Anyone 388 GEN vs REP

[Capt. Obvious]

Has anybody had the fortune of doing a gen/rep comparison for this?
I'm considering whether it'd be really worth buying the gen 388 down the line.

My guts tell me it's NOT worth it given the KW quality of the 388, but it'd be nice to hear from someone who was able to handle and wear both.

 

[varsitymisc]

Yeah mate I have a KW 388 (I think seagull) and my dad has a gen. Parents live in another country so unfortunately can't do side by side pics.

In my opinion, it's an "on-wrist super rep" - very, very difficult to distinguish gen from rep, assuming someone isn't going to look at the movement. The weight is very similar, KW finish is excellent - the only tell is some have a slightly sunken date wheel.


IMO, no Pam is worth buying gen as the reps are so good. If you're going to drop the money, I'd get a gen Rolex since they're notorious for being faked, or a watch for which there is no good quality rep.

 

[Capt. Obvious]

[...]IMO, no Pam is worth buying gen as the reps are so good. [...]

That's what I've been thinking! Thx for your opinion.

 

[wingzee]

I went to a PAM boutique to check the gen sometime ago after I have gotten the rep (was wearing my gen Omega SMPc that time). Couldn't really visibly tell any difference seriously. Of course I am not exactly an expert in PAMs and may have missed some details but I think to any common guy on the street, they wouldn't be able tell the difference as well. Hence my advise if go for the rep if you feel like it. Not saying it's wrong to get a gen but IMO the rep is extremely well build given its price tag and I personally couldn't justify the quality vs price difference between both.

By the way, the one I own is the KW v2 with fixed lugs issues and Seagull movement.

 

[stephen1wt]

New to the forum and by no means an expert but I agree.

 

[Pamtastic]

I nearly bought the gen 388 as well as I loved the watch. However after wearing the gen at the AD (numerous times) I had a very difficult time justifying spending so much on a watch with such marginal differences between the gen and rep. No one has ever asked me to take the watch off my wrist so they could examine the movement, so that's not a concern to me. In the end I abandoned picking up a 388 and managed to pick up a 514 as it's not repped at all (yet?).

 

[Capt. Obvious]

You guys make too much sense! I'll probably stick with the rep and get a different, non-reppable gen!

 

[Pamtastic]

You guys make too much sense! I'll probably stick with the rep and get a different, non-reppable gen!

It's a good idea. Also, if u picked up a gen 388, there's a good chance you'd always look at it and be underwhelmed knowing your rep looked SO identical for a fraction of the price.

 

[Thrasher]

It's a good idea. Also, if u picked up a gen 388, there's a good chance you'd always look at it and be underwhelmed knowing your rep looked SO identical for a fraction of the price.

I love my KW 388 even though I bought it on M2M and the crown doesn't really screw down easily it looks great even the black rep strap works on my big wrist. A year ago before I was into Rep watches I almost bought a 16610 LN preowned for $5200... You have no idea how disappointed I would have been setting it next to my TC 16610 LN with Gen insert and crown. I love my Rolex collection but to imagine a 16610 is such an icon is just silly its nothing compared to other gens out there. A truly great watch is the 1675. IMHO sorry to go off the rails.

 

[Paneristina]

My 388 is one of the best/most accurate reps I own, hands down. Nobody is ever going to ask you to take it off so they can inspect the movement.

I look at it this way, the rep is 95% of the accuracy, and about 3% of the price. No-brainer.

 

[ALE7575]

My 388 is one of the best/most accurate reps I own, hands down. Nobody is ever going to ask you to take it off so they can inspect the movement.

I look at it this way, the rep is 95% of the accuracy, and about 3% of the price. No-brainer.

I agree
Everybody will look your eyes

ALE