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KW PAM351 released - [QC pics ALLOWED of all versions KW, ZFac, ...]
- Thread starter ernien
- Start date
Hi,
I tried both this new p9000 decorated kw 351 & zf 351 at my local dealer. I also compared it to my old non decorated 351 which I bought from toro.
To be honest, I can not identify which one of them is which.
And this is my simple notes:
1. The overall build quality of both of them is about the same level. Nice but not nice enough to have a 'gen look'. This is also the same with the old 351. Mind you I have personally examine gen 351 for several times.
2. The main issue of quality seems to be coming from the chrome finish and material quality of the bezel. Zf, kw, noob, all the same. If you are used to look at gen 351, and if you are someone who observes things, you will know which one is rep (before you turn 'em over), by looking at the quality of the bezel. If you ask me to describe it, gen 351 bezel has the polish and looks of 372 case. Smooth, highly polished, clean mirror - expensive look.
There is also a minor quality difference from the finish of the case if compared to gen. The 'contrast' of the polished and brushed of the case feels greater on the gen. But this one is not as significant as the bezel.
3. Next, is the decorated movement. Again, I did not know which one is Kw or zf. But one of them, has different "swiss made" font. The "swiss made" font is a little bit bolder and more blue in color than all the fonts on the decor movement. It certainly does not look good. If I am not mistaken, this particular 351 comes with a brown strap which have a snake/ostrich like texture.
4. There is a huge difference of the color of the gold hands between those two. One is too goldie, another one looks like more normal. But I can safely say the gold color of old 351 is the best.
5. One of it, has quite bad quality of the REG TM engravings. But for these one, I did not know whether this is only a dirt, or it is indeed a bad engravings.
6. AR looks almost identical. Nothing bad to observe. But not brilliant either. I am 100% sure gen crystal is more clear than these three reps. But not by much.
7. Both their dial color already has the same color with gen dial. The old 351 dial color is too brown.
8. Both their strap sucks (as always)
I tried both this new p9000 decorated kw 351 & zf 351 at my local dealer. I also compared it to my old non decorated 351 which I bought from toro.
To be honest, I can not identify which one of them is which.
And this is my simple notes:
1. The overall build quality of both of them is about the same level. Nice but not nice enough to have a 'gen look'. This is also the same with the old 351. Mind you I have personally examine gen 351 for several times.
2. The main issue of quality seems to be coming from the chrome finish and material quality of the bezel. Zf, kw, noob, all the same. If you are used to look at gen 351, and if you are someone who observes things, you will know which one is rep (before you turn 'em over), by looking at the quality of the bezel. If you ask me to describe it, gen 351 bezel has the polish and looks of 372 case. Smooth, highly polished, clean mirror - expensive look.
There is also a minor quality difference from the finish of the case if compared to gen. The 'contrast' of the polished and brushed of the case feels greater on the gen. But this one is not as significant as the bezel.
3. Next, is the decorated movement. Again, I did not know which one is Kw or zf. But one of them, has different "swiss made" font. The "swiss made" font is a little bit bolder and more blue in color than all the fonts on the decor movement. It certainly does not look good. If I am not mistaken, this particular 351 comes with a brown strap which have a snake/ostrich like texture.
4. There is a huge difference of the color of the gold hands between those two. One is too goldie, another one looks like more normal. But I can safely say the gold color of old 351 is the best.
5. One of it, has quite bad quality of the REG TM engravings. But for these one, I did not know whether this is only a dirt, or it is indeed a bad engravings.
6. AR looks almost identical. Nothing bad to observe. But not brilliant either. I am 100% sure gen crystal is more clear than these three reps. But not by much.
7. Both their dial color already has the same color with gen dial. The old 351 dial color is too brown.
8. Both their strap sucks (as always)
I'm sorry I could not remember it. The store was heavily crowded on the day I was there, and I was also trying a few of the pam models, including 505, 372, and a model that really looks like 372 but without engravings on the case, and the decorated movement looks WAY really bad! The fonts spacing is not even! (Different decorated movement with 372) I did not know though, what model is that, can you help me identify? I think it's a radiomir, with a bit odd radi shape, a bit odd crown too.
So maybe we can ask one of our members here to post up some pics of their zf's and kw's to properly identify it
So maybe we can ask one of our members here to post up some pics of their zf's and kw's to properly identify it
@sultan brunei or lord ale
Im thinking to buy either 372 or 359, which one do u recommend me? which one is closer to gen?
Im thinking to buy either 372 or 359, which one do u recommend me? which one is closer to gen?
It's easy to decide for this.
First, you make up your mind, do you want a panerai with lots of numerals on the dial ?
If you don't, get the 372.
Secondly, take a measure at your wrist, is it more than 6.75" ?
If it is not, then the 372 may look a bit oversized on your wrist. You better get back to 359.
Third consideration, do you want an auto or manual? If you hate manual, then you must pick 359!
Talking on the subject of gen vs rep, Imho, 372 quality definitely is on the more stunning side!
- 18/1/11
- 19,845
- 419
- 83
It's easy to decide for this.
First, you make up your mind, do you want a panerai with lots of numerals on the dial ?
If you don't, get the 372.
Secondly, take a measure at your wrist, is it more than 6.75" ?
If it is not, then the 372 may look a bit oversized on your wrist. You better get back to 359.
Third consideration, do you want an auto or manual? If you hate manual, then you must pick 359!
Talking on the subject of gen vs rep, Imho, 372 quality definitely is on the more stunning side!
I agree with SB
But just disagree with the end
PAM 372 is awesome in finish and appearance but KW PAM 359 is unbeatable in this regard. Both have inaccuracies on dial and movement. But the PAM 359 case and crystal are better
PAM 372 is actually more difficult to copy
IMO KW PAM 359 is a bit more accurate
ALE
Thank you LORD ALE and thank you SULTAN BRUNEI. I appreciate your comments. however SORRY for my mistake. im considering either pam 372 or 351 the titanium with gold hands. (not 359 as i write above).
which one is more accurate between 372 or 351? i believe 372 is more accurate, because 351 case the brush case and the polish bezel is not accurate as gen. am i true?
The brush case contrast is only minor difference with gen.
The polish of bezel is not so noticeable if you are not so picky.
Have you ever go into the market for toilet products, and compare by yourself the polish and overall quality of TOTO/KOHLER stainless steel products to china made stainless steel products?
It's as if china's is not as polished "clean-mirror" like toto/kohler etc.
If you knew what I meant, then this is what I am referring to for the bezel polish of 351.
While the gen have absolutely beautiful bezel polish.
And maybe I am wrong, but I think between gen and rep 351, the material of bezel is a bit different to begin with. Rep bezel feels and look plasticky. Gen bezel feels and look just like rep 372 material and polish.
That is what I knew from closely observing and multiple times comparing with the gen.
If you are referring to accuracy, at least to my simple eyes, 372 is more accurate. Why? The 351 will never be accurate as long as the movement is not changed. It has different position of balance wheel compared with gen.
The polish of bezel is not so noticeable if you are not so picky.
Have you ever go into the market for toilet products, and compare by yourself the polish and overall quality of TOTO/KOHLER stainless steel products to china made stainless steel products?
It's as if china's is not as polished "clean-mirror" like toto/kohler etc.
If you knew what I meant, then this is what I am referring to for the bezel polish of 351.
While the gen have absolutely beautiful bezel polish.
And maybe I am wrong, but I think between gen and rep 351, the material of bezel is a bit different to begin with. Rep bezel feels and look plasticky. Gen bezel feels and look just like rep 372 material and polish.
That is what I knew from closely observing and multiple times comparing with the gen.
If you are referring to accuracy, at least to my simple eyes, 372 is more accurate. Why? The 351 will never be accurate as long as the movement is not changed. It has different position of balance wheel compared with gen.
thank you for the reply sultan brunei,
however 372 have a wrong movement too. but the case its nicer i believe.
ok, now i cancel my mind to buy 351 and will change to order 372, or perhaps wait 372 for another version/update =)
- 18/1/11
- 19,845
- 419
- 83
I agree completely and the bridge to support the BW in a P.3000 is an obvious difference.
Besides the P.9000 counts on the help of the turning rotor which hides a lot off differences
ALE
can i turn the around ... assuming you were after the best 6497 or 6497-2, what pam would you be looking at ? 44mm.
Just got my kw351 from lion city watches. Now I understand what Sultan Brunei meant when he said the bezel looks like plastic. The bezel finish is not mirror like, when you look closely at the surface of the bezel, it got slight waves and lines and very fine pits. The rotor's noisy as well, unlike my kw312. My other complaint is that the edges of the hole of the crown guard where the crown is are not straight, it has been filed a little too much. I missed that in my qc pics. And the canon pin is recessed also.
Overall, it's one gorgeous watch, the gold hands are mezmerizing, and its light enough that you forget that its there.
Overall, it's one gorgeous watch, the gold hands are mezmerizing, and its light enough that you forget that its there.
I have a kv351 and just love it. Bezel on mine is highly polished....looks great. No issues at all with it. In terms of pam reps it does not get much better than this. Beautiful watch which has been my daily wear the past week.