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Will a DSN crystal fit with my standard 111H case ?
- Thread starter Pix
- Start date
Nothing, all is perfect, the job is fantastic (did other mods too).
The PAM came from D4M and is really nice, especially the movement and high canon pinion. (movement is Asian swan neck and Panerai looks engraved and well placed, at least better than what I already had on my 112H)
But I hate the blueish Ar and I feel it's mineral although Greg confirmed it can only be sapphire (this model only comes with sapphire)
You know, the kind of strong blue that covers all the crystal in some conditions, not just a blue hue here and there.
But the water drop test, the nail test and the fact that is has a loupe effect (or call it bottle glass) when looking at certain angles (the dial dissapear into a kind of yellowish smudge) makes me think it could be mineral.
I want to find a crystal that will allow a clear lecture of the dial under any angle, and I think that's one feature of sapphire.
Besides, if I want to remove that blueish AR on a (possible) mineral crystal, I'm afraid to scratch it.
I put a lot of money in it (more than a DSN) and it really looks gorgeous (will post pics soon). The last detail is this crystal. I don't want to spoil all efforts due to an (important) flaw (it's the first thing you see)
The PAM came from D4M and is really nice, especially the movement and high canon pinion. (movement is Asian swan neck and Panerai looks engraved and well placed, at least better than what I already had on my 112H)
But I hate the blueish Ar and I feel it's mineral although Greg confirmed it can only be sapphire (this model only comes with sapphire)
You know, the kind of strong blue that covers all the crystal in some conditions, not just a blue hue here and there.
But the water drop test, the nail test and the fact that is has a loupe effect (or call it bottle glass) when looking at certain angles (the dial dissapear into a kind of yellowish smudge) makes me think it could be mineral.
I want to find a crystal that will allow a clear lecture of the dial under any angle, and I think that's one feature of sapphire.
Besides, if I want to remove that blueish AR on a (possible) mineral crystal, I'm afraid to scratch it.
I put a lot of money in it (more than a DSN) and it really looks gorgeous (will post pics soon). The last detail is this crystal. I don't want to spoil all efforts due to an (important) flaw (it's the first thing you see)
Pix said:
The "water drop test" and the "nail test" are not terribly scientific, unfortunately. I had a PAM212 with the Seagull movement that I *know* was mineral crystal and it passed the water drop test.
I'm sitting here looking at my gen PAM114E and I get the same dial distortion/bottle glass effect when looking at it from certain angles.
Yes, DSN's crystal should fit, I swapped the crystal from my DSN 010 into a standard rep case (actually, vaccum swapped it) without any issues.
- 15/4/07
- 14,909
- 54
- 48
What Hooooools said X2. The sapphire test on even some gens will fool you. My Chopard GTXL 7750 version fails the water drop test but I had a friend test it and it was positive for sapphire. I think it is the AR that makes the water test invalid. IDK, I am not a scientist so this isn't proven but my 111h is the same and I was told it was sapphire. Pix if you find that elusive crystal, I will go in on it with you, I don't care what the gen is like. :wink:
Thx for the comment and confirmation on the gen.
It must be me then
The PAM came with a sticker "sapphire", but, you know, I don't always believe what our Chinese friends write...
Also, sapphire usually sounds lighter when ticked with a nail. Here also, nothing scientific, just doubts in my mind.
I came to this conclusion after my experience with my other reps where sapphire never showed this problem.
I'll buy a cheap diamond tester on ebay to make it sure. Then I'll strip the AR by myself, without too much hesitation, if sapphire is confirmed.
The only case where the water drop test failed for me was my Asian SFSO, supposed to have mineral. Which always made me doubt that the difference was on the paper, to "help" buyers going for the more expensive one. And with its 5mm thick crystal it never showed distortion.
Even if not correct from the replication point of view, I want to go for a CT double AR, to really enjoy the blackness of the dial. At least I don't want this (too) blue tint anymore.
It must be me then
The PAM came with a sticker "sapphire", but, you know, I don't always believe what our Chinese friends write...
Also, sapphire usually sounds lighter when ticked with a nail. Here also, nothing scientific, just doubts in my mind.
I came to this conclusion after my experience with my other reps where sapphire never showed this problem.
I'll buy a cheap diamond tester on ebay to make it sure. Then I'll strip the AR by myself, without too much hesitation, if sapphire is confirmed.
The only case where the water drop test failed for me was my Asian SFSO, supposed to have mineral. Which always made me doubt that the difference was on the paper, to "help" buyers going for the more expensive one. And with its 5mm thick crystal it never showed distortion.
Even if not correct from the replication point of view, I want to go for a CT double AR, to really enjoy the blackness of the dial. At least I don't want this (too) blue tint anymore.
- 15/4/07
- 14,909
- 54
- 48
Remember that 111H I posted? My friend saw it and said, "That watch is stunning and finished so much better than the 177 you gave me." How could I resist a good friend in pain. :lol:
So, I have to start again and get another. I am also going to strip and re-coat AR but I know that won't eliminate the distortion. I think Vac just did a 111H Chief AR and it is phenomenal!
So, I have to start again and get another. I am also going to strip and re-coat AR but I know that won't eliminate the distortion. I think Vac just did a 111H Chief AR and it is phenomenal!
