the zilla has landed!! WTFWTHOMFG!

[babola]

Nice one, although massive and not suited for my 6.45" wrist...attention to detail is definitelly getting there on recent reps...can't wait to see an updated 212 in the future

cheers,
babola

 

[ragerover]

That thing is massive! In certain areas of the world, I'm sure it would be considered a weapon! A lot of the Panerais I would have never considered buying. But the more I hang aorund here and look at great collection, my mind has been changing.

I have read many of your posts. I must say that they have always been very informative and the pics have been great!

I've noticed in many of your pics, there is often a medical based book under the watch. Are you a med student by any chance?

 

[ragerover]

Just to add, you have nice taste in cameras too. I have the same camera.... I love my Leica lensed Lumix.

 

[azgjav]

Very nice review. I received mine a few days ago as well. I do think the markers are well stuck on. It is a little rough where the bezel marker meets the bezel but so is the gen. I am glad to hear you can take the bezel apart. Mine doesn't rattle but it it is clanky when you move it. I also noticed it has the same bezel marker at 12 issue as the 187 where it never looks straight relative to the 12. Planned upgrades include relume, insert of plastic around the cg pin (too loose), adjustment of the bezel, upgrade of the date font when it becomes available and possibly removing the silver ring around the inside of the dial. That ring is a remnant of the 187 version where it is on the gen. To my eye that ring should be removed on the 194. I am told it is aesthetic and serves no purpose. As you may have said it is the relief He valve rather than the engraved one as on the Honpo 187 rep and gen. Curious to know whether you think the part of the bezel marker which hangs over the bezel is properly polished and whether you think it is the usual chrome over copper or actual SS markers. By the way my guess is the markers are glued. Did you notice when you took the bezel apart? By the way 120 clicks?

mine was clanky, loose and doesn't align..but it's alright now. if u can remove the bezel, stick clear tape around the circumference on the part on the watch where the bezel sits. that should take out all the play and dull the clankiness. as for the malalignment, just cut off a lil of metal from the metal click srping. shld work. if u screw it up u'll get a 120 click bezel like mine. :lol:

i sort of like the ring as the polished outline of the hour markers...will leave them as that. as for the datefont, i've a modded swiss 7750 with the old a7750 196 datewheel. think i'll get my watchmaker in sg to do a swap.after which the date font shld be spot on!

the bezel markers on mine is very well finished, but shows signs of pitting when i scrutinise them under sunlight (ouch! my eyes!!). think they're chrome plated. they're def not screwed on like the gen, no signs of screws on the underside of the bezel.

i've modded the cg lever as well, simple mod involving inserting a short length of black pvc tape into the hole on the CG lever and reinstalling it. takes abt 2min and costs practically $0.00001

 

[azgjav]

Nice one, although massive and not suited for my 6.45" wrist...attention to detail is definitelly getting there on recent reps...can't wait to see an updated 212 in the future

cheers,
babola

yeah, i agree, the recent offerings have been amazing! the quality of the contemporary series like the 24/186/88/236 are easily on par if not better than the seikos i have in terms of fit and finish. the quality of the ss used are of pretty high quality as well; they don't have as much dirt and impurities as before. i shld take a photo of my polishing cloths one day..

my wrists are 6.5"..i think you'll be able to pull it off just fine! 8)

 

[azgjav]

That thing is massive! In certain areas of the world, I'm sure it would be considered a weapon! A lot of the Panerais I would have never considered buying. But the more I hang aorund here and look at great collection, my mind has been changing.

I have read many of your posts. I must say that they have always been very informative and the pics have been great!

I've noticed in many of your pics, there is often a medical based book under the watch. Are you a med student by any chance?

thanks! i'm trying my best to give an objective review of the reps as WATCHES. i'm not going to fool myself believing that my $300 rep is 99.99% genuine..

yupz, i'm a medical student! first year..having my exams now actually.

 

[galevin]

I'm on a panerai buying spree at the moment but that watch reminds me of what some gothic or trekkie kid would wear. Not crazy about all that friggin metal but if the opportunity arose for me to buy one cheap, I'd do it and see if I could get use to it. I hated panerai a few weeks back but I've done a complete reversal and I'm crazy about them now (wear one daily now).

 

[azgjav]

some eyecandy shots..

compared to the 186..

and look at the thick a$$ crystal!