The gen PAM087 has been on my purchase list for quite some time, actually ever since I built a PAM243 with a gen 087 dial.
So I added the gen to my collection. The gen is gorgeous, but honestly the dial is the most gen-like part of the watch. The finish does not speak the the "genuine perfection" that many on this forum hold in such high esteme. The parts all look hand made and hand finished. But this is actually what I love about genuine Panerai from the tritium era.
Anyway, You can imagine how curious I was when the rep was relelased. When I received it I immediately did some comparison shots that have sat in my files waiting for a chance to post. So, here we go... Enjoy!
In General:
At first glance the watches appear very similar. There are really no major differences noticeable on the wrist. Fit, finish, bezel function, CG Lever snap... All on par or even better than gen (you'll see what I mean if you keep reading)
The CG:
There are some obvious differences on the CG that have been covered thoroughly. Mainly the chamfered inside corners on the gen give way to perfectly square corners on the rep. This is actually interesting because H Factory has nailed this detail perfectly on other watches, but missed it on the 087. But one thing most people don't pay attention to is the polished and rounded edges on the CG lever. A very nice detail that improves the wearers experience interacting with the watch. There are no sharp edges at all. The CG pin is nicely finished and mirror polished on the rep, just like the gen.
But, one thing to note: Notice how poorly the Gen CG fits the case
Conversly notice how perfectly the H factory CG fits...
Gen
Rep
Here's a side by side, the rep is on the bottom. the finish on the rep is not great on the bottom edge
The Bezel:
Function: The bezel functions match the gen in terms of click and feel as you turn but there are some differences in the pips and number size you'll see below.
Pips/numbers: I believe the pip size is the same but the numbers are slightly too small on the rep. Also the gen pips are perfectly mirror polished and totally flat with very sharp edges that almost have the appearance of a microscopic beveled edge. The rep pips are nicely polished but not totally flat and the edge finish is not the same.
Pearl: lume is darker than average, but within reason
Hash marks: Acceptable with matte finish. The gen marks are mostly square, the rep have a rounded appearance.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Case Shape/Finish:
Overall Finish: The rep is better than the gen. No joke. Take a look below at the corner lug pictures to see what I mean.
Knurling: Not exactly the same but nicely finished nonetheless and closer than most I have seen.
Bezel Profile: Some will say "too square" but I disagree. Picture studies are one thing, but holding the gen next to the rep is the real test, a test which the rep passes.
Lug shape: nearly identical
Brushing: perfect
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Crown:
There's been some debate over this, but I can put it to rest. The rep crown is not thinner than the gen. It just has a beveled edge that makes it appear more thin. It is actually more nicely finished than the gen crown.
Gen on the left, Rep on the right
Rep on the left, Gen on the right
Caseback:
The caseback is very nice on the rep is very good. Letter font and size is very accurate. the depth of the engraving is the biggest difference. Also the SWISS MADE on the gen appears to be stamped.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Movement:
Comparison not necesary
Pictures below are of the...nevermind, you know already
Dial/Hands::
This is where the most improvement can be made. It's about 50% of the way there. Good enough but not great.
Color: perfect color match with the navy blue of the F Series.
Numbers: shape is a really nice match. But the lume plots (the space on which the lume is painted for the 12 and 6) on the gen are a cream/off-white color. The lume plots on the rep are yellow. This is a big miss. A very obvious tell.
Marker Shape: The gen are lovely rhodium plated markers with smooth edges. The rep is too square with then edges.
Textured finish: some say the rep is too textured. Maybe, but its really close. You'll see below. It's almost perfect. I give the rep makers an A Grade for even attempting to reproduce the texture.
Hands: Sorry. Too yellow on the rep. 90% of the gen sub hands I have seen or owned are a light to medium creamy yellow with a lime-green overtone. Quite a bit like modern luminova PAM243 hands. These are just too yellow.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Summary:
Overall a very nice rep, probably First Class High Grade. The differences on the dial appearance with the yellow lume plots and hands with lume that is too dark are too large to ignore
Next steps....
