movements as well as the case and crown? How feasible is this?

I'd be up for just installing a completely new movement and dial/hand set from a different rep if required, I just want that case and crown set!

 

[droberts]

I believe KW had a version with a 6497.

 

[AHX]

Trusted dealer here? That would definitely work as long as the case set is good! I know some of the first reps were plexi instead of sapphire. I was thinking a sterile California dial with gold hands would look gorgeous in this case. Just a homage, not an accurate rep of any models.

 

[droberts]

Any TD can get it. I believe the one with the 6497 movement had Plexiglass and not the sapphire crystal. It was much cheaper than the ZF version for those two reasons. Sead/Supermirrors had them for sale at one time for $179 not sure what current pricing is.

 

[AHX]

I getcha. Cool, I'll have to check it out. Do you know if the case quality was as good as the expensive version? Thanks!

 

[droberts]

I believe ALES guide shows a comparison of all three cases, KW, ZF and SF. You might check there and see.

 

[AHX]

Yes it does, perfect, thanks! Movement/dial/hands sorted, I wonder if I can put a sterile case back on it...

 

[Thrasher]

If that's got a clone three or four in it don't change it till it breaks mine have been very durable with great power reserve!

 

[droberts]

Yeah I'm sure the TD can source you a sterile solid caseback.

 

[droberts]

That's good to know Thrasher. I've been wondering the long term reliability of those clone movements.

 

[christobear]

Man I had seen these engraved cases before but for some reason assumed they weren't repped.....this may be next on my list

 

[chris3007]

Just let me know when you sell your p.3000 movement after the swap.


Sent from my iPhone 6

 

[AHX]

If that's got a clone three or four in it don't change it till it breaks mine have been very durable with great power reserve!

Based on ALE's guide I actually think I might be better off with the cheaper Asian 6497 movement watch. The case quality is relatively similar, the only downside is the plexi crystal but considering I am making a homage to the Radiomir 3646 California dial, plexi is maybe not such a bad thing. I can reuse the hands and case, swap a Swiss movement in later on, and swap a California dial in when I swap the movement in. It won't be accurate to any PAM but with a replaced or refinished caseback it will also be totally sterile since the PAM604 doesn't even have a logo on the crown.

The other alternative is to make a more dedicated Radiomir 3646 replica by using a 3646 case from DSN and swapping in a Caliber 618 movement. But since I'm not looking to convince anyone this is a Panerai, accuracy I guess is not super important and I love that engraved case! Nobody who knows watches is going to believe I own a gen 3646! I top out at base PAM for gen believability.

Yeah I'm sure the TD can source you a sterile solid caseback.

Good idea. I have never done this but I will give them a go.

Man I had seen these engraved cases before but for some reason assumed they weren't repped.....this may be next on my list

Same! The replica is not suuuper accurate on the details of the engraving, everything is "correct" but the finishing is not as detailed. However the gen will vary anyway as they are hand engraved. The only killer is the movement, I hate buying reps with in house movements because there is no path to make them serviceable later. There are no watchmakers where I live that would want to deal with a rep.

Just let me know when you sell your p.3000 movement after the swap.

As above I'll probably go the cheap route but if I do decide I want the sapphire caseback, I will make sure to list it here and let you know.

 

[Thrasher]

Based on ALE's guide I actually think I might be better off with the cheaper Asian 6497 movement watch. The case quality is relatively similar, the only downside is the plexi crystal but considering I am making a homage to the Radiomir 3646 California dial, plexi is maybe not such a bad thing. I can reuse the hands and case, swap a Swiss movement in later on, and swap a California dial in when I swap the movement in. It won't be accurate to any PAM but with a replaced or refinished caseback it will also be totally sterile since the PAM604 doesn't even have a logo on the crown.


The other alternative is to make a more dedicated Radiomir 3646 replica by using a 3646 case from DSN and swapping in a Caliber 618 movement. But since I'm not looking to convince anyone this is a Panerai, accuracy I guess is not super important and I love that engraved case! Nobody who knows watches is going to believe I own a gen 3646! I top out at base PAM for gen believability.



Good idea. I have never done this but I will give them a go.



Same! The replica is not suuuper accurate on the details of the engraving, everything is "correct" but the finishing is not as detailed. However the gen will vary anyway as they are hand engraved. The only killer is the movement, I hate buying reps with in house movements because there is no path to make them serviceable later. There are no watchmakers where I live that would want to deal with a rep.



As above I'll probably go the cheap route but if I do decide I want the sapphire caseback, I will make sure to list it here and let you know.

I'm sure Pratt could servive this, change movement and get you a different caseback. I don't hesitate to send my watches to Pratt in Singapore which is much closer to you than me.