Thoughts on PAM 186 Arktos?

[HeadBender]

I am really tempted to nail a PAM 186 from Toro while he still has some son stock for 158$
Anyone has any experience with that model? I am aware that the CB is not correct and that the 092 CB is more accurate, but for some reason the GMT feature makes it more attractive for me.

Also I am a bit concerned about the size 44mm as I am used to large watches, ~50mm. I had a 45mm Black Seal and it was small but not too small to be honest.

Thanks!

 

[panermaniac]

Hey bud
I usually wear 47s but I have a 186 and it's great. It's really comfortable on the wrist and the chunky bezel makes it seem bigger.

 

[d4m.test]

The best part of this rep is the price. If you don't need high accuracy, then it's a very worthy purchase.

 

[rjmarchant]

Hey bud
I usually wear 47s but I have a 186 and it's great. It's really comfortable on the wrist and the chunky bezel makes it seem bigger.

Agree with you, I´ve received one for a friend from Toro, really nice piece, good size and weight, very good finishing, an overall good deal!!

 

[mysterio]

The height of the Arktos will somewhat compensate for the 44mm diameter. It won't wear as big as a 50mm but it won't feel as puny as a Rad.

 

[Deeje]

I'm on the fence on buying this watch to be my first PAM. Seems like a pretty decent deal and Trevor has it listed for 158 as well. I'm not very familiar with the PAM's but considering the cost and the fact of the movement seems to be fairly stout.

Is the biggest "accuracy" issue on this thing? I'm going to say I don't know as much about their models, so please don't flame me. Here is the image from trevor's site.

 

[tootall]

I love mine. It wears well and the bubble caseback fits nice on the wrist.

 

[iliketowatch]

I'm on the fence on buying this watch to be my first PAM. Seems like a pretty decent deal and Trevor has it listed for 158 as well. I'm not very familiar with the PAM's but considering the cost and the fact of the movement seems to be fairly stout.

Is the biggest "accuracy" issue on this thing? I'm going to say I don't know as much about their models, so please don't flame me. Here is the image from trevor's site.

As a first PAM, I would probably go with something else. Of course this is a highly personal choice but the more traditional Luminors make a better, more versatile watch that you will want to wear often. The 186 (and its non-GMT brother 092, which I own), are novelty watches that I pull out of the case every now and again. My 111's get much more usage and were very affordable. All that said, get the watch you like an enjoy wearing it!

 

[Deeje]

thanks for the recommendation...i haven't pulled the trigger yet, and I think the look is part of the reason...i do like the more traditional looking one as well.

 

[d4m.test]

Is the biggest "accuracy" issue on this thing? I'm going to say I don't know as much about their models, so please don't flame me. Here is the image from trevor's site.

I think you are asking "What" is the biggest accuracy issue?

Case: Surprisingly lug shape and good bezel shape. The cardinal markers are very accurate. the knurling on the side seems to have the correct height, but not the same ridge shape
CG: Totally wrong, the factories used the same CG as the PAM092, which has a brushed version of the contemporary A-F CG. This watch should have the historic shaped CG with a non-rollerball lever. You will need to take the lever from this CG and transplant it into a current Noob CG
Dial: overall not bad, but the recessed sub dial is too shiny (gen has same paint and finish on the sub dial as the rest of the dial.), also the dial needs a relume. The hour markers on the angled part of the dial are lumed on the gen, but unlumed on the rep.
Hands: Wrong shape, the gen has a rectangular shape cut out area between the lume and cannon pinion. The rep lume area is the wrong shape. For this to be correct, you need the hands from the H factory pam237 or pam089
Date Wheel: wrong skinny font, gen is bold
Caseback: completely wrong on this version. There is a very rare version of an old rep that has the correct caseback.