Dear RWI Members. As we all know, this year was not a good year for us Paneristi. Since the raids, only a few new rep models came on the market and those that came were mostly of middling quality at best. So I was hopeful when I learned here via RWI that a new factory called TTF had released the 1312 and 1314 models. The 1314 was on my wish list anyway, so I ordered a copy from Tony (Asian7750) right away and let dear colleagues ALE7575 and KOT1917 talk me into writing a review. However, this review can only be a kind of presentation of the watch, since important conditions are missing - I have never had the Gen in my hands and unfortunately also no suitable comparison model such as the VSF 1314. In addition, I am of course not such an ace as the both named members , whose reviews are for me the ultimate. Nevertheless, I would like to present this beautiful watch to you, because it deserves it imo. The given scores are quite subjective. You are invited to discuss the issues and point on flaws, that my noob-eye hasnt seen.
Case, crown and crown guard
The TTF 1314 comes in the newer Luminor 1950 case. This case is comparatively slim and stands out from the design by the combination of the classic cushion shape and curves on the sides. While the Gen is stated to be 15.65mm thick, the TTF comes in at a smooth 16mm measured from the bottom to the topmost point of the crystal. Like the Gen, the bezel is polished, while the rest of the case is brushed. The brushing and finish are solid throughout, though the finish on the curvy edges doesn't quite match VSF's build quality. Here, I used a VSF 1056 for comparison.
The lugs are also neatly finished. However, the big weakness of the TTF is already noticeable here at first glance. While the Gen and the VSF versions of this type have the Panerai quick-change system, this is not present on the TTF. Instead, a classic change system with screws is installed. More about this later. On the case, this is noticeable in the larger holes on the crown side.
Both the crown guard and lever as well as the crown itself are very well made, at least for my not particularly trained eyes, and I don't see any major differences to the Gen or the VSF. Only the pin on the back of the crown guard protrudes a bit more than the VSF. But that is rather a minor thing.
The case back cover also makes a decent impression, although the quality of the engravings doesn't quite match VSF.
In general, the case is surprisingly well-made and hardly has to hide from the VSF.
9/10
Movement
The Gen features Panerai's P.9010 caliber, and the VSF version comes with an in-house clone of the P.9001, which VSF says is decorated to P.9010. Of course, the TTF does not have that. Instead, a decorated A7750 is used under the hood. I'm not an expert for movements, so I can't say much about the details of the workmanship. However, for me as a layman, the decoration looks neat and since the 1314 has a steel caseback anyway, this item is not high on my personal priority list.
8/10
Dial and hands
Other than movement, the dial is a key factor on this model. After all, the 1314's appeal stems mainly from the fact that it is the only white 44m Luminor with a sandwich dial. The dial of the Gen is also slightly textured. However, you can only see this structure when you look at it from the side. It is therefore very difficult to evaluate the quality of the Rep without ever having had the Gen in hand. There are some pictures of the Gen on the web, but they often look like they were generated by a computer or taken in high-end studios with perfect lighting.
In any case, the TTF's dial is beautiful. How close it comes to the Gen, I leave open. In reviews, the white of the Gen is described as "snow-white". That does not apply to the TTF. Its white goes in the direction of very light cream white. I personally find it even more beautiful than the Gen ;-)
The same applies to the structure. Here, the dial of the TTF looks a bit like a woodchip wallpaper. Of course, these are very fine details, but in direct comparison to the Gen, it must be said that the structure of the TTF dial is a bit rougher.
Another minus point of the TTF is that the sandwich dial has less profile than that of the Gen. Indexes and numerals are clean and - unlike the other newcomer HWF - also cut out in the right size, but it lacks the depth of the sandwich of the Gen. The lume layer is well below the Dial, but not as deep on the Gen.
The print is accentuated and textured on the TTF and has comparable light effects to the Gen. Unfortunately, on my copy, the second "a" in "automatic" is a bit too thick. This is not noticeable from a bird's eye view, but when looking from the side, you can clearly see the error. A pity. Whether this is the case with all models or only with mine, I can't say.
The hands are very good clearly better than those of the VSF 1314 ... just because they are silver and not white.
8/10
Lume
In the reviews on the Gen, you can read that the gray lume for the 1314 was made especially for this model. This of course presents a certain hurdle for a rep. But here the TTF does well. In the normal state, the gray looks a shade too dark. In active state, the lume looks nice "poison green" and is perhaps a shade too yellow and too little green compared to the Gen. But that is complaining on a high level. Otherwise, the lume of the TTF can convince and also has the light structure like the Gen.
10/10
Date
At first glance, the numbers look a bit narrow, but that's the same with the Gen as well. The white finish is also no different from the Gen. Whether the DW is lower than on the Gen is impossible to say without having the Gen in my hands. At least I can't see any difference in the photos.
10/10
Strap and strap replacement
The included leather strap is not really junk but also nothing for the demands of a Paneristo. But that's the case with every Rep. Or? The biggest weakness of the TTF is the missing quick change system. The button for it is present but without any function. Instead, a normal screw change system is available. This works perfectly, but the screw head alone is a point where you can immediately recognize the rep as such. This weak point clouds the otherwise good to very good verdict.
4/10
Conclusion
The TTF is a good rep, and if it weren't for the lack of a quick-change system, it would almost come close to the good old VSF quality for these models - at least if you don't mind the 7750 movement.
In the good old days, the TTF would be a rep that would probably go down among the factually certainly better reps from Noob, HFac or VSF. But the good old days are over and with the TTF, at least for me, the hope grows that next year we will finally get Panerai reps that are worthwhile again. Therefore, my conclusion is also very positive. One should not forget that the 1312 and the 1314 are the first pieces of this factory. But the TTF 1314 is really very good. A small drawback is, however, that TTF sets a price of 368 US$, which is 20 US$ higher than the old VSF price. This is of course due to the bad times and compared to other reps the price is still moderate. Nevertheless, 368 US$ for a good but not extraordinary Pam-Rep with 7750 movement seems excessive to me.
So, we can be curious what TTF has in store for us. In any case, the premiere was a success.
Final score: 8/10
Case, crown and crown guard
The TTF 1314 comes in the newer Luminor 1950 case. This case is comparatively slim and stands out from the design by the combination of the classic cushion shape and curves on the sides. While the Gen is stated to be 15.65mm thick, the TTF comes in at a smooth 16mm measured from the bottom to the topmost point of the crystal. Like the Gen, the bezel is polished, while the rest of the case is brushed. The brushing and finish are solid throughout, though the finish on the curvy edges doesn't quite match VSF's build quality. Here, I used a VSF 1056 for comparison.
The lugs are also neatly finished. However, the big weakness of the TTF is already noticeable here at first glance. While the Gen and the VSF versions of this type have the Panerai quick-change system, this is not present on the TTF. Instead, a classic change system with screws is installed. More about this later. On the case, this is noticeable in the larger holes on the crown side.
Both the crown guard and lever as well as the crown itself are very well made, at least for my not particularly trained eyes, and I don't see any major differences to the Gen or the VSF. Only the pin on the back of the crown guard protrudes a bit more than the VSF. But that is rather a minor thing.
The case back cover also makes a decent impression, although the quality of the engravings doesn't quite match VSF.
In general, the case is surprisingly well-made and hardly has to hide from the VSF.
9/10
Movement
The Gen features Panerai's P.9010 caliber, and the VSF version comes with an in-house clone of the P.9001, which VSF says is decorated to P.9010. Of course, the TTF does not have that. Instead, a decorated A7750 is used under the hood. I'm not an expert for movements, so I can't say much about the details of the workmanship. However, for me as a layman, the decoration looks neat and since the 1314 has a steel caseback anyway, this item is not high on my personal priority list.
8/10
Dial and hands
Other than movement, the dial is a key factor on this model. After all, the 1314's appeal stems mainly from the fact that it is the only white 44m Luminor with a sandwich dial. The dial of the Gen is also slightly textured. However, you can only see this structure when you look at it from the side. It is therefore very difficult to evaluate the quality of the Rep without ever having had the Gen in hand. There are some pictures of the Gen on the web, but they often look like they were generated by a computer or taken in high-end studios with perfect lighting.
In any case, the TTF's dial is beautiful. How close it comes to the Gen, I leave open. In reviews, the white of the Gen is described as "snow-white". That does not apply to the TTF. Its white goes in the direction of very light cream white. I personally find it even more beautiful than the Gen ;-)
The same applies to the structure. Here, the dial of the TTF looks a bit like a woodchip wallpaper. Of course, these are very fine details, but in direct comparison to the Gen, it must be said that the structure of the TTF dial is a bit rougher.
Another minus point of the TTF is that the sandwich dial has less profile than that of the Gen. Indexes and numerals are clean and - unlike the other newcomer HWF - also cut out in the right size, but it lacks the depth of the sandwich of the Gen. The lume layer is well below the Dial, but not as deep on the Gen.
The print is accentuated and textured on the TTF and has comparable light effects to the Gen. Unfortunately, on my copy, the second "a" in "automatic" is a bit too thick. This is not noticeable from a bird's eye view, but when looking from the side, you can clearly see the error. A pity. Whether this is the case with all models or only with mine, I can't say.
The hands are very good clearly better than those of the VSF 1314 ... just because they are silver and not white.
8/10
Lume
In the reviews on the Gen, you can read that the gray lume for the 1314 was made especially for this model. This of course presents a certain hurdle for a rep. But here the TTF does well. In the normal state, the gray looks a shade too dark. In active state, the lume looks nice "poison green" and is perhaps a shade too yellow and too little green compared to the Gen. But that is complaining on a high level. Otherwise, the lume of the TTF can convince and also has the light structure like the Gen.
10/10
Date
At first glance, the numbers look a bit narrow, but that's the same with the Gen as well. The white finish is also no different from the Gen. Whether the DW is lower than on the Gen is impossible to say without having the Gen in my hands. At least I can't see any difference in the photos.
10/10
Strap and strap replacement
The included leather strap is not really junk but also nothing for the demands of a Paneristo. But that's the case with every Rep. Or? The biggest weakness of the TTF is the missing quick change system. The button for it is present but without any function. Instead, a normal screw change system is available. This works perfectly, but the screw head alone is a point where you can immediately recognize the rep as such. This weak point clouds the otherwise good to very good verdict.
4/10
Conclusion
The TTF is a good rep, and if it weren't for the lack of a quick-change system, it would almost come close to the good old VSF quality for these models - at least if you don't mind the 7750 movement.
In the good old days, the TTF would be a rep that would probably go down among the factually certainly better reps from Noob, HFac or VSF. But the good old days are over and with the TTF, at least for me, the hope grows that next year we will finally get Panerai reps that are worthwhile again. Therefore, my conclusion is also very positive. One should not forget that the 1312 and the 1314 are the first pieces of this factory. But the TTF 1314 is really very good. A small drawback is, however, that TTF sets a price of 368 US$, which is 20 US$ higher than the old VSF price. This is of course due to the bad times and compared to other reps the price is still moderate. Nevertheless, 368 US$ for a good but not extraordinary Pam-Rep with 7750 movement seems excessive to me.
So, we can be curious what TTF has in store for us. In any case, the premiere was a success.
Final score: 8/10
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