{*PCTeam*} Differences between old and new 8 days Luminor Case-sets

[ALE7575]

There is an interesting thread on Risti showing by pics the differences between the "old" Luminor cases and the "new" cases of modern Luminor: http://www.network54.com/Forum/3533...Luminor+vs+Luminor+8+Days+~+PAM+546+-+PAM+590

There is some previous info here:
http://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=68428563

It is clear through those pics the cases are "very" different. New case is thinner, with thinner and different lug profile, the bezel is also thinner and seemingly has a wider base
CG overall seems very similar but maybe is also a bit thinner and the external upper edge seems more rounded

New Crystal is really flush with the upper part of the bezel, and bevelled is clearly smaller.
Rehaut is higher and seemingly a bit conical shaped

Differences are evident knowing about them, it is harder to realize changes without previous knowledge.

New challenge for rep makers: It is no possible to get 8 days Super reps without a new case, but there is another problem to be added, because Unitas 6497 is clearly thicker than Manifattura P.5000 and cannot be introduced in the new case. We would need a new Clone P.5000 movement to fit the new cases, and this is actually a true challenge.

Hard times for PAM rep makers: Current level of PAM Super reps doesn't allow the same case for two different models. We have no perfect old Luminor case-set, there is some things to be corrected in current rep Luminor case-sets, as we perfectly know, and now a new case in the scene.
Is it worth to improve the old Luminor case-set ?
Or would it be better to concentrate efforts in the new case?
I think PAM rep fans would ask for both.

We will see. Time will tell it
ALE

 

[PeterRei]

Thanks ALE.
Is it just me or do the edges of the new case look totally different (wider)?

 

[kilowattore]

I love this new case set, the flush crystal makes it so elegant!
Couple of things I noticed are the dial sits deeper inside the case and the bezel rim is thicker at the base.
Do you think changing this last detail in rep case could allow crystal to be mounted flush? If so it could be a way to achieve similar appearance without changing the movement.

 

[sanankid]

Nice case update.

 

[ALE7575]

Thanks ALE.
Is it just me or do the edges of the new case look totally different (wider)?

Sorry, What do you mean?

I love this new case set, the flush crystal makes it so elegant!
Couple of things I noticed are the dial sits deeper inside the case and the bezel rim is thicker at the base.
Do you think changing this last detail in rep case could allow crystal to be mounted flush? If so it could be a way to achieve similar appearance without changing the movement.

Bezel is thicker at the base but I think is overall thinner. Crystal has also smaller bevelled

Thickness of Unitas 6497 will not allow to place deeper the dial

Lugs are very different knowing this matter

Maybe another bezel and another crystal will be able to do something but no close to real thing

ALE

 

[PeterRei]

Sorry, What do you mean?

I'm not sure about that, but when you look at the case in the first picture, the edges of the new case seem to be less rounded or sharper (or however you would call it).

 

[ALE7575]

I'm not sure about that, but when you look at the case in the first picture, the edges of the new case seem to be less rounded or sharper (or however you would call it).

I get it now

Maybe is a matter of focus or lighting because in other pics seems gen sharper
I think that this kind of finish will remain the same. Although PANERAI most likely will improve finish at the new models.
I have seen new gens 8 days in person and I didn't realize differences about sharpness (but I was not searching for that)

ALE

 

[d4m.test]

Here's my observations about the major differences I see with the caveat that due to focus and lighting, the details are some what hard to be sure of.

Bezel: I think it could be the same height. But the vertical edge at the base seems to be taller, thereby making the diameter slightly smaller at the base. This gives it the illusion of being not as tall.
Crystal: hard to tell if the bevel is smaller. On my own builds, I will frequently press the crystal almost flush with the bezel (I think it looks cleaner), perhaps Panerai figured this out and started also pressing their crystals more flush with the bezel.
Lugs: These are shorter and more slim than the recent luminor cases. They remind me very much of the Pre-A, A, (and a few) B series 6502 cases.

 

[ALE7575]

I have observed another important difference

Side view distortion of the crystal is almost absent in the new 8 days, whereas in old crystal is very evident !!

It looks much better now

ALE

 

[d4m.test]

I have observed another important difference

Side view distortion of the crystal is almost absent in the new 8 days, whereas in old crystal is very evident !!

It looks much better now

ALE

This is a result of double AR

I don't like double AR. I actually prefer the distortion. For me it's part of the charm of a Panerai. But I'm a no AR Pre-V - A Series nutcase.

 

[ALE7575]

Here's my observations about the major differences I see with the caveat that due to focus and lighting, the details are some what hard to be sure of.

Bezel: I think it could be the same height. But the vertical edge at the base seems to be taller, thereby making the diameter slightly smaller at the base. This gives it the illusion of being not as tall.
Crystal: hard to tell if the bevel is smaller. On my own builds, I will frequently press the crystal almost flush with the bezel (I think it looks cleaner), perhaps Panerai figured this out and started also pressing their crystals more flush with the bezel.
Lugs: These are shorter and more slim than the recent luminor cases. They remind me very much of the Pre-A, A, (and a few) B series 6502 cases.

Thanks Grim for these observations

Crystal: I agree with you, it is possible than bevelled is the same and only changes the pressing of the crystal

Bezel: it is obvious the vertical base is wider and the inclined part has less slope than old (new is more vertical). Regarding total height, it seems thinner than old but I cannot be sure without a comparison from the same angle

Lugs: I'm not sure the lugs are shorter, in the lower part of above second pic the modern lug seems clearly shorter, but in the upper part of the complete pics form Risti seems the same or even longer. Maybe is a matter of angle. As above commented for the bezel we will need to wait for comparison pics from the same angle

ALE

 

[bronica]

How do the rep 8 days compare to the gen?

 

[kilowattore]

How do the rep 8 days compare to the gen?

ATM all the Luminor 8 days share the same old style case.
In this aspect, they are all inaccurate.