Noob looking for advice after my 1st Rep Purchase (Pam104)

**Bohica** · 12-04-2007, 12:46 AM

Hello to all,

I recently ordered a PAM104 Luminor Marina Automatic 44mm from Trusty. I have yet to receive it, however I was wondering if anyone had exerience with this particular watch.

Are there any mods you would suggest?

The watch comes with the Rubber Sport strap, but I was considering a black croc strap.

I am looking for a little hand-holding hear, as I am very new and alot of the terms are pretty foriegn to me.

I am in the Denver area, if anyone knows of any regional shops that can perform the mods.

**Mason** · 12-04-2007, 12:49 AM

Welcome badfish! Lots of pam guys here...you'll get plenty of good advice shortly. Is there a meaning to your board-name?

**Bohica** · 12-04-2007, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Mason

Is there a meaning to your board-name?

Its just a login name that I chose years and years ago and have used ever since. Its taken from a Sublime song.

**rocket754** · 12-04-2007, 12:54 AM

Another Denver member??? Welcome.There used to be only 3 guys from here and it looks like you make 6 total. Might have to have a Denver GTG. The cyclops and date wheel aren't really up to par but it's a pretty nice watch regardless. I assume you bought an asian automatic version?

**J-C** · 12-04-2007, 01:07 AM

Good to see you here badfish, enjoy the forum buddy.

regarding your 104, nice buy and good choice of a dealer for your first purchase. You'll be pleased.

In terms of mod's, we're happy to help. Feel free to post any/all questions you have. In no time you'll be an expert and referencing cannon pins, c3 re-lumes and double v single AR.

Welcome to RepGeek...

**seraphe** · 12-04-2007, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by badfish650

Hello to all,

I recently ordered a PAM104 Luminor Marina Automatic 44mm from Trusty. I have yet to receive it, however I was wondering if anyone had exerience with this particular watch.

Hi badfish!

First of all, welcome to RepGeek

I see you already have a watch in mind. Before I can help you out with anything, may I know if there's any particular reason why an automatic 44mm?

The reason I asked is because manual wind Marinas (reps) are more popular than the automatics. Most of us PAM collectors, if you can see, are moving around the PAM reps with manual-wind ETA 6497 movements, which are the same swiss Unitas movements that the gen PAM movements are based from. As opposed to manual PAMs, (most, if not all) reps of contemporary automatics are fitted with Asian 7750 movements. So you may say that the manual PAM reps are more desired for reliability and durability.

But don't let this stop you with your choice. We love both manual and automatic PAMs.

Originally Posted by badfish650

Are there any mods you would suggest?

First thing that most PAM rep collectors would do to their reps is to get a good relume job. Manual wind PAMs would have the cannon pinion corrected. Those who are going more extreme will have the crown, crown guard (CG) and other details modded.

Originally Posted by badfish650

The watch comes with the Rubber Sport strap, but I was considering a black croc strap.

There are many 3rd party PAM styled leather straps retailers/makers on the internet. You may search 'Panerai straps' here or in Google. Alternatively, you can ask anyone of us.

Originally Posted by badfish650

I am looking for a little hand-holding hear, as I am very new and alot of the terms are pretty foriegn to me.

I am in the Denver area, if anyone knows of any regional shops that can perform the mods.

I doubt there will be any watchsmith who will openly agree to mod a rep watch. The best way is to approach our in-house mod experts.

Good luck

**J-C** · 12-04-2007, 01:14 AM

Damn Sera - thats one of the most helpful reply's I've read in sometime.

That was good brother...nicely done.

You're in good hands BF!

**Guest1** · 12-04-2007, 01:15 AM

104 is a sweet watch. Lume, CG lever fix, ETA datewheel and maybe the cannon pin would be things that it might need. Myabe it needs a thicker crown based on the one that you purchased.

Edit....dam Seraphe embarassed me. I will go into my corner now.

**seraphe** · 12-04-2007, 01:20 AM

Hahaha I'm just helping out how others have helped me when I was a rep noob.

**rocket754** · 12-04-2007, 01:25 AM

You won't need a cannon pin fix for your watch. You already have that going for you.
here is the gen to compare yours to

Here is the rep

**Quick Brick** · 12-04-2007, 01:46 AM

I was actually going to suggest that this may be an interesting PAM to mod JUST BECAUSE it is out of the norm. Do the big noticeable things like the AR and the relume and I think you would have a pretty special unique watch.

... oh, and some of us do like autos too

.

**bcg513** · 12-04-2007, 02:04 AM

I am interest in modding one myself always liked the date cyclops. I am concerned about doing AR and the cyclop. Mods I am considering is AR, Lume, CG, Crown, Date Wheel and of course new straps but will just use one of the many I have aquired for my 111H. Has anyone done one?

**frogman** · 12-04-2007, 03:43 AM

The 104 is one of my favorite auto pams....I've even thought of getting a gen....The 104 was one of my first PAM reps and I loved it. It goes with so many straps and looks great on the wrist. I would say lume is a must! Also, the cyclops always bothered me....this is why I eventually sold it. I can't tell from Andrew's pictures, but I think this is the same watch. I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm wrong. With these two mods you'll have an awesome timepiece! I always love to post these picture....so here we go

: