Hi all, I loved my Black Bay Black rep so much that I bought a GEN! I found a second hand deal that I just couldn't pass up. Having both pieces now I wanted to share some thoughts and photos.
First of all, the rep is scary good! When I went to look at the GEN, I expected to immediately see a big noticeable difference in the crystal shape and dial texture. This wasn't the case, in fact, I was initially worried I might have a scammer trying to sell me another rep! After spending a little more time I was able to verify authenticity. The crown action and bezel feel were really what gave me the assurance and after spending more time with it I can now really see the differences:
Overall, I'm actually way more impressed with the rep now that I own the GEN. On the wrist it's virtually impossible to tell the difference.
GEN always on the left:
First of all, the rep is scary good! When I went to look at the GEN, I expected to immediately see a big noticeable difference in the crystal shape and dial texture. This wasn't the case, in fact, I was initially worried I might have a scammer trying to sell me another rep! After spending a little more time I was able to verify authenticity. The crown action and bezel feel were really what gave me the assurance and after spending more time with it I can now really see the differences:
- Bezel action on the rep is good, but the GEN is the best of any watch I've ever handled. The GEN bezel clicks have satisfying "snap" to them that I've never felt before.
- The GEN crown winds and sets like butter, noticeably smoother than the rep.
- The rep still has the date setting crown position which is a dead giveaway. GEN crown pulls out one position to set the time. Rep crown moves out one position for setting a nonexistent date, and then a second position to set the time
- GEN dial is a deeper black with a very subtle texture, rep dial is more smooth in comparison
- GEN dial printing is just slightly better
- Lume is brighter and more evenly applied on the GEN, rep lume color appears to be a slightly different shade of green
- In daylight, GEN lume has more of a vintage/cream color while the rep has a slight green tinge.
- Rose crown engraving is thicker and deeper on the GEN
- Crystal is maybe 1mm taller on the GEN, I was expecting to see more of a difference in the edge bevel but the rep crystal is extremely close.
- Bracelets are damn close in construction and feel, GEN engravings are slightly deeper
Overall, I'm actually way more impressed with the rep now that I own the GEN. On the wrist it's virtually impossible to tell the difference.
GEN always on the left:
