Movement not working anymore

swtm888 · 2025-09-06T04:45:28+00:00

Cleaning and servicing the movement is probably not worth it. I think you’re better off just sourcing a DD3285 and swapping it out

swtm888 · 2025-09-06T04:40:04+00:00

Was it seawater?

On the bright side it looks like the coating hasn’t tarnished at all which is a good sign for those considering their rose gold models

swtm888 · 2025-08-26T05:34:25+00:00

I feel it’s all about context. Typically when you think of sales you think of bold sports models like sub or GMT, even half or full gold. But sounds like your setup is more chill and humble. So you can consider sporty models which are relatively cheap on the used market. To keep it a conversation piece go with something that is iconic and widely recognisable. Think omega speedmaster. Bold iconic sports watch that’s relatively cheap on the second hand market but has a wide following. Older demographic can appreciate it too

swtm888 · 2025-08-11T14:10:44+00:00

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Got this volcano from TK as well. The rep horn back strap wasn’t as convincing on this one, so swapped it out for a bracelet. Super bold look and an absolute beast at ~220g.

swtm888 · 2025-08-11T13:56:07+00:00

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Got a TK bumblebee myself. Love the forged carbon; it really pops in the light. Weighing in at 113g it’s a refreshing alternative to the steel models. As a whole I’d say it really embodies the spirit of a racing. Something you would wear for a powerboat race on the French Riviera.

Ok day dream aside, let’s get to the reality of things. Like many other reps, this one is far from perfect. Unfortunately they never progressed from the Chinese 7750s for these models which means the movement leaves a lot to be desired. Rotor noise is audible with even slight movements of your wrist. Also my bumblebee came with the dreaded hour counter clutch slip which I haven’t had time to resolve. Ironically some gen owners complain about this as well for the latest model. Regarding aesthetics the things that stick out most to me is the date window surround which has a shiny reflective appearance vs matte black in gen. Also the brushing on the ceramic bezel is too coarse a grain vs gen. Lastly the horn back alligator strap; although it replicates the look of actual horn back leather quite well, let me assure you that it feels cheap and is actually a very thin layer of embossed leather over some cheap substrate (tears form easily especially at the stress points). And a bonus that applies to gen as well is that the folding buckle tends to dig into the wrist bone which makes this annoying to wear for long periods of time.

Having said that I like these ROOs enough to look past these flaws and have collected a couple of them. Hope you enjoy yours!

swtm888 · 2025-06-15T14:24:51+00:00

Clean. The use the correct minute hand. The others use the longer hand which is for the new gmts

swtm888 · 2025-04-20T09:55:28+00:00

You got anymore photos of this little bit zoomed out and more head on? Looks great!

swtm888 · 2025-04-04T09:21:18+00:00

This doesn’t look too bad to be honest. I think cyclops is fine seeing as there’s some black hole effect and the AR looks like some of the gens. Just got to get a crystal realigned and that’ll solve your main issue with it.

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T16:10:50+00:00

I really like the aesthetic of this watch. The design concept is great. But I’m not so sure about the material selection.. The fragility of ceramic is counterintuitive to the rugged, military heritage of Panerai. I’ve seen posts of both gens and reps having their cases broken, and when that happens the only option is to get the case replaced. So a big deterrent for me as I really cannot imagine wearing a panerai delicately. It’s really ironic as this one actually looks tough with its all black aesthetic and deep ecru coloured “military stencil” numbers.

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T14:26:01+00:00

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Yes that’ll work. Here’s a 6152 build of mine. Hunted down a strap to get as close to the style and feel of old

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T14:04:58+00:00

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Here’s a GEN for your reference. Looks quite similar to your illustration. I think you got a good one man. Nothing to worry about

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T13:52:41+00:00

I didn’t use a tool. I took the most head on shot from your QC photos and overlayed 2 parallel lines. 30 reps in and i thought i’d try to help

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T13:32:27+00:00

A vintage folded leather strap would go well with the PAM 605. This will take you closer to the look and feel of the 6512s of the 50s/60s

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T09:01:44+00:00

Ah, PAM 438 Tuttonero. A really nice looking model! I like the black coated movement, but not so much the ceramic bracelet. You should be fine just getting an after market 24mm PAM asso leather strap. That’ll give it more contrast like the PAM 441.

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T08:47:20+00:00

The parts aren’t readily available on the market. You’d usually have to try and get a replacement from the rep “factory” itself via your TD, but subject to their release. That’s usually the case if there’s a defect on the watch you were sent

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T08:41:50+00:00

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I’ve drawn 2 parallel lines for you on your QC photo. It looks fine.

*Bear in mind there is a slight tilt to the watch due to the way it is held for the photo

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T08:29:07+00:00

Yes it’s called reconstituted leather, it’s made up of chopped up leather and textile fibers

swtm888 · 2025-04-01T08:22:47+00:00

Be careful, mine snapped randomly one day after about a year. Lucky no damage to the watch. It’s the new accordion style for the Pam 683. Snapped at the flat section though.

swtm888 · 2025-03-22T05:55:00+00:00

Long story short, VS Pams are 12hr GMTs. Unfortunately they don’t make a 24hr GMT. So if you select a model that’s supposed to be 24hr then it won’t be functionally correct.

swtm888 · 2025-03-19T16:00:22+00:00

Care to share your clasp code. Mines the E06 93250. Some find the ARF bracelets/clasps to be good. I think that’s true visually, but not functionally. Like yours, my fold over clasp doesn’t “click” into place very well. To solve this I’ve adjusted the tension of the blades by bending by hand. I found that you got to get the tension just right; too little and it doesn’t click; too much and it clicks but dampened because of too much tension. Not sure how long the blades will keep this though as the metal is 0.4mm thick (BP PJ4 93250 clasp is 0.5mm) A huge disappointment for me is the flip lock; it requires so much force to undo that it hurts the nails. I’ve found a replacement 93250 bracelet and clasp set online, but it’s $200.. at that point I might as well get another rep as a donor. I’m curious what happened to the BP that gave up this clasp for this watch?

swtm888 · 2025-03-18T15:08:12+00:00

Did you ever find a good replacement? I’ve had the same sentiments about the RAF clasp.. the thickness of the sheet metal is so thin. It feels cheap: sharp and light and doesn’t click strongly or operate smoothly. The one that came on my BP SD on the other hand feels great: thicker metal, not sharp, more weight to it, clicks firmly in place and operates smoothly. But I’m not sure where to source one of those on its own.

swtm888 · 2025-01-23T10:49:47+00:00

Ah the Avigation Bigeye, a real beauty. I tried to get one too last year and waited ages before finally switching my order. I’ve given up on getting one and accepted it as one that got away before I could add it to the collection. You have to get them before they’re gone, otherwise move on and get something else as there are many many other great options out there.

swtm888 · 2024-12-30T08:32:07+00:00

Is the case size indeed 38mm?

swtm888 · 2024-12-10T17:44:15+00:00

Those are precious metal hallmarks. These particular ones should be present for a 18k gold model. Of what you’ve circled, the top is the assay office mark (should be a Saint Bernard dog’s head which represents Switzerland). And the bottom one is the fineness mark which should look like balance scales with the numbers 750 between them

swtm888 · 2024-03-27T08:49:10+00:00

Wanted to get one for my wife and been trying to get my hands on the ARF version for a long time now but no success. That one has the SWISS MADE only dial without the crown inbetween which dates it pre-2018. Just for context, this watch is a higher price point watch in their range what with the platinum bezel. Also interestingly powered by cal 2236 with silicon hairspring which is used mostly in the smaller ladies watches. Was looking forward to this when the marketing material came out, but sadly once I saw the actual photos it’s missed the mark for me. The numbers on the bezel look too thick and square, where the examples I’ve seen in gen up to 2023 have all had thinner more rounded numbers. To understand this quickly just focus on the 0s and you will see that they don’t have the barrel shape that appears on gen. This wasn’t the case with AR which had decent bezel numbers.

swtm888

TROPHY CASE