Disappointing Z-Factory Bronzo PAM 382 has Bad Build Quality/QC

[Thrasher]

ZF Blindly ? It was the first release of any Bronzo rep. I wanted to have it , so I bought one. If it sucked , oh well. But it's actually a very well made watch for the price. Fair Enough you have the experience to make this decision based on your knowledge of the Rep world.

My point was that YOU should put some time and effort into watches you may consider purchasing. Why ? Every watch has flaws. I may think the Z is a great Bronzo. Others may not. Sure , it's entertainment to see us go back and forth on what we think is most accurate. But at least I am debating with folks who have done their research on the watch. I'm reading and looking at pictures here on ebay and on the Genuine websites, I'm doing my due diligence but I cant learn in a month or less what you have in years of study

My suggestion to you is to read all the info posted here, Working on it . Look at the pictures , etc. I bet if I lined up a Z , KW , and GEN Bronzo in front of you , confusion would set in. No Doubt Which brings me to my final point. Don't let miniscule flaws ruin the hobby. I wont

I'm having a good time learning but again I'm new so cut me some slack, Most of what I see looks genuine to me because I don't know better, except for the Seamaster Pro and the Speedmaster , I have genuines and that makes it easy to spot some differences in some offerings but others look very close as the variations from year to year etc etc. Anyway I'm learning. I'm also beginning to have a more specific type or style that appeals to me and I'm beginning to really see things I don't like, some of the overly complicated models just seem ridiculous sure the genuines are engineering master works but to wear a clone of these doesn't appeal to me as the real genius of the watch is inside and that is only to be found on the genuine. Whatever, its odd I didn't think much about the PAM at first glance but after awhile you appreciate it for its simple beauty and history. But the Royal Oak which seems to be everywhere is unattractive and some of the variations make no sense. Oh well. Have a good day sir.

 

[TheDonSL]

I just got my Pam389 on calfskin strap... I am pissed, the bezel does not align perfect at the II marker or 12. Is there any way to fix this? Also the strap is very cheaply made. I am def not impressed.


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[kilowattore]

Either you live with the bezel or you can try this: http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=228719

Also, no one seems happy about the rep strap.
Luckily you have plenty of strap makers that can sell you a very good one. It will be money well spent, after all the strap makes the watch

 

[TheDonSL]

anyone know what exact strap model # and color the genuine uses and where I can get online?

 

[P4GTR]

I'm having a good time learning but again I'm new so cut me some slack, Most of what I see looks genuine to me because I don't know better, except for the Seamaster Pro and the Speedmaster , I have genuines and that makes it easy to spot some differences in some offerings but others look very close as the variations from year to year etc etc. Anyway I'm learning. I'm also beginning to have a more specific type or style that appeals to me and I'm beginning to really see things I don't like, some of the overly complicated models just seem ridiculous sure the genuines are engineering master works but to wear a clone of these doesn't appeal to me as the real genius of the watch is inside and that is only to be found on the genuine. Whatever, its odd I didn't think much about the PAM at first glance but after awhile you appreciate it for its simple beauty and history. But the Royal Oak which seems to be everywhere is unattractive and some of the variations make no sense. Oh well. Have a good day sir.

You're doing a good job. Best advice from Beemer was don't let Rep owner syndrome ruin things for you. Welcome, see you around the boards.

 

[TheDonSL]

I would never purchase another ZF... I'm sticking with Noob on all Panerais! The quality of the Pam187 I have by Noob far surpasses ZF and any other Panerai maker and the price is the same or less depending on which ZF you bought...


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[Thrasher]

You're doing a good job. Best advice from Beemer was don't let Rep owner syndrome ruin things for you. Welcome, see you around the boards.

Thank you I spend hours on some days, I have a bit of OCD so when I get an idea in my head it gets stuck and I just go crazy learning and buying and moding. I don't think I will doing any work my self though my hands aren't as steady as they use to be and are pretty big to, my eyes aren't what they use to be either so these little tiny things I would have problems with.

 

[P4GTR]

Thank you I spend hours on some days, I have a bit of OCD so when I get an idea in my head it gets stuck and I just go crazy learning and buying and moding. I don't think I will doing any work my self though my hands aren't as steady as they use to be and are pretty big to, my eyes aren't what they use to be either so these little tiny things I would have problems with.

Never say never man. You'll be doing some small stuff at least, for sure. The fact that you are able to communicate with proper grammar and compose your posts respectfully will net you just about all the help you could ever need. Better than working on cars and bikes, no more bloody oily knuckles when your top of the line parts dont snap right in like they do for the guys on TV/magazines.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Z Factory is not a single factory. It is a collection of small makers that dealers group into 1 factory. Don't avoid Z-Fac watches because one of them is bad. However, all of the Panerai watches from "Z-Fac" probably come from the same maker.

Source: TD

The Black Bay is fantastic!

there never was a factory buddy, i think you misunderstood what i said my bad :frusty: All makers sourced parts and assemble them in dg/sz and gz than distribute them at wm. They 're not operating like the gen makers, where they manufacture almost everything inhouse. (including movements) Exactly what mysterio said below...

Who said that?

This is my understanding. Z-Factory is not an actual factory (much like Noob and H-Fac are not). They are makers who assemble the watches into the final product. They get their parts from parts factories. Some make the dial, others supply the movement, etc. It is still correct that the flaw may lie in the sub-assembly or part that came from a single factory, however, since the makers, in this case, Z-Factory, assemble the watches themselves, they should see these issues on their side and not let these watches reach the dealers who will in turn sell them.

thanks mysterio! :cat:

 

[gonebaby]

ok new to forum wanted to know the best site to get the bronzo? i see a few sites that have it but they have blk faces? i thought the gen came with green face?

 

[ZoomBoy]

ok new to forum wanted to know the best site to get the bronzo? i see a few sites that have it but they have blk faces? i thought the gen came with green face?

Any TD listed on the trusted dealers section of this forum. I personally use InTime, Toro, or Sead (Super Mirrors).

 

[Fat And Furious]

When did $500 become the benchmark for perfection ? You guys must not be buying AP's.

Rep 'perfection' stands at 458 with the fifty fathoms :whistling:

 

[gonebaby]

thanks.

 

[PAM1983]

Well here are some quick photos of my bronzo. It feels great on the wrist even if there are some flaws. Got a compliment from my neighbor today who wears a gen Patek. And i'd like to echo what BMW said, compared to my APs which often cost $600-$700 before I'm satisfied with it, this one for $high 400's aint bad

This rep looks amazing. If I can find one of this quality I'm game.


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[MR.JAMES_BOND.007]

My ZF V4 Pam382 Bezel seems to be showing a Stainless Steel Finish around the edge of the Bezel. So much for being "Solid Bronze"....

 

[CybNoX]

After handling 3 Zf PAM312 and 4 V6F/KW PAM312, I must say KW is much consistent. just on the dials, ZF can poles apart between releases.

 

[Enfield]

So did mine - I returned it to China and had the bezel changed to - hopefully - a solid one. At least that is what my TD promised. Just got mail that it is fixed and should soon be on its way back.
Chr

My ZF V4 Pam382 Bezel seems to be showing a Stainless Steel Finish around the edge of the Bezel. So much for being "Solid Bronze"....

 

[MR.JAMES_BOND.007]

How much did they charge for the new bezel?
Can you order me one? Haha

So did mine - I returned it to China and had the bezel changed to - hopefully - a solid one. At least that is what my TD promised. Just got mail that it is fixed and should soon be on its way back.
Chr

 

[peterpl]

it seems not only IWC ZF's have QC issues but also other models as well. ZF up your QC and assembly please.

 

[Enfield]

No charge - it was showing the fault already after one week!! I had to pay for return shipping to Guangzhou ( and the risk of losing the watch) everything else was covered by warranty.
Best regards
Christian

How much did they charge for the new bezel?
Can you order me one? Haha