Project PAM (members advice needed)

[red]

Ok, guys I was all set to buy Davidsen's 5218 201a when I realized that the dial was not right. He currently offers the sandwich, and the dial is supposed to be filled. Not to mention the AR problem.
What I was hoping to get from everyone was the things I would need to build a perfect closed back historic. I have a budget of about $350, maybe slightly more to get something indistinguishable from a rep.

So please weigh in.
Who has the perfect dial?
Caseback?
Crown guard (polished or brushed)?
Sapphire (AR?)?
Crown?

Thanks again for those who participate in this thread.

 

[razerreg]

Ok, guys I was all set to buy Davidsen's 5218 201a when I realized that the dial was not right. He currently offers the sandwich, and the dial is supposed to be filled. Not to mention the AR problem.
What I was hoping to get from everyone was the things I would need to build a perfect closed back historic. I have a budget of about $350, maybe slightly more to get something indistinguishable from a rep.

So please weigh in.
Who has the perfect dial?
Caseback?
Crown guard (polished or brushed)?
Sapphire (AR?)?
Crown?

Thanks again for those who participate in this thread.

@red: if you want a perfect 201a, you will need an older DSN dial(it will be a tough find), crown guard is brushed and NO AR on the sapphire. that should be as close as it gets on the historic. hope this helps a little

 

[Cucumber_Jones]

Mine is on the left and the gen is one the right...

DSN 1st gen dial enzo filled and moded - dsn 2nd gen case.

 

[shadowplay]

Wow Cucumber that looks great, I just got a 201a from David and that would set it off to a t.

David

 

[hooligan]

Yeah, C_J's dial is a bit closer overall than DSN's current offering, IMO. The print on his newest dial is better, the one like C_J's is a bit to thin. However, the new dial has cut-outs that are way too thin and the 6 and 9 are not closed enough. Overall, I'd take the dial like C_J's, have vaccum fill the indices, swap on a Palp crown and remove the AR. You'll not be able to do this for less than $350, though. Unless you go with DSN's Asian movement.....

Davidsen's 002 is another option for a really nice rep. I think that's the route that I'm going to go. Although, I don't know if I'll remove the AR. It's a pain and can be explained if someone asks about it. (Panerai service has been known to replace crystals with AR coated if you send your older PAM in for repair.)

 

[shadowplay]

Good observations Hooligan, I have the new davidsen and I like it as it is but I think it would really benefit from getting the indices filled in. Hopefully if I can find a modder willing to do it I can post pics for comparison. Davids 201 has a really nice soulful feel to it amd I think you can see he cares in the watches he produces. Though this mod will really make a difference.

D

 

[red]

Cucumber-The Enzo filled dial looks great.
I agree with everyone here about the look of the 201a. It definitely has a subtle flair akin to a few of the historics. How much does it cost to fill the indices? Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[hooligan]

If you like PVD, a DSN 202A with filled markers is pretty damn close to spot-on, as well. Perhaps a Palp PVD crown, but that's about it.

 

[flavor flav]

the 201-a is becoming one of my favorites! i can fill the indices to look painted as the gen was and it makes a world of difference! tricky job but alot of fun.. i really enjoy these!

 

[cool_panerai]

I dont like crown, logo (it's too big, as pam 005) and case. The cases of the standard reps (like Joshua and Andrew reps) are much closer to Pre-V cases. You can see differences on paneristi.com, here:

http://www.paneristi.com/archives/cased ... index.html