Oh, and I forgot the main point in all this : I'm not complaining actually
It was for me the first time to see Vac's job in the flesh, and I understand now the "glowes like a torch" sentence... Once charged, if you're in the black, it really behaves like a small torch. Lume also lasted all night (never happened to me before).
He swapped the crown, which I believe was necessary, CG and pin mod. High canon pinion from factory (this is new to me), Asian swan neck and excellent text placement. I do believe I have a nice piece here
Is it me saying that ? :lol:
I've never felt I needed mods before that 111H. And now I'm bit and want to have many others relumed (VCO, Ingie, Blackbird and my POrsche 6340)
:shock:
I'll post pics later this week to have all PAM addicts opinions and see how I can further improve the thing.
It was for me the first time to see Vac's job in the flesh, and I understand now the "glowes like a torch" sentence... Once charged, if you're in the black, it really behaves like a small torch. Lume also lasted all night (never happened to me before).
He swapped the crown, which I believe was necessary, CG and pin mod. High canon pinion from factory (this is new to me), Asian swan neck and excellent text placement. I do believe I have a nice piece here
Is it me saying that ? :lol:
I've never felt I needed mods before that 111H. And now I'm bit and want to have many others relumed (VCO, Ingie, Blackbird and my POrsche 6340)
:shock:
I'll post pics later this week to have all PAM addicts opinions and see how I can further improve the thing.
Pix - :lol: Feels like I've been doing nothing but look at crystals for the last few weeks :wink: :lol:
Should be no problem with a DSN sapphire, I've even supplied them as replacements for gen watches with a change of gasket. The only issue I've ever had with fitting a DSN sapphire is in some of the low cost cases that are built with thinner crystals installed, where the DSN sits too high unless you mod the case.
The only proper way to check for a sapphire is with a hardness tester, but if you have a sapphire and a mineral crystal side by side the sapphire will be heavier and has a noticeably better 'colour' and 'clarity' when viewed edge on, the mineral will look almost milky in comparison.
With a clean mop and generous use of compound or diamontine paste, there is very little risk in polishing mineral crystals. I often polish scratches out of mineral crystals during gen restorations using diamontine paste.
OK, coffee break over, :roll: :lol:
Should be no problem with a DSN sapphire, I've even supplied them as replacements for gen watches with a change of gasket. The only issue I've ever had with fitting a DSN sapphire is in some of the low cost cases that are built with thinner crystals installed, where the DSN sits too high unless you mod the case.
The only proper way to check for a sapphire is with a hardness tester, but if you have a sapphire and a mineral crystal side by side the sapphire will be heavier and has a noticeably better 'colour' and 'clarity' when viewed edge on, the mineral will look almost milky in comparison.
With a clean mop and generous use of compound or diamontine paste, there is very little risk in polishing mineral crystals. I often polish scratches out of mineral crystals during gen restorations using diamontine paste.
OK, coffee break over, :roll: :lol:
Hi Rocket,
nice to see you here !!
I've just ordered a diamond tester on ebay...
Here are some pics (exagerated but show my feelings)
but also
[/quote]
I feel like I'm not far from Nirvana... but a piece of glass is stopping me :mrgreen:
nice to see you here !!
I've just ordered a diamond tester on ebay...
Here are some pics (exagerated but show my feelings)
but also
I feel like I'm not far from Nirvana... but a piece of glass is stopping me :mrgreen:
Pix, I see nothing wrong with your crystal and I'm afraid you may be wasting your money.
Have you verified if it is sapphire or not?
Try scratching it with a spring bar tool....
Again, my gen Panerai has the same distortion at the angle that you posted above.
Have you verified if it is sapphire or not?
Try scratching it with a spring bar tool....
Again, my gen Panerai has the same distortion at the angle that you posted above.
Just to make things clear : indeed I've been fooled by the water drop test.
The diamond tester I just bought says my crystal is sapphire (caseback is mineral).
So no more need for a DSN (or whatever) crystal.
Just a good AR stripping and recoating...
Rocket, are you there ?
The diamond tester I just bought says my crystal is sapphire (caseback is mineral).
So no more need for a DSN (or whatever) crystal.
Just a good AR stripping and recoating...
Rocket, are you there ?
Finally, as I know I'll have to wait an other 2 or 3 monthes before having a Chieftang's AR done on that one , I stripped the AR by myself (first time, and yes, it IS sapphire, as it survived the treatment ).
Can't be more happy, honestly, it's much nicer without AR.
I'll be able to wear my brand new 111H without seeing this horrible blue in the corner of my eye.
Pictorial to follow soon, I promise
).Can't be more happy, honestly, it's much nicer without AR.
I'll be able to wear my brand new 111H without seeing this horrible blue in the corner of my eye.
Pictorial to follow soon, I promise
I used a cape cod cloth to remove the AR on my "Ultimate" 001 from Angus. Worked like a champ...
I tried with Capecod and acetone first, but I guess it would have lasted long There were no obvious results after 10 minutes.
So I went with a dremel, brush + polishing cream, and it went pretty quickly. Then I finished the job with capecod.
The longest job was to reassemble the whole, especially the crown, knowing that I'm a real newbie in this field : the worst thing, I liked that !
There were no obvious results after 10 minutes.So I went with a dremel, brush + polishing cream, and it went pretty quickly. Then I finished the job with capecod.
The longest job was to reassemble the whole, especially the crown, knowing that I'm a real newbie in this field : the worst thing, I liked that !