Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
Lizard 1

Want to fix my hands on PAM MiniFiddy...

Recommended Posts

Lizard 1

I am needing the top hand on my MiniFiddy put back on. I have asked and asked and nobody is willing to get back to me in getting it fixed. SOOOOOOO... Anyone have an idea of a step by step on doing that?

 

The watch in question is seen here: https://www.replica-watch.info/threads/vintage-panerai-44mm-luminor.331940/

 

Has a genuine swiss movement. However, I have heard that these need the top crystal removed to do this. Anyone know what tools I need and maybe a reference that has pictures to do this? I searched, but didn't find anything...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BadPickle

Crown guard off, Case back off, stem out, movement tabs unscrewed, flip movement out, press hand back on, movement back in..... reverse of before... easy peasy.

 

Tools needed- sticky ball, 2 small screwdrivers, pencil with eraser attached

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
elp

You don't need to remove the crystal to do it, and it is relatively easy to put the minute hand back on (PBR above gave you the steps) but if you don't have a minimum of experience I suggest you don't do it - risk of scratching the dial, buggering the keyless, etc.

 

Can't you take it to a local watchsmith?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
NCRich

Crown guard off, Case back off, stem out, movement tabs unscrewed, flip movement out, press hand back on, movement back in..... reverse of before... easy peasy.

 

Tools needed- sticky ball, 2 small screwdrivers, pencil with eraser attached

 

Yeah that works, but last one I did I just stuck a single edge razor blade under the bezel to lift it a bit then a case knife to pop the bezel and crystal off as a single unit. Then put the hands back on and press the crystal/bezel back. Pickle knows these cases better than me but that is what I did.

 

Literally took me less than 5 minutes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lizard 1

I am attacking this on my own. Already starting the process and will see what I find out. Thank you so much for the examples and step by steps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BadPickle
:D good luck pal, keep us posted on your developments. If you need any help you know where we are. :thumbsup2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
10:10 Watch Repair

front loader?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lizard 1

SOOOOO... I dove in. Got a sticky ball and pulled off the back cover. To my surprise, there was gray putty holding the gen swiss movement in place. Awesome... I instantly knew this was yet another custom I spent too much money on only to find out it was probably half assed put together...

 

Anyways, a good dude on RWI was helping me along. I got the movement out and the loose top hand set aside. I checked the hour hand and it also was WAY too loose.

 

The list of issues:

 

-No clamps holding the movement in. Screws are there but no clamps.

-Hands were super loose. Obviously the top one fell off!

-No dial or hand washer.

-Hands were bent slightly upward to clear dial as a result of no washer I assume.

-DIRTY!! I cleaned up so much yucky black stuff probably from sweat or whatever. Not inside the case, but under the CG, the edge of the back cover.

 

I noticed that in the pics of the sale ad, there was grease residue showing in the pics. When I removed the back cover, it was bone dry. Looks to me that this was taken apart and not put back together properly.

 

My plan:

 

-Find new hands. Not sure if I will age them or not. I love the clean look. If I do the clean look, will need the next few steps

-Find a new dial. 37mm clean dial to use. Again, if I go the new and clean look. If I do vintage, I will keep it.

-Dial washer.

-Movement clamps to secure in case

-Use my new plexi only if I go the clean route. Will keep the mildly scratched plexi if keeping the vintage theme.

 

 

I do have some questions. Where can I source a dial that shows Panerai on it similar to what I have now but obviously clean. Second, best place for hands? I know Ebay is a source, but not sure on the quality...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
TRANSPORTER

If im not mistaken you're touting for work there pickle me old China haha (no offence before this gets taken the wrong way)

:D good luck pal, keep us posted on your developments. If you need any help you know where we are. :thumbsup2:

 

Sorry couldn't resist

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BadPickle

Any pics?

 

Sounds like another modder/scammer to me. If you need quality parts there are a number of sources depending on how much you want to spend really. Check these out for starters

 

 

http://vintagewatchparts.co.uk

 

 

http://www.helenarou.com/6497--649864976499.html

 

 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Manbushijie-Watch

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BigsCG

Post some pics. Measure the size and thickness of the dial. If I have these parts, i'll hook you up as long as you pay the post. I'm positive I have some hands for you. depending on the size of the dial, i might be able to help you there also

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
tonyh7

This sounds like an absolute can of worms. This one could end up like Trigger's broom.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BigsCG

nah, pams are easy as it gets. river would be my vendor of choice in your situation for any hands and dials you may be looking for as his costs are very reasonable

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
tonyh7

Pams are nice and big, and unitas 6497/8 a relatively easy movement to pull to bits. What I mean is that assuming the movement is ok - which it may not be, god knows where it came from, hands not fitting securely isn't a great sign - after you've replaced the dial, hands, and plexi, and found a way to fix it in the case you're quite a bit if the way to an entirely different watch. Not a great buy at $550 was it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BigsCG

he reduced down to $400 and then looks like he traded maybe? but agree, horrible deal at $600 and $550, not so terrible trade at $400 w/ mvmnt and straps as it looks like it ended up. the movement looks interesting too with the mix of hammered and brushed finish. Weird about the gray material holding the movement in. didn't look like it needed it.

 

OP - offer still stands on the tabs, hand set. I have a couple 37mm dials but they maybe too thick for a mini fiddy.

 

happy to help if you find it helpful

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Dendo

Sounds like the OP is determined to have fun. Smart to start on a PAM - not smart to have paid that much for a project - but plenty spare parts available.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
NCRich

I keep coming back to this:

 

Just got this in a M2M deal, and its just not getting any wrist time.

 

Yes indeed, not any wrist time at all as the hands fall off. :lol:

 

I'm actually shocked at what people will pay for crap. I wouldn't even THINK of selling something like this.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lizard 1

You guys are awesome!!! BigsCG, I may take you up on it. I have ordered the clamps and washer. I also added some blue hands. Going to try and do something different I think...

 

Here are some pics. Note: I removed the putty since RWI discussion and a great member over there warned me to remove it. So, it is out and ready to be secured properly. But the pics will show the putty prior to me removing again. But, when I got the watch, the putty was loose and all over. Real shit work.

 

After using the sticky ball and watching a few vids as recommended. LOOSENED the crown screw - did NOT remove... I stated remove in my RWI thread...

54570026-4485-454f-9ca2-aef2b41a6a68_zpsqaqn5mpr.jpg

 

After fitting the hands. If you take this pic and enlarge and compare to the sales thread, you can see what looks like the screws on the edge of the case. This is not the case at all. In fact, I tried it without the putty and as you can imagine, not good.

68b3cf5d-a59f-4162-bb13-81c9017c39a6_zpsggcguyxl.jpg

 

I did my best to align the hands. The dial was secured in place and I didn't have to adjust it at all. The hands are bent upward though. They do fit snug. I too a pair of tiny needle nose and squeezed the bottom sides of the hands so they would fit snug. Worked. For now... But the hands if flat will rub the dial and the top hands rub the hour hand below.

0110e985-4b14-434e-8acb-57f0814961d5_zpslvf81yvc.jpg

 

Completed with the strap back on. I like the looks of this watch. I really want to do aged hands to match the dial or replace the dial with a new, crisp and clean one and add new hands. Again, ordered some blue ones from the same place I got the clamps and washer.

e3b60b62-7855-4eaa-bd99-ddcd7c3424e5_zpscjbcsxt1.jpg

 

Oh, first pic is after installing the hands and aligning them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
NCRich

:thumbsup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lizard 1

And I agree. I got burnt on two other custom builds. One was FOREVER to get done when I sent in two 390s and had them built as one using the best of the two to make one. Then I got a custom titanium 390 made and that is the one I traded PLUS CASH for this one.

 

I traded this custom 390:

 

IMG_5034_zps7gsxjliv.jpg

IMG_5028_zpsjqubahia.jpg

IMG_5027_zpse5la92iv.jpg

IMG_5025_zpshnunfi06.jpg

 

-PAM 390 Titanium case set

-Titanium Crown and CG

-Eddie Lee Purple AR Saphire Crystal (SUPER RARE)

-A6497 with Swiss H3 Cannon Set

-Eddie Lee hands finished in tabacco and lumed to match the 390 dial

-Custom Jason Stathan back case. Not numbered - just his name!

-Gunny strap

-Greased seals, etc.

 

I indicated that it was running slow and that Chef suggested I take the case back off and advance the time. I didn't at the time want to do that in fear I would damage the watch and made it known. Buyer whom I traded took this watch and $200 for the MiniFiddy. I was later informed by him that he figured out the issue in that Chef pressed the crystal on too tight and was rubbing the hands and slowing it down. I don't know. But he said it was perfect after taking care of that. Awesome.

 

I then got a PM from a member that is trying to help me that the movement is Swiss, but it's a mish-mash of Swiss parts. Notice how the balance cock doesn't match the train and barrel bridges? So, I got a shit movement to boot. So, traded a watch that maybe wasn't that great but meant a lot to me and was what I wanted and always bummed when I wore it because of the timing issue. Traded that for this and get hosed.

 

At least I have a couple of OK straps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Dendo

This is brilliant - for most of this thread I thought the OP was serious.

 

 

'At least I have a couple of OK straps.' Was the give away.

 

Well done on fixing the hands etc - think you have potential!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BigsCG

I think you'll learn a ton about Pams getting this one back together. My guess is the cannon set is not tall enough for the dial and bending the hands upward which may unseat the minute hand again. just keep an eye on it but ultimately i think you'll need a thinner dial or different 6497. I'm still unsure why the puddy (prob rodico) was used or how it could hold anything together. Sorry to hear about the 290. looked sharp.

still a great looking watch you have there and now you have an opportunity to make it your build :-). shoot me a PM if you think you need something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
tonyh7

'i think you'll need a thinner dial or different 6497' - like I said, the hands falling off is a bit of a red flag!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BadPickle

And I agree. I got burnt on two other custom builds. One was FOREVER to get done when I sent in two 390s and had them built as one using the best of the two to make one. Then I got a custom titanium 390 made and that is the one I traded PLUS CASH for this one.

 

I traded this custom 390:

 

IMG_5034_zps7gsxjliv.jpg

IMG_5028_zpsjqubahia.jpg

IMG_5027_zpse5la92iv.jpg

IMG_5025_zpshnunfi06.jpg

 

-PAM 390 Titanium case set

-Titanium Crown and CG

-Eddie Lee Purple AR Saphire Crystal (SUPER RARE)

-A6497 with Swiss H3 Cannon Set

-Eddie Lee hands finished in tabacco and lumed to match the 390 dial

-Custom Jason Stathan back case. Not numbered - just his name!

-Gunny strap

-Greased seals, etc.

 

I indicated that it was running slow and that Chef suggested I take the case back off and advance the time. I didn't at the time want to do that in fear I would damage the watch and made it known. Buyer whom I traded took this watch and $200 for the MiniFiddy. I was later informed by him that he figured out the issue in that Chef pressed the crystal on too tight and was rubbing the hands and slowing it down. I don't know. But he said it was perfect after taking care of that. Awesome.

 

I then got a PM from a member that is trying to help me that the movement is Swiss, but it's a mish-mash of Swiss parts. Notice how the balance cock doesn't match the train and barrel bridges? So, I got a shit movement to boot. So, traded a watch that maybe wasn't that great but meant a lot to me and was what I wanted and always bummed when I wore it because of the timing issue. Traded that for this and get hosed.

 

At least I have a couple of OK straps.

 

 

 

who built it? i see that the previous owner says he got it in m2m deal also.

 

plus the movement tabs may not fit, these 6498's are designed for pocket watches without moment tabs, theres not enough room to get the tab in without filing part of the bridge away.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lizard 1

This is brilliant - for most of this thread I thought the OP was serious.

 

 

'At least I have a couple of OK straps.' Was the give away.

 

Well done on fixing the hands etc - think you have potential!

 

Thank you. I just hate to break anything and then it end up being a paper weight. That's an expensive desk weight!

 

I'll keep at it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×