Now, let's say you own the gen and you just so happen to have a spare gen dial, gen luminova hands and a swiss movement. I suppose you could build a franken so damn good with those parts that you maybe, just maybe would sell your gen
So I added the gen to my collection. The gen is gorgeous, but honestly the dial is the most gen-like part of the watch. The finish does not speak the the "genuine perfection" that many on this forum hold in such high esteme. The parts all look hand made and hand finished. But this is actually what I love about genuine Panerai from the tritium era.
Anyway, You can imagine how curious I was when the rep was relelased. When I received it I immediately did some comparison shots that have sat in my files waiting for a chance to post. So, here we go... Enjoy!
In General:
At first glance the watches appear very similar. There are really no major differences noticeable on the wrist. Fit, finish, bezel function, CG Lever snap... All on par or even better than gen (you'll see what I mean if you keep reading)
The CG:
There are some obvious differences on the CG that have been covered thoroughly. Mainly the chamfered inside corners on the gen give way to perfectly square corners on the rep. This is actually interesting because H Factory has nailed this detail perfectly on other watches, but missed it on the 087. But one thing most people don't pay attention to is the polished and rounded edges on the CG lever. A very nice detail that improves the wearers experience interacting with the watch. There are no sharp edges at all. The CG pin is nicely finished and mirror polished on the rep, just like the gen.
But, one thing to note: Notice how poorly the Gen CG fits the case
Conversly notice how perfectly the H factory CG fits...Gen
Rep
Here's a side by side, the rep is on the bottom. the finish on the rep is not great on the bottom edge
The Bezel:
Function: The bezel functions match the gen in terms of click and feel as you turn but there are some differences in the pips and number size you'll see below.
Pips/numbers: I believe the pip size is the same but the numbers are slightly too small on the rep. Also the gen pips are perfectly mirror polished and totally flat with very sharp edges that almost have the appearance of a microscopic beveled edge. The rep pips are nicely polished but not totally flat and the edge finish is not the same.
Pearl: lume is darker than average, but within reason
Hash marks: Acceptable with matte finish. The gen marks are mostly square, the rep have a rounded appearance.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Case Shape/Finish:
Overall Finish: The rep is better than the gen. No joke. Take a look below at the corner lug pictures to see what I mean.
Knurling: Not exactly the same but nicely finished nonetheless and closer than most I have seen.
Bezel Profile: Some will say "too square" but I disagree. Picture studies are one thing, but holding the gen next to the rep is the real test, a test which the rep passes.
Lug shape: nearly identical
Brushing: perfect
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Crown:
There's been some debate over this, but I can put it to rest. The rep crown is not thinner than the gen. It just has a beveled edge that makes it appear more thin. It is actually more nicely finished than the gen crown.
Gen on the left, Rep on the right
Rep on the left, Gen on the right
Caseback:
The caseback is very nice on the rep is very good. Letter font and size is very accurate. the depth of the engraving is the biggest difference. Also the SWISS MADE on the gen appears to be stamped.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Movement:
Comparison not necesary
Pictures below are of the...nevermind, you know already
Dial/Hands::
This is where the most improvement can be made. It's about 50% of the way there. Good enough but not great.
Color: perfect color match with the navy blue of the F Series.
Numbers: shape is a really nice match. But the lume plots (the space on which the lume is painted for the 12 and 6) on the gen are a cream/off-white color. The lume plots on the rep are yellow. This is a big miss. A very obvious tell.
Marker Shape: The gen are lovely rhodium plated markers with smooth edges. The rep is too square with then edges.
Textured finish: some say the rep is too textured. Maybe, but its really close. You'll see below. It's almost perfect. I give the rep makers an A Grade for even attempting to reproduce the texture.
Hands: Sorry. Too yellow on the rep. 90% of the gen sub hands I have seen or owned are a light to medium creamy yellow with a lime-green overtone. Quite a bit like modern luminova PAM243 hands. These are just too yellow.
Pictures below are of the Gen then Rep
Summary:
Overall a very nice rep, probably First Class High Grade. The differences on the dial appearance with the yellow lume plots and hands with lume that is too dark are too large to ignore
Next steps....
Now, let's say you own the gen and you just so happen to have a spare gen dial, gen luminova hands and a swiss movement. I suppose you could build a franken so damn good with those parts that you maybe, just maybe would sell your gen
Last edited by a moderator:
