How would you like the PanAm to look?

[Cowbiker]

How about "Air America" for the name?

After the CIA-owned civilian airline...

Air America (airline) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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[TimeOnTarget]

There are many great ideas and suggestions offered here. I would like to see a watch that captures the feel of the original watch. Black vs white dial option would be nice, but I agree that we need to keep this project simple to avoid time and cost issues.

I have read several books about Juan Trippe and Pan Am. The Clipper name is significant because all Pan Am airplanes were called Clippers and the company was heavily influenced by their flying boat naval tradition. Pan Am was the first airline to fly the 747 but the 707 would be valid also. Rather than argue about a name, I would prefer to keep the dial simple with "MKII" only if it comes to that.

Please don't make the crown too small. Some of us would be manipulating it quite often.

[timbo]

IIRC, the original is a 6mm crown. Which is only small compared to the Kingston - it's a 'normal' sized crown

[MDS]

"Let's keep this simple and it will get done sooner. Kingston case and crystal, with a smaller, MKII signed crown. Pepsi bezel. Choice of black dial for the pilots, and white/ivory dial for the management types. Silver hands and a red GMT arrow hand. No faux aged lume. The Pan Am name and logo are still protected, so those items can't be used without paying a hefty (and needless) price. Pan American, Clipper or MKII GMT all work for me."


This makes sense to me. Personally, I could go with a acryllic crystal, but would prefer a double dome sapphire as I see this as a MKII trademark element. iBill has been making them for years and everyone I have is fantastic.

I also have no real preference regarding bezel insert material as long as it is red and blue. 48 clicks works for me.

I also do not want a cyclops; and no aged lume

I am in in the camp of a tasteful homage/watch inspired design without having to have every detail replicated exactly...case shape/style, but with some modern updates (double domed sapphire like the Kingston, which is really awesome) suits me fine.

[aviate]

There are a bunch of great ideas here...for me:

• Lug width of 20mm with a bracelet that tapers...the most comfortable bracelet I have is the 1171 on my Speedy Pro and it goes from 20 to 16mm.
• would be fine with using the Kingston case (love the drilled thru lugs, size/weight and that it could simplify the project)
• Black dial without surrounds, no aged lume...gilt wouldn't be a deal breaker after looking at 'theDude's' photo
• Roulette date wheel with a vintage font (I do like the Kingston's, don't like the one on the later Marathon SAR), silver metal wheel would be great (as per theDude)
• 'normal' mercedes hands in silver/chrome/nickel (again like the Kingston's)
• if pepsi bezel nice dark colours as another suggested earlier, material is less important but I am wary of sapphire (expense and modernity)
• would love an acrylic crystal with cyclops but would do sapphire with cyclops...no cyclops wouldn't be a deal breaker
• at this time would only end up with a white dial if it came as extra...and then would probably kick myself after if only white was available

These thoughts are from a watch enthusiast looking for long term ownership with a watch of moderate size and weight. In my opinion the other offerings on the market don't fill my list.

Thank you for asking.

[TheDude]

Guys, I think we should give up on the acrylic crystal idea.

These must be replaced at every service, and this would put an incredible burden for keeping lots of spare parts around that Bill doesn't have right now. Also, unless they're done right, they will be very hit or miss on watertightness. Not good.

To put it in perspective, a Rolex plexi is about $100 - to be replaced every 5 years on a vintage watch if you want to ensure it's waterproof. Only the most original ancient grails are kept with old battered crystals, and these are kept far far away from water.

[cpotters]

Guys, I think we should give up on the acrylic crystal idea.

These must be replaced at every service, and this would put an incredible burden for keeping lots of spare parts around that Bill doesn't have right now. Also, unless they're done right, they will be very hit or miss on watertightness. Not good.

To put it in perspective, a Rolex plexi is about $100 - to be replaced every 5 years on a vintage watch if you want to ensure it's waterproof. Only the most original ancient grails are kept with old battered crystals, and these are kept far far away from water.

Dude: as usual, you are right on target. I forget that with all of the vintage divers I have its only the MkIIs that go in the water. Bill's mission has ALWAYS been to be respectful of the classic designs, while updating what would have been updated if those features/materials had been available at that time to the original manufacturers. The Kingston's crystal is the right kind, but it is entirely up to Bill about the cyclops then: there is no way he will want to affix hundreds of little cyclopses to the saphire crystals.

Bill, if you're reading this: I am flexible, and I trust your judgement completely. Make the watch YOU want, and I'll probably want it, too.

[tako_watch]

"Let's keep this simple and it will get done sooner. Kingston case and crystal, with a smaller, MKII signed crown. Pepsi bezel. Choice of black dial for the pilots, and white/ivory dial for the management types. Silver hands and a red GMT arrow hand. ... would prefer a double dome sapphire as I see this as a MKII trademark element. iBill has been making them for years and everyone I have is fantastic.


I am in in the camp of a tasteful homage/watch inspired design without having to have every detail replicated exactly...case shape/style, but with some modern updates (double domed sapphire like the Kingston, which is really awesome) suits me fine.

this...

[MHe225]

Dude, you're right ( always wanted to write that) but I think the concern about WR is a bit of a moot point (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong): wouldn't we need a screwed crown for serious water resistance? Don't think anyone has mentioned that as a must-have. I like hesalites, although they are not must-haves for me and agree on how sensitive they are .... the "crystal" on my Speedmaster Pro looked horrible after just 10 years of very modest and careful usage.

Like several already mentioned, I think we've given Bill more than an ear-full of what we want and I'm fine with radio-silence after this thread closes and accepting whatever Bill comes up with. I'm sure that we will not be disappointed.

RonB

[austinnh]

I would be perfectly happy with sapphire.