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Short review for PAM196 Daylight with ETA7753

taiji

Active Member
30/11/06
486
12
18
Hi guys.

I haven't done any review for a long time.

I will like to post a short review for my new PAM196 so please be gentle with my post.
(Some pics shown below belong to some respected members. Please let me know if you do not want to be shown in my post)

For members who are new to this model, the rep factory had produced the PAM196 reps with ETA7753 and A7750 movt.

For this review, I will only focus on the old school PAM196 with ETA7753 only.

The plus for the version with ETA7753 are;
1.) Datewheel is non recessed like the gen
2.) Changing of date is via the push button at the side of the case near 10 o'clock position like the gen
3.) Correct bezel height and crisp engravings with the correct font size
4.) Superb case construction
5.) Case back is thick and heavy like the gen comes with correct engraving details (BB, OP codes) for G series PAM196

The minus are;
1.) Expensive (going for $950 or $1K mainly because of the movt)
2.) Incorrect date wheel (standard rep comes with standard ETA font datewheel but this is an easy fixed by contacting 2geek or leo for their correct font datewheel)
3.) Non ARed crystal (Easy fix by contacting chieftang or 2geek for their AR run)
4.) Poor lume on the dial (Easy fix by contacting rex, ziggy etc)
5.) Thin crown (Easy fix by contacting opcrown or t for their crown and you can purchase the stem together from them)
6.) Dial details are incorrect (see pics below)

The rep factory came out with 2 versions of dial for the PAM196 with ETA7753.

First version

4708742555_b112b842df.jpg


This is probably the best rep dial ever made before DSN's version.

Good :
- The sub dials diameter are spot on

Bad :
- The extra "tick" beside the numeral "12" in which the gen do not have
- The position of the lume markers of the right sub dial pointing the "10" and "20" are incorrect
- The lume maker at 6 o'clock position is too long

Second version

4709408516_76d27c8630.jpg


Good :
- No extra "tick" next to numeral "12"

Bad :
- Sub dial diameter are incorrect as they are smaller
- All sub dials are recessed
- Text font and indices are too bold
- Placement of " L swiss made L" is incorrect
- If you get the whole watch with this dial, chances are the bezel is incorrect as the height is lower than the old school version

DSN's latest version

4708817763_d7a2511b44_b.jpg


Good :
- Dial details are very well done
- Sub dials diameter are correct (except the sub dial near 6 o'clock)
- The position of the lume markers of the right sub dial pointing the "10" and "20" are correct
- Superlumed dial
- No extra "tick" next to numeral "12"
- Correct bolded DW number font
- Price is reasonable IMO

Bad :
- Bezel height is a bit off
- Bezel engraving font size are larger
- Crown is sitting too near to the side of the case leaving no gap
- Lever tip on the CG is larger and looks off
- The subdial diameter at 6 o'clock position is slightly smaller
- Case back engravings not as crisp as the old school caseback
- Some member say that DSN's caseback are usually off as they are thinner and weigh lighter

Well, above are all the versions covered for PAM196 rep with ETA7753 (I guess)

I have a chance to put together all the goodies mentioned above into one.

Introducing my new PAM196 with DSN's dial, hands and DW combining with old school case / caseback, single AR crystal, T48 crown and Gen CG

Some comparo pics

4709340176_7a03983b53.jpg


4709340284_7cb84b94ae.jpg


4708697911_a8c2dbd7b5.jpg


4709340434_7891255f16.jpg


Hope you enjoy reading it :)

New pics

4781899621_7d23638474.jpg


4748591297_deaebe20d5.jpg


4745407378_702fb5bcaf.jpg
 

rooster133

Mythical Poster
Advisor
25/7/08
6,358
29
0
Great stuff. Thanks for this!

By the way, I got mine double-AR'd by FineDD. He did a great job and he's a great option for members in the EU.
 

taiji

Active Member
30/11/06
486
12
18
thank you for this great review!

You are welcome.

Hope this review can help members to decide whether it is worth to proceed the mod (if they are having the old school case) or simply buy a DSN's 196 and make improvement from there
 

taiji

Active Member
30/11/06
486
12
18
Just want to bump this review for those who PM me.

Who u enjoy reading it
 

taiji

Active Member
30/11/06
486
12
18
Bump for new members who are interested abot ETA7753 daylight reps.

Happy reading
 

n0yxl

Getting To Know The Place
14/10/10
48
0
0
Very nice watch!

I own a DSN 196G, as well as and "old school" low-beat A7750 196G that I would like to use for a project very similar to what you had done to this timepiece. I would like to take the ETA 7753 + dial (basically the "guts" of the DSN) and have them installed into the "old school" case. I think that I would need a new crown and CG, but IDK what else I would need.

Can anyone recommend someone that would be able to perform this confidently? There used to be a modder named Ziggy but I don't think he's around anymore?

Thanks guys!