Luminor Submersible PAM 087F "La Bomba"
Better than gen?
Better than gen?
Ok, I am a little late with this review.
I ordered this rep almost immediately when it was released back before CNY last year, but unluckily when I received the watch it wasn't working
CNY was incoming so I decided to send the watch to Domi for fixing it instead of returning it back. Well, it took a while tbh, but on the bright side of things the watch now runs perfectly smooth
ALE just posted his own in depth analysis HERE covering this rep in every detail, so I will just try to point out the thing that impressed me the most, keep it as short as possible with the words and... post a lot of pics
Model: PAM 087 F series
Maker: H factory
Movement: Asian 7750 clone
Dealer: Intime
CASE
PAM 087 features a Luminor Bettarini mid case modified to house a uni-directional diver's bezel.
Finish is brushed, while hour markers are polished. 15-30-45 markers numbers are painted black, as well as the stick markers going from 0 to 15.
Only earlier PAM models were based on the Bettarini mid case while latter references have been based on the 1950 case, so this rep is especially interesting and unique to me.
TBH I must also admit I am surprised the rep factories decided to invest in repping it.
The first thing I noticed holding the watch in my hands was the vivid and crisp finish of the case. Yes, maybe the brushing is a little too rough, indeed the case edges are too sharp compared to gen, but I just love it.
The overall shape of the case is pretty good, nothing major except the above mentioned sharper machining of the case. The base of the lugs is a little larger than gen.
The transition from the top of the bezel and its side should be smoother and rounder, but again the rep has more defined edges. Pearl looks very nice and bezel dots are nice and accurate as well.
DIAL
This is THE blue dial, surely one of the best blue dials I have ever seen although its texture seems to be a little to rough. The following pic shows an exaggerated effect under strong direct light meant to give you an idea of it, it never looks like this IRL:
The 12 and 6 indices have a beautiful dark banana yellow color, they are outlined in a lighter yellow (I thought it was white looking at online pics but it is indeed yellow).
Lume application is sausage-style, thick and even, a little grainy at great magnifications.
Stick indices are a darker color, almost orange, with a metal rim around the lume. This rim is too sharp and flat compared to gen, yet another flaw most likely due to better machiningof the rep.
The seconds subdial is sunken and decorated with concentric circles like the gen is. Prints are crisp, slightly raised and glossy under the right light.
Of course a gen dial can't be beat, but this is a very very VERY good dial imho.
CRYSTAL AND HANDS
Crystal is pretty clear on this rep, AR is colorless but not very strong. The most annoying thing is the date lens is a bit difficult to read as the date is distorted at many different angles. I must say I noticed the same in gens as well.
Hands are fantastic, the thing I like the most is how they look thick, not like your usual rep hands. They look too tall to me though, not a big deal but worth mentioning.
The cap hiding the center pinion is flat with a little rounding of the edges, it has a less shiny finish than hands which on certain angles makes it look satin finished.
CROWNGUARD
Overall shape is quite good, both CG body and CG lever are very accurate. CG pin is placed correctly, it should just be a little more flush with the CG base.
Crownguard inner corners should be chamfered (not rounded), although there are noticeable variations in gen as well.
Some of the reps I saw have round inner corners, others like mine have sharp inner corners, both incorrect.
Lever is quite good with a nicely shaped tip sitting close to the case.
Lever operation is satisfactory, it shuts tight and firm. 1000 m engraving is pretty good as well.
CASEBACK
Closed caseback is pretty well machined, with a nice and noticeable radial brushing. Engravings are crisp but, as observed by ALE, gen has slightly deeper engravings. Fonts are correct from what I can tell without overlaying gen and rep pics.
STRAP
No pics about the strap because I already sold it, but I must admit it was a very well made strap. Thick and consistent, the nubuck lizard grain had a great feel. One of the few rep straps worth keeping if it suits your style.
CONCLUSIONS
So in the end, is it better than gen?
Of course it's not, but it's funny to see how the biggest flaws of this rep are essentially due to the incredibly sharp and nice finish, noticeably crisper and more defined than in the gen.
On the other hand what we have here is a very fine example of how a rep should be made. A very accurate dial, an almost perfect case and a great attention to the finest details.
Well done H-fac!
Now a few more pics
Lume shot:
As usual any input and comment is very welcome, I would be glad to update the review with anything I missed.
Hope you enjoyed the reading and pics!
:cheers:
