I am writing this review with a bit of trepidation as I know this is the grail watch for many a risti, and many a geek. Also, there is a wealth of information on this piece on the forums and I only just recently stumbled onto its charm, so please be gentle with me if I miss out the 0.5mm difference in lug shape, or 0.25mm difference in numeral drift :undecided:
Anyhow, this is going to be the stock 5218-201A latest version from DSN versus the Gen. As many know, the 201a needs to be upgraded bit by bit and I'll delve into what I know the mods are later on.
Front
1) LUMINOR PANERAI, though correct font, correct color, correct sharpness, seems a half size too large
2) Same for the logo
3) CG is incorrect profile, much too small/thin as compared to the thick lugs and shape of the gen
4) CG pin is protruding and rounded (candidate for a polish)
5) Crown is too thin (bevelled too much as I'll show later)
6) Shape of 6 is incorrect closer to the bottom. The gen has a squarish shape to it at the base
7) The 9 suffers the same issue as the 6 just inverted
8) The 2 doesn't have the small hook/clump at the tip as the gen, though the tail and sharpness of the cut in looks good
9) Mentioned before, the gen 201a dial has a satin finish. The DSN one is closer to a matte finish.
No AR on the crystal which is accurate.
Crown
Copied from my 040 review
As you can see, DSN's SS crown suffer from having the correct thickness but too much bevel on the edges giving them a visually thinner appearance and rounded edges
CG side
1) Incredibly thin. A good 1~1.5mm missing. No curved upper portion, not thick like gen. Better off polishing this and making it an A-F series CG
2) Bezel base is too thick and doesn't have the rounded edges like the gen
3) Crystal is too thin, doesn't poke up above the bezel
Profile side
1) Notice the bezel base again, much clearer here
2) DSNs screws are much too large. Gen like in that both sides are screwed in, but too large. Unconfirmed, but someone mentioned the gen is 1.6mm whereas DSN is 1.8mm
Other than that, I can't comment on the lug profile. It looks decent. Perhaps a bit short, but the downward slop looks continuous almost, the base looks right and there doesn't seem too much of an angle either. Please correct me if I'm wrong
More comments from w0lf whom I differ to for his knowledge on Pre-V PAMs
Back
1) Gen engraving is larger in font size. The model number look accurate though
2) Logo engraving is too small and sits further up. You can notice that the "centre" of the caseback is on the leg of the down arrow. DSN has it on the head of the arrow
Also, many have commented that DSN's caseback is too thin by 1~2mm as compared to gen. As I don't have any shots for comparison, do note this.
Lume
DSN 201a on left, DSN 040 on right. 1sec exposure, 2min interval. No PS effects added.
Technically, a vintage 201a shouldn't be glowing at all
But it still is pretty to see
Conclusion
Dial
I must say the engraved dials though are stunning in person to see. I'm still mesmerized by it and love it more than my sandwich 111I.
Upgrade options
Dial first, only 1 option. FishGoDeep on RWG, aka FGD makes some. Couple of versions out and the few I've seen look stunning. Definitely more accurate than DSNs. None are being made at the moment but scuttlebutt is a new batch may appear in May/Apr 2010
Crown: Multiple options. T48 stainless steel (discontinued). Opcrown is making new ones. Some older crowns emerge now and then like Palps etc. So you take your pick.
CG: Multiple options. Gen G~current series CG is accurate. V or LH are the next two best CGs to get, as close to gen as possible. Seadbo ain't a bad option, though mildly thinner than the gen, but not noticeably. Torobravo as well has one out.
Caseback: There's a thread on RG of a custom caseback project going on. Better engraving with a thicker caseback is promised. Only option currently available unless you do it yourself. Also an old version rep 201a caseback is available that is significantly more accurate, but these have to be hunted down in the sales forums.
Case: There's a project starting on RWG to build an accurate Pre-V caseset.
My conclusion? I'm going to be modding the hell out of this piece. Got the crown, CG on the way, awaiting an FGD run should it occur. I needed a base in my collection, and now that I have this piece, I can understand why it's known as the "Grail" for many ristis. The Logo has a special place in any collection and you should go get one.
Anyhow, this is going to be the stock 5218-201A latest version from DSN versus the Gen. As many know, the 201a needs to be upgraded bit by bit and I'll delve into what I know the mods are later on.
Front
1) LUMINOR PANERAI, though correct font, correct color, correct sharpness, seems a half size too large
2) Same for the logo
3) CG is incorrect profile, much too small/thin as compared to the thick lugs and shape of the gen
4) CG pin is protruding and rounded (candidate for a polish)
5) Crown is too thin (bevelled too much as I'll show later)
6) Shape of 6 is incorrect closer to the bottom. The gen has a squarish shape to it at the base
7) The 9 suffers the same issue as the 6 just inverted
8) The 2 doesn't have the small hook/clump at the tip as the gen, though the tail and sharpness of the cut in looks good
9) Mentioned before, the gen 201a dial has a satin finish. The DSN one is closer to a matte finish.
No AR on the crystal which is accurate.
Crown
Copied from my 040 review
As you can see, DSN's SS crown suffer from having the correct thickness but too much bevel on the edges giving them a visually thinner appearance and rounded edges
CG side
1) Incredibly thin. A good 1~1.5mm missing. No curved upper portion, not thick like gen. Better off polishing this and making it an A-F series CG
2) Bezel base is too thick and doesn't have the rounded edges like the gen
3) Crystal is too thin, doesn't poke up above the bezel
Profile side
1) Notice the bezel base again, much clearer here
2) DSNs screws are much too large. Gen like in that both sides are screwed in, but too large. Unconfirmed, but someone mentioned the gen is 1.6mm whereas DSN is 1.8mm
Other than that, I can't comment on the lug profile. It looks decent. Perhaps a bit short, but the downward slop looks continuous almost, the base looks right and there doesn't seem too much of an angle either. Please correct me if I'm wrong
More comments from w0lf whom I differ to for his knowledge on Pre-V PAMs
Back
1) Gen engraving is larger in font size. The model number look accurate though
2) Logo engraving is too small and sits further up. You can notice that the "centre" of the caseback is on the leg of the down arrow. DSN has it on the head of the arrow
Also, many have commented that DSN's caseback is too thin by 1~2mm as compared to gen. As I don't have any shots for comparison, do note this.
Lume
DSN 201a on left, DSN 040 on right. 1sec exposure, 2min interval. No PS effects added.
Technically, a vintage 201a shouldn't be glowing at all
But it still is pretty to seeConclusion
Dial
I must say the engraved dials though are stunning in person to see. I'm still mesmerized by it and love it more than my sandwich 111I.
Upgrade options
Dial first, only 1 option. FishGoDeep on RWG, aka FGD makes some. Couple of versions out and the few I've seen look stunning. Definitely more accurate than DSNs. None are being made at the moment but scuttlebutt is a new batch may appear in May/Apr 2010
Crown: Multiple options. T48 stainless steel (discontinued). Opcrown is making new ones. Some older crowns emerge now and then like Palps etc. So you take your pick.
CG: Multiple options. Gen G~current series CG is accurate. V or LH are the next two best CGs to get, as close to gen as possible. Seadbo ain't a bad option, though mildly thinner than the gen, but not noticeably. Torobravo as well has one out.
Caseback: There's a thread on RG of a custom caseback project going on. Better engraving with a thicker caseback is promised. Only option currently available unless you do it yourself. Also an old version rep 201a caseback is available that is significantly more accurate, but these have to be hunted down in the sales forums.
Case: There's a project starting on RWG to build an accurate Pre-V caseset.
My conclusion? I'm going to be modding the hell out of this piece. Got the crown, CG on the way, awaiting an FGD run should it occur. I needed a base in my collection, and now that I have this piece, I can understand why it's known as the "Grail" for many ristis. The Logo has a special place in any collection and you should go get one.
