For quite some time now I have been fascinated by the DSN Soprod Power Reserve Models. If you aren't aware, these watches actually use the same genuine Swiss movements as the gen model: the 2892-2 with 9040 Soprod power reserve module. He makes three different models in several different series. Here's the full list
Black dial
027A: SS with 1997 T dial
027B: SS with 1998 L dial
Black Hobnail
028A: PVD with 1997 T dial
028B: PVD with 1998 L dial
028J: PVD with 2006 L dial
Tobacco Hobnail
057C: Ti with 1999 L dial
Last month I threw down the gauntlet and stated that if the PAM057C is considered a super rep then the 027A should be as well.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php?t=170383&highlight=soprod
My statement was all based on studying pictures that showed the same case shape flaws as the 057C with a more accurate dial. I decided to put my money where my mouth is and buy the watch to judge for myself.
Wrist Shots:
This watch is scary gorgeous no doubt
The Dial:
Besides the movement this is what attracted me most to the 027A. DSN misses the boat wildly at times, but every now and then he hits a home run. I really believe this dial is a victory. The font is damn good. The vintage aged tritium color is great. The sharp and clean printing on the recessed power reserve meter is just like gen. But what really nails it for me above all of the other DSN power reserve series, is the margin between the indicies and the rehaut. The A Series for both the 27A and the 28A is perfect and totally gen like.
GEN
REP
This is actually what drove me away from the 057C. The margins on that dial are very incorrect. Since I've been building modding and shaping my own Pre-V watches, this variance from the gen would have bothered me.
Notice on the gen the L Swiss Made L is very close, almost touching the rehaut,
But on the DSN the numbers and indicies have the same spacing as the A Series that leave about 1mm distance from the rehaut.
Power Reserve Module:
The only good Macro I could find was off of a 028A, but this is should still give an idea of the quality of the DSN dial.
One item to note: the stem of the gen arrow appears to be a bit thicker and slightly shorter than the DSN
GEN
REP
Hands:
Overall the shape and length of the hands is very accurate, with the small exception being made for the PR arrow. The lume is acorrect matching color, thickness and length appears to be perfect.
Crystal:
I have read over and over again about "cloudy DSN crystals" and never had a problem with them. His recent offerings on his manual wind cases are GREAT. When compared to my BigMatt C3 crystals, the differences are not very noticeable. This is why I was surprised when I got this watch. When bright light enters from a low angle, there does appear to be a slight haze almost like dust. From other angles the clarity is great. Her is a comparison with my 203/A with a BM C3 installed.
Cyclops:
VERY SLIGHT "frozen Halo" as Ale calls it, but honestly it is MUCH better than my Super Rep 299K.
GEN
REP
Case/Bezel:
It isn't 100% gen shape, but it is pretty close. There are definite differences in the lugs. The DSN has a bit of a hump on the top edge of the lug. The gen has a smooth slope. On the bezel: the slope and height look correct to me.
GEN
REP
minimal lug ripple too:
CG:
Plenty to say here. DSN has actually done quite a nice job improving his CGs. The lever tip shape is still off, but at least the back of the lever that tucks into the CG body is now contoured.
I show below a comparison with the Sead A-F Series CG, widely considered to be one of the most accurate CGs available. You be the judge:
Sead on the left, DSN on the right
There are actually parts of the DSN CG that are closer to Gen. On the Gen A Series CG The crown cut out is not square. It has a slight angle at the corners. The Sead appears slightly too square. Also the Sead is very flat on top when the gen is higher in the middle and slopes down toward the edges. DSN has more of this slope.
I still prefer the Sead and in case you were wondering, it fits the DSN case quite nicely. Not perfect, but damn close.
Sead mounted below:
Crown:
It was hard for me to find a good crown shot on the gen, but from the pictures I could find the DSN looks very accurate. It just needs a bit more polishing to be even more gen like
GEN
REP
Screws:
The first time I changed a strap I had to be careful to seat the screw correctly before tightening it. It felt a little rough, but only the FIRST time. I almost think that I broke the thread in by seating it correctly. I haven't had a problem since then through MANY strap changes. The CG screws however do seem to be tapped a little rough. I recommend care when working with the CG screws, but this goes for any rep.
Case Back:
The case back is a slight weakness. In this day ther is ZERO excuse for the inside of the CB to not say "SWISS MADE" That's just lazy that it doesn't have that detail. Additionally the some of the lettering of OFFICINE PANERAI is a bit crooked, But it's so minor you have to stare and study to see it. Finally the case number/serial number/watch number engraving is slightly too small and too compressed. I am being picky at this point however. There are super reps with similar issues.
GEN
REP
Movement:
Simply AWESOME! One of my main reasons for wanting a DSN power reserve. In the first 60 hours of wear, it only gained 2 seconds. This IS the gen movement. Given, it is missing the decorated rotor and movement ring with pearlage. Genuine Swiss goodness.
Lume:
Last but not least is lume. The DSN is flanked below by a Noob 299 and my Rolli 002A with AUTHENTIC SWISS RC Tritec lume. The DSN lume isn't the best, but this is intended to be a tritium lumed watch, which degrades and weakens over time. This doesn't bother me.
Noob - LEFT; DSN - CENTER; RC Tritec - RIGHT
after 2 minutes:
after 7 minutes:
These weren't my best lume shots. It is much brighter in person
Conclusion: For me the dial accuracy, gen movement, and overall beauty of the watch make this a super rep, especially if the 057C is considered a super rep on a similar basis.
But to Ale, the PCT and the rest of the Darkside... I leave it up to you.
Either way, it's a welcome addition to the Pamily
Black dial
027A: SS with 1997 T dial
027B: SS with 1998 L dial
Black Hobnail
028A: PVD with 1997 T dial
028B: PVD with 1998 L dial
028J: PVD with 2006 L dial
Tobacco Hobnail
057C: Ti with 1999 L dial
Last month I threw down the gauntlet and stated that if the PAM057C is considered a super rep then the 027A should be as well.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php?t=170383&highlight=soprod
My statement was all based on studying pictures that showed the same case shape flaws as the 057C with a more accurate dial. I decided to put my money where my mouth is and buy the watch to judge for myself.
Wrist Shots:
This watch is scary gorgeous no doubt
The Dial:
Besides the movement this is what attracted me most to the 027A. DSN misses the boat wildly at times, but every now and then he hits a home run. I really believe this dial is a victory. The font is damn good. The vintage aged tritium color is great. The sharp and clean printing on the recessed power reserve meter is just like gen. But what really nails it for me above all of the other DSN power reserve series, is the margin between the indicies and the rehaut. The A Series for both the 27A and the 28A is perfect and totally gen like.
GEN
REP
This is actually what drove me away from the 057C. The margins on that dial are very incorrect. Since I've been building modding and shaping my own Pre-V watches, this variance from the gen would have bothered me.
Notice on the gen the L Swiss Made L is very close, almost touching the rehaut,
But on the DSN the numbers and indicies have the same spacing as the A Series that leave about 1mm distance from the rehaut.
Power Reserve Module:
The only good Macro I could find was off of a 028A, but this is should still give an idea of the quality of the DSN dial.
One item to note: the stem of the gen arrow appears to be a bit thicker and slightly shorter than the DSN
GEN
REP
Hands:
Overall the shape and length of the hands is very accurate, with the small exception being made for the PR arrow. The lume is acorrect matching color, thickness and length appears to be perfect.
Crystal:
I have read over and over again about "cloudy DSN crystals" and never had a problem with them. His recent offerings on his manual wind cases are GREAT. When compared to my BigMatt C3 crystals, the differences are not very noticeable. This is why I was surprised when I got this watch. When bright light enters from a low angle, there does appear to be a slight haze almost like dust. From other angles the clarity is great. Her is a comparison with my 203/A with a BM C3 installed.
Cyclops:
VERY SLIGHT "frozen Halo" as Ale calls it, but honestly it is MUCH better than my Super Rep 299K.
GEN
REP
Case/Bezel:
It isn't 100% gen shape, but it is pretty close. There are definite differences in the lugs. The DSN has a bit of a hump on the top edge of the lug. The gen has a smooth slope. On the bezel: the slope and height look correct to me.
GEN
REP
minimal lug ripple too:
CG:
Plenty to say here. DSN has actually done quite a nice job improving his CGs. The lever tip shape is still off, but at least the back of the lever that tucks into the CG body is now contoured.
I show below a comparison with the Sead A-F Series CG, widely considered to be one of the most accurate CGs available. You be the judge:
Sead on the left, DSN on the right
There are actually parts of the DSN CG that are closer to Gen. On the Gen A Series CG The crown cut out is not square. It has a slight angle at the corners. The Sead appears slightly too square. Also the Sead is very flat on top when the gen is higher in the middle and slopes down toward the edges. DSN has more of this slope.
I still prefer the Sead and in case you were wondering, it fits the DSN case quite nicely. Not perfect, but damn close.
Sead mounted below:
Crown:
It was hard for me to find a good crown shot on the gen, but from the pictures I could find the DSN looks very accurate. It just needs a bit more polishing to be even more gen like
GEN
REP
Screws:
The first time I changed a strap I had to be careful to seat the screw correctly before tightening it. It felt a little rough, but only the FIRST time. I almost think that I broke the thread in by seating it correctly. I haven't had a problem since then through MANY strap changes. The CG screws however do seem to be tapped a little rough. I recommend care when working with the CG screws, but this goes for any rep.
Case Back:
The case back is a slight weakness. In this day ther is ZERO excuse for the inside of the CB to not say "SWISS MADE" That's just lazy that it doesn't have that detail. Additionally the some of the lettering of OFFICINE PANERAI is a bit crooked, But it's so minor you have to stare and study to see it. Finally the case number/serial number/watch number engraving is slightly too small and too compressed. I am being picky at this point however. There are super reps with similar issues.
GEN
REP
Movement:
Simply AWESOME! One of my main reasons for wanting a DSN power reserve. In the first 60 hours of wear, it only gained 2 seconds. This IS the gen movement. Given, it is missing the decorated rotor and movement ring with pearlage. Genuine Swiss goodness.
Lume:
Last but not least is lume. The DSN is flanked below by a Noob 299 and my Rolli 002A with AUTHENTIC SWISS RC Tritec lume. The DSN lume isn't the best, but this is intended to be a tritium lumed watch, which degrades and weakens over time. This doesn't bother me.
Noob - LEFT; DSN - CENTER; RC Tritec - RIGHT
after 2 minutes:
after 7 minutes:
These weren't my best lume shots. It is much brighter in person
Conclusion: For me the dial accuracy, gen movement, and overall beauty of the watch make this a super rep, especially if the 057C is considered a super rep on a similar basis.
But to Ale, the PCT and the rest of the Darkside... I leave it up to you.
Either way, it's a welcome addition to the Pamily
