- 21/4/19
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Ahoy folks, back again with another comparison for the history books. My aim with this series is to help gen and rep owners alike recognize, appreciate and understand their watches better. No better place to deposit this knowledge that the greatest library of knowledge on reps on the planet! Today's comparison is one between what I consider to be the greatest of all Seamasters (quite the title yes).
Without delay, onto the review! LOADS of shots included! :woohoo:
:ttiwwop:
Introduction
To start with, I've gathered the beauties in question for comparison
Can you guess which is the rep, and which is the gen?
Contestant #1
Contestant #2
Ready?
Got it?
Good! Contestant #1 is O Factory, and contestant #2 is VSF's latest. Well done! Let's get into the nitty gritty.
The Devil is in the details
First up we'll have a close examination of the dial, datewheel, hands, indices, rehaut, light play and overall finishing.
Datewheel
Gen
Rep
First thing that stands out immediately is the datewheel. The gen font is much thinner. The shadows also tell us the gen datewheel isactually recessed, which is a really neat thing to observe. Most folks consider recess as a negative aspect that points out a rep, but it really depends on the movement. You'll also notice that the 5 minute markers (25,30,35) are thinner and crisp on the gen than on the rep. There is also a better reflection of these numbers on the rehaut on the gen, leading to a better aesthetic.
Datewheel Recess
Gen
Rep
Different angle to show the datewheel recess on the gen, as well as finishing differences on the seconds hand. Note that the orange is darker and more luscious on the gen.
Teak Patterns
Gen
Rep
You can also notice that the teak patterns on the rep are not as deep, and much smoother and even
Omega Logo and seconds hand
Gen
Rep
The omega logo on the gen has refined brushing that has an iridescent play with light. You can also note that the rep orange seconds hand has a stubbier, smaller beginning to the seconds hand, whereas the gen is flatter and wider. Notice the difference in dial teak patterns. The rep is notably deeper with its lines.
Hour hands
Gen
Rep
Comparison of hour hands. Should be getting easier to tell the difference with the seconds hand. In this particular shot, the details on the hour hand on the gen is spectacular. VSF comes very close though!
Minute Hands
Gen
Rep
Minute hand comparison. VSF did a great job! Again it's really easy to tell the difference looking at the dial teak pattern depth.
Minute Markers
Gen
Rep
Minute marker printing is specatular on the gen, and darker as well, as with all orange between these two. MUCH more lume on the gen indices.
Dial Print
Gen
Rep
Big one here. The dial print is much thinner, more crisp than the rep. However, VSF has that font down really nicely. It's an excellent rep in comparison! Teak pattern can't be unseen though lol.
Rehaut
Gen
Rep
Gen rehaut is much more reflectove, with finer brushing. An undervalued aspect!
Indices Pt. 2
Gen
Rep
Much more lume on the indicesm better finishing, more reflectivity on the rehaut shown again and numerals are darker on the gen (black as well)
Watch Dial Overview
Gen
Rep
Having all this knowledge now, the differences come to full light! A lot of respect to VSF for coming so close in many respects.
Extras:
Some more fun little differences with the handstack and colour. Can you tell which is rep and gen now? :matty:
Exterior Aspects
Lugs
The lugs from VSF are really close to gen, albeit with less of a hug towards the watch
Stem, Crown and Logo
HUGE difference between the rep stem tube and the gen tube. And i thought ZF's BB58 was nuts! Bahaha! Also as expected, vast difference in finishing between the rep logo and gen logo, as well as crown knurling and depth. Caseback on the rep is thicker.
Movement and Rear
Having looked at the intricate differences on the dial, let's have a closeup of the showcase caseback and see what we can pick up. There's a LOT of shots here, so I'll leave it to you to gawk, gander, rage, drool, or reach for the lube. Your choice! One thing is for sure, VSF definitely shows its weaknesses with the movement finishing.
Some interesting notes:
1) The Omega stamp near the balance wheel is gold with the rep but silver with the gen
2) The omega counterfeit check engraving on the lug is poorly finished on the rep in comparison to the gen, something which I didn't expect with VSF
3) The overall finish, lustre and screw quality is worlds apart between rep and gen
4) Biggest tell is the regulation mechanism between rep and gen (gen has a single pin, rep has both beat and time regulators), as well as the Omega symbol on the Balance wheel
BONUS!!
Rubber strap comparison!
Can you tell which is rep and which is gen?
Lume!
Super interesting to note that the orange seconds hand on the rep glows under UV light, whereas the gen does not. Perhaps it has something to do with the dye used? Either way, a nice quick rep check!
Can you spot the rep/gen in the dark?
Final Thoughts
If you made it this far, congratulations! Thank you for reading, and giving me a place to contribute! What a journey!
Have you decided to smash your rep in rage? Worry not friend. Zoom out for a second and you'll see that the rep is an insane bang for the buck. The gen omega has her place, but the VSF comes so close in this race, and for 1/10th of the price. There's no doubt that the VSF is 100% worth it.
