PAM312 KW V3 Review. Comparison with GEN [PICS HEAVY]

[dabestone]

Received my PAM312 KW V3 from Ken today. As per ALE5757's guide, The KW V3 with KP9000 V2 decorated movement is the most accurate/recommended choice for the rep PAM312 at this moment. Browsed through the site and didn't seen much review or actual pics of this version. So I've decided to do a review with some comparison with the Gen that I have. This is my first try writing a review here, just trying to contribute back to this community which I've learnt so much from. Enjoy reading!



REP on LEFT with black strap, GEN on RIGHT with brown strap

- AR seems good as per GEN.

- On the GEN, you can adjust date by moving the hour hand only ; The REP doesn't have this feature.



DIAL/HANDS AND MARKERS

- On the GEN, the color of the LUMINOR MARINA and PANERAI wordings on the dial are identical to the color of the numbers and markers (dull yellowish). On the REP though, the wordings has a darker brown color. This is an OBVIOUS TELL.

- The color of the greyish black dial seems pretty spot on, not much comment about that. Fonts shape look fine too.

- Color of markers and numbers are more greenish on the rep if compared to the more dull, yellowish color of the Gen.

- Hands size/shape look pretty spot on and cannon pin is well flushed as well.



CASING
- Not much comment on the casing. Looks OK to me.



CROWN GUARD

- Crown Guard size and shape looks fine to me

- For the engravings of REG. and T.M. , GEN has slightly deeper engravings but difference is very minimal. I also noticed the letter "E" on the wordings of REG. looks funny on the GEN, the upper and lower "hands" of the letter tend to spread higher and lower respectively. On the rep, the letter "E" looks more normal. LOL.

- On the REP, the lever tip seems longer and thinner if compared to the GEN, but it's very minimal. Perfectly flushed when closed.

- On the REP, opening and closing the lever doesn't feel as tight and solid if compared to the GEN.

- On the REP, both the CG pin and lever pin (red circles) are not brushed. It looks reflective. On the GEN, the pins are brushed exactly same as crown guard. This is a very obvious tell.



MOVEMENT

- GEN has balance wheel @7 ; REP has balance wheel @11. This is the biggest tell for the rep. Nothing we can do about it as the watch uses A7750 movement.

- On the REP, The rotor rotates more freely if compared to the GEN.

- The REP has obvious brush marks whereas the GEN brush marks are fine and smooth.

- The REP has dark & bold inscriptions of OFFICINE PANERAI, SWISS MADE, P9000 etc. This is a big tell.




CASEBACK

- On the serial number, GEN has thicker and more round shape "zero" digit on the 4000 ; REP has slimmer and taller shape zero.

- Other details look fine. Very minimal difference



SIDEVIEW

- Crystal height seems identical. Nothing much to comment about.



BUCKLE

- Deeper Panerai engraving on the GEN.

- On the GEN, tangs slots on to the buckle just nice ; on the REP, there is a little space on the slots


Conclusion: Overall very happy with the rep, high quality build. Although few flaws here and there, but I can live with it, it's a rep after all One of the 1st mod that I might look to do is to change the CG pin. Then service the movement and that should be all for me. Feel free to ask if you need me to add in anymore details, am happy to do so. I apologize if there's any wrong info given, these are my personal opinion on the watch and if any senior members find any info inaccurate, I will be happy to edit it.

Best regards
dabestone

 

[myor]

Great work mate! Thanks for sharing!

 

[PaMister]

DIAL/HANDS AND MARKERS

- The color of the dial seems pretty spot on, not much comment about that. Fonts look fine too.

Thanks for the review. I agree everything else but the dial color. It's like a night and day.. well almost, but pretty obvious to me. Everyone can see the difference in every single pic. showing dial in your review. After owning that watch for a while it is a instant tell to me from mile away...Actually I was very exited to see header of your review, I touhgt that V3 was some new version and with fixed dial.

But I'll buy that watch again as soon as they get the dial right.

 

[chris3007]

Thanks for this comparison. [emoji106] looks like the KW V3 is a nice rep.


Sent from my iPhone 6

 

[Rotador]

Good work, dabestone. Thank you.

 

[J_North]

Thanks for comparing the two!
I'm still not sure which version to get, I've read that the V2 with the ST2555 is more reliable than the V3 with the A7750.
Could someone enlighten me which is the best rep?

 

[dabestone]

Great work mate! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for this comparison. [emoji106] looks like the KW V3 is a nice rep.


Sent from my iPhone 6

Good work, dabestone. Thank you.

Thanks for reading guys. My pleasure

 

[dabestone]

Thanks for the review. I agree everything else but the dial color. It's like a night and day.. well almost, but pretty obvious to me. Everyone can see the difference in every single pic. showing dial in your review. After owning that watch for a while it is a instant tell to me from mile away...Actually I was very exited to see header of your review, I touhgt that V3 was some new version and with fixed dial.

But I'll buy that watch again as soon as they get the dial right.

Hi buddy, if I understand correctly, you mean the dial on the REP has a darker grey tone whereas the GEN has a lighter tone?

I look at them hard after reading your reply... LOL.

Still feel that they are pretty identical. If, If I'm really gonna pick on it, then yes I would say that there is a very marginal difference. Man, I don't know if I'm seeing things correctly Not sure if it's just playing with my mind ...

Maybe you can try to enlighten us by pointing out the difference. Appreciate it :thumbsup:

 

[kilowattore]

He's most likely referring to the darker color of inscriptions on dial.
Interesting comparison mate, thanks for sharing!

I'm quite surprised by the brushed CG pin, never realized it was that way

How about case thickness? Is it the same between gen and rep?

 

[dabestone]

Thanks for comparing the two!
I'm still not sure which version to get, I've read that the V2 with the ST2555 is more reliable than the V3 with the A7750.
Could someone enlighten me which is the best rep?

Yes, heard of ST2555 being more reliable. Still needs to observe further how well will the A7750 work on the watch. V3 stands out in terms on the more accurate movement decoration. That's why I chose the V3.

 

[dabestone]

He's most likely referring to the darker color of inscriptions on dial.
Interesting comparison mate, thanks for sharing!

I'm quite surprised by the brushed CG pin, never realized it was that way

How about case thickness? Is it the same between gen and rep?

Had a look at it, I think they are really close, if not exactly the same

 

[PaMister]

Hi buddy, if I understand correctly, you mean the dial on the REP has a darker grey tone whereas the GEN has a lighter tone?

I look at them hard after reading your reply... LOL.

Still feel that they are pretty identical. If, If I'm really gonna pick on it, then yes I would say that there is a very marginal difference. Man, I don't know if I'm seeing things correctly Not sure if it's just playing with my mind ...

Maybe you can try to enlighten us by pointing out the difference. Appreciate it :thumbsup:

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough. I ment "LUMINOR MARINA" and "PANERAI" text's are much darker brown in KW rep than in gen.

 

[dabestone]

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough. I ment "LUMINOR MARINA" and "PANERAI" text's are much darker brown in KW rep than in gen.

Yes, couldn't agree more on this matter. It is an obvious tell. One of the flaws.

 

[wire]

It was very informative. Thank you, sir!

 

[d4m.test]

Very interesting and well done comparison. Would not have thought there were so many tiny, but quite obvious differences, once You know about them.
Thanks for the pictures as well

 

[dabestone]

It was very informative. Thank you, sir!

Very interesting and well done comparison. Would not have thought there were so many tiny, but quite obvious differences, once You know about them.
Thanks for the pictures as well

Thank you. It's my pleasure

 

[ztealth]

The darker inscription is a huge tell. KW has yet to get the colors accurate on all the most panerai watches with the creamy fonts.

 

[dabestone]

The darker inscription is a huge tell. KW has yet to get the colors accurate on all the most panerai watches with the creamy fonts.

Just saw a member named hotwheels posted this. It's a ZF v2. Seems like it has a more accurate markers and inscriptions :thumbsup:

credit to hotwheels

 

[PaMister]

Just saw a member named hotwheels posted this. It's a ZF v2. Seems like it has a more accurate markers and inscriptions :thumbsup:

credit to hotwheels

LOL, I just asked the same in that other thread...



My Signature.

 

[barney_stinson]

great review