Reply With QuoteI read a recent review about a well known outfit in north London who specialises in laser welding dent repairs. The before and after photos were pretty impressive. I'll try and dig the thread out......
After some suggestions...
My PAM299 must have taken a bit of a knock and the case is a little dented which means the strap release mechanism doesn't work. It is also due a service and the barrel apparently needs replacement.
Anyway, gave it to WoS who sent it away and came back with an estimate of £3,440 for the repairs, which on a £4,5k watch seems a little heavy... £2,5k of that bill is for a completely new case, £550 for the barrel and £440 for the service.
So, what options do I have? It's not a complicated movement (I think it's a fairly standard ETA) so the replacement and service must be possible elsewhere... the case maybe a trickier problem but I really don't have any desire to pay WoS / Richemond that sort of money.
Any ideas?
I read a recent review about a well known outfit in north London who specialises in laser welding dent repairs. The before and after photos were pretty impressive. I'll try and dig the thread out......
Lazer welding would be the way to go with the cosmetic repair, but not sure what you would do about the strap change system.
Must have been quite a knock to affect that?
I have repaired a few of these. Photos please ?Originally Posted by Meesterbond
www.webwatchmaker.com
You might try Brendan Hoey. Webwatchmaker. Oops, didn't see Brendan was in action. Could be your best bet.
Sell it and buy another
Unfortunately the watch is still with WoS but once I get it back off them I'll take some photos and get in touch...
Very pleased to see there are some alternatives to the main dealer!
Thank you for all the responses..
I don't recall actually dropping it (although with two children I may not have necessarily been to blame). Selling definitely not an option as it was a engagement present and I'd rather like to stay married.
Watchfinder have one for 4250. Buy that and say nothing to the bride. She will never notice 😀😀😀
Sent from my SM-G920F using TZ-UK mobile app
Hence 'buy another'
The original will be like Trigger's Broom and at a higher cost by the time you're done anyway.
I too have had a problem with the strap release "pin button" on my PAM90.
I just couldn't get the pin back in without extreme pressure and now don't risk strap change at all.
I also have noticed a slight dent on the lug of the same side, which I think I sustained banging the watch on the underside of the desk.
This I assume is why I have a problem like yourself re seating the pin.
At the time I did some on line research and came up with quite a lot of complaints about this mechanism and the fact that Panerai's solution is an extremely expensive new case.
I will be interested to see how this one "PAM's" out and what remedy you find.
Could you not just use thicker spring bars in the original lug holes?
Sent from my SM-G920F using TZ-UK mobile app
That's exactly it. There is a definite dent near the release mechanism which I assume is preventing the pin coming out. No amount of pressure (within reason) could shift it.
I've asked WoS to get the watch back (apparently it'll be returned with a new strap which I'm very interested to see how they manage to fit) so I'll take some photos and see what's achievable. Worst case I'll be stuck with the same strap but at least the watch will work again.
A couple of years ago I was planning to purchase a Panerai with a Unitas on SC that had some case issues. I checked with Rocco to see if he could complete a service, weld and re-lap the watch and he was happy to; unfortunately the watch had sold by the time I had the answer I needed but I'm sure he can do it. I suspect the only issue will be getting a space in his diary.
Posting Permissions