42mm Panda with Ceramic Bezel Mod. Anyone ever did that?

[AndrRibeiroChaves]

I love the look of the 44mm Panda with the Ceramic bezel, and have seen pics os a Rubeclad Rose Gold moded with the Ceramic bezel. I am just curious if anyone has ever done that to the 42mm Panda.

Cheers

André

[kilyung]

Really? I haven't seen any of these mods here?

[AndrRibeiroChaves]

It's quite stunning in fact.

that is way I am curious if anyone has done the same to the Panda.

[AndrRibeiroChaves]

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/...srpdefcd0.jpeg

[lapince]

it looks awesome, the question is where and how did this guy get a ceramic bezel as AP is strictly against putting different bezels especially ceramic ones on 42mm watches, if this was possible to do I would quickly forget the idea of wanting a PP 5167R and do the same as this one as I find it awesome, love the RG, grey panda dial and ceramic bezel, but good luck doing that, if someone knows the solution please PM me, I would really like to know but think it's almost impossible, maybe the guy works at AP or is long time friend with a director in an AP boutique, other than that don't see how it's possible… Or he lives in Russia or Ukraine, with a few thousand USD in the AP boutique director's pocket everything is possible, honestly I love it, but think you're waisting your time, it's 100000% against AP rules and policy to make "tuning" on their watches, like all other major brands in fact…

Especially it's not just the bezel as this grey panda dial is as far as I know NOT available in RG, in fact it's 3 different parts from 3 different watches made into one, the case of the 42 RG, panda grey dial and ceramic bezel of the FC or CE diver, yeah very cool but good luck doing the same thing, except if you purchase the 3 watches and go to an independent watchmaker, not a simple task and very expensive, I guess I'll stick with getting the 5167R...

[wach16]

Originally Posted by lapince

it looks awesome, the question is where and how did this guy get a ceramic bezel as AP is strictly against putting different bezels especially ceramic ones on 42mm watches, if this was possible to do I would quickly forget the idea of wanting a PP 5167R and do the same as this one as I find it awesome, love the RG, grey panda dial and ceramic bezel, but good luck doing that, if someone knows the solution please PM me, I would really like to know but think it's almost impossible, maybe the guy works at AP or is long time friend with a director in an AP boutique, other than that don't see how it's possible… Or he lives in Russia or Ukraine, with a few thousand USD in the AP boutique director's pocket everything is possible, honestly I love it, but think you're waisting your time, it's 100000% against AP rules and policy to make "tuning" on their watches, like all other major brands in fact…

Especially it's not just the bezel as this grey panda dial is as far as I know NOT available in RG, in fact it's 3 different parts from 3 different watches made into one, the case of the 42 RG, panda grey dial and ceramic bezel of the FC or CE diver, yeah very cool but good luck doing the same thing, except if you purchase the 3 watches and go to an independent watchmaker, not a simple task and very expensive, I guess I'll stick with getting the 5167R...

I agree...42mm with a ceramic bezel would instantly shoot to the top of my want list! I was under the impression that AP was ok with some changes (date wheel, dial, bracelet/strap) which is definitely more open than other brands, especially Rolex.

[beer]

Originally Posted by lapince

it looks awesome, the question is where and how did this guy get a ceramic bezel as AP is strictly against putting different bezels especially ceramic ones on 42mm watches, if this was possible to do I would quickly forget the idea of wanting a PP 5167R and do the same as this one as I find it awesome, love the RG, grey panda dial and ceramic bezel, but good luck doing that, if someone knows the solution please PM me, I would really like to know but think it's almost impossible, maybe the guy works at AP or is long time friend with a director in an AP boutique, other than that don't see how it's possible… Or he lives in Russia or Ukraine, with a few thousand USD in the AP boutique director's pocket everything is possible, honestly I love it, but think you're waisting your time, it's 100000% against AP rules and policy to make "tuning" on their watches, like all other major brands in fact…

Especially it's not just the bezel as this grey panda dial is as far as I know NOT available in RG, in fact it's 3 different parts from 3 different watches made into one, the case of the 42 RG, panda grey dial and ceramic bezel of the FC or CE diver, yeah very cool but good luck doing the same thing, except if you purchase the 3 watches and go to an independent watchmaker, not a simple task and very expensive, I guess I'll stick with getting the 5167R...

i have seen AP more willing to customise the Alinghi model even through an official service - changing the colour of the date wheel and replacing the carbon bezel with a ceramic bezel, not sure of the exact thread but it was in this forum a few months ago

i don't understand why they are happy to do it with certain watches not others but i agree if they were willing to put a 42mm ceramic bezel on my ROO i would be first in line

[Watch-Ed]

Originally Posted by lapince

Especially it's not just the bezel as this grey panda dial is as far as I know NOT available in RG, in fact it's 3 different parts from 3 different watches made into one, the case of the 42 RG, panda grey dial and ceramic bezel of the FC or CE diver, yeah very cool but good luck doing the same thing, except if you purchase the 3 watches and go to an independent watchmaker, not a simple task and very expensive, I guess I'll stick with getting the 5167R...

The grey dial here is the stock one on the older style Rubber clad. Only the bezel and strap have been changed.

I think that on certain models with fragile bezels some AP boutiques may agree to swap it out for you for a ceramic one if it gets damaged/has too much wear.

I believe this to be true for FC bezels like on the GPs or Alinghi since the FC gets chipped off with time, but I had not seen it done on the Rubberclad before.

I know someone that had problems with the rubber coating coming off on his Rubberclad, may be this was the case for this watch and they agreed to swap it.

[RHIII]

I've never seen that mod myself -- and agree with above.

Honestly - I'm pretty much an OEM guy...and not big into mods on watches.


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[lapince]

Originally Posted by RHIII

I've never seen that mod myself -- and agree with above.

Honestly - I'm pretty much an OEM guy...and not big into mods on watches.


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Did you see the pics? It's just awesome IMO, if the RG 44 was in 42 I would not even think of the PP 5167R, but the size worries me, sure with 6.9 and flat wrists I can pull it off, but I want a keeper, would really like to keep the ones I get, the diver and 5712 will stay sure, the Aqua I hope, the AP looks better but I al afraid I will not keep it, either because of weight, size, something tells me it won't stay and I want only keepers from now on, been liking the 5167R for 3 years now, think it should do it, and maybe in 10 years add a RM 035 or Lange dato perpetual, basically both are like my grails now, but afraid the dato will be too heavy, so the 035 is the more probable grail if I ever get it

[RHIII]

Originally Posted by lapince

Did you see the pics? It's just awesome IMO, if the RG 44 was in 42 I would not even think of the PP 5167R, but the size worries me, sure with 6.9 and flat wrists I can pull it off, but I want a keeper, would really like to keep the ones I get, the diver and 5712 will stay sure, the Aqua I hope, the AP looks better but I al afraid I will not keep it, either because of weight, size, something tells me it won't stay and I want only keepers from now on, been liking the 5167R for 3 years now, think it should do it, and maybe in 10 years add a RM 035 or Lange dato perpetual, basically both are like my grails now, but afraid the dato will be too heavy, so the 035 is the more probable grail if I ever get it

Oh yeah -- I completely agree and I think it looks AWESOME!!

I'm just not a big fan of mods to current models --especially since it can sometimes cause issues when time for servicing...

...but if it was released by AP...it would definitely be on my short list!!


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[Abdullasaif]

Never seen that mod but, it looks amazing. Honestly i have no clue how to get a ceramic bezel for a non ceramic AP

[masterserg]

Looks good but it needs a ceramic crown and pushers ...

I am personally not a fan of any mod, other than maybe a strap.

[masterserg]

^^^ I think this was the GP, not the Alinghi. Of course I might be wrong.

[beer]

yes could well have been!

[csi-n]

How do you know whether that bezel is ceramic or not? What if it's the OEM steel that has been PVDed or DLCed or some other surface treatment?


Sam

[AK797]

I've seen the rubber taken off the RGRC to reveal a nice gold bezel but not a ceramic, not sure if that is real, maybe from a Buemi or Doha, or fake, or PVDed as said.

[conkers]

As has been said AP will change the bezel for ceramic on a GP but not on 42s. And believe me I have begged!