I wear the rep more often and sometimes it's hard to tell which is which unless I take a closer look. I would give the VSF Aqua Terra family a 9/10 for value, similarity to gen and versatility :thumbup:
Go out and get a VSF Aqua Terra!! (If you can!) And please share your thoughts here!
One last look at the gen omega's next level finishing :hi:
Without delay, onto the review! LOADS of shots included! :woohoo:
:ttiwwop:
Introduction
To start with, I've gathered the beauties in question for comparison
Can you guess which is the rep, and which is the gen?
Contestant #1
Contestant #2
Ready?
Got it?
Good! Contestant #1 is O Factory, and contestant #2 is VSF's latest. Well done! Let's get into the nitty gritty.
The Devil is in the details
First up we'll have a close examination of the dial, datewheel, hands, indices, rehaut, light play and overall finishing.
Datewheel
Gen
Rep
First thing that stands out immediately is the datewheel. The gen font is much thinner. The shadows also tell us the gen datewheel isactually recessed, which is a really neat thing to observe. Most folks consider recess as a negative aspect that points out a rep, but it really depends on the movement. You'll also notice that the 5 minute markers (25,30,35) are thinner and crisp on the gen than on the rep. There is also a better reflection of these numbers on the rehaut on the gen, leading to a better aesthetic.
Datewheel Recess
Gen
Rep
Different angle to show the datewheel recess on the gen, as well as finishing differences on the seconds hand. Note that the orange is darker and more luscious on the gen.
Teak Patterns
Gen
Rep
You can also notice that the teak patterns on the rep are not as deep, and much smoother and even
Omega Logo and seconds hand
Gen
Rep
The omega logo on the gen has refined brushing that has an iridescent play with light. You can also note that the rep orange seconds hand has a stubbier, smaller beginning to the seconds hand, whereas the gen is flatter and wider. Notice the difference in dial teak patterns. The rep is notably deeper with its lines.
Hour hands
Gen
Rep
Comparison of hour hands. Should be getting easier to tell the difference with the seconds hand. In this particular shot, the details on the hour hand on the gen is spectacular. VSF comes very close though!
Minute Hands
Gen
Rep
Minute hand comparison. VSF did a great job! Again it's really easy to tell the difference looking at the dial teak pattern depth.
Minute Markers
Gen
Rep
Minute marker printing is specatular on the gen, and darker as well, as with all orange between these two. MUCH more lume on the gen indices.
Dial Print
Gen
Rep
Big one here. The dial print is much thinner, more crisp than the rep. However, VSF has that font down really nicely. It's an excellent rep in comparison! Teak pattern can't be unseen though lol.
Rehaut
Gen
Rep
Gen rehaut is much more reflectove, with finer brushing. An undervalued aspect!
Indices Pt. 2
Gen
Rep
Much more lume on the indicesm better finishing, more reflectivity on the rehaut shown again and numerals are darker on the gen (black as well)
Watch Dial Overview
Gen
Rep
Having all this knowledge now, the differences come to full light! A lot of respect to VSF for coming so close in many respects.
Extras:
Some more fun little differences with the handstack and colour. Can you tell which is rep and gen now? :matty:
Exterior Aspects
Lugs
The lugs from VSF are really close to gen, albeit with less of a hug towards the watch
Stem, Crown and Logo
HUGE difference between the rep stem tube and the gen tube. And i thought ZF's BB58 was nuts! Bahaha! Also as expected, vast difference in finishing between the rep logo and gen logo, as well as crown knurling and depth. Caseback on the rep is thicker.
Movement and Rear
Having looked at the intricate differences on the dial, let's have a closeup of the showcase caseback and see what we can pick up. There's a LOT of shots here, so I'll leave it to you to gawk, gander, rage, drool, or reach for the lube. Your choice! One thing is for sure, VSF definitely shows its weaknesses with the movement finishing.
Some interesting notes:
1) The Omega stamp near the balance wheel is gold with the rep but silver with the gen
2) The omega counterfeit check engraving on the lug is poorly finished on the rep in comparison to the gen, something which I didn't expect with VSF
3) The overall finish, lustre and screw quality is worlds apart between rep and gen
4) Biggest tell is the regulation mechanism between rep and gen (gen has a single pin, rep has both beat and time regulators), as well as the Omega symbol on the Balance wheel
BONUS!!
Rubber strap comparison!
Can you tell which is rep and which is gen?
Lume!
Super interesting to note that the orange seconds hand on the rep glows under UV light, whereas the gen does not. Perhaps it has something to do with the dye used? Either way, a nice quick rep check!
Can you spot the rep/gen in the dark?
Final Thoughts
If you made it this far, congratulations! Thank you for reading, and giving me a place to contribute! What a journey!
Have you decided to smash your rep in rage? Worry not friend. Zoom out for a second and you'll see that the rep is an insane bang for the buck. The gen omega has her place, but the VSF comes so close in this race, and for 1/10th of the price. There's no doubt that the VSF is 100% worth it.
I wear the rep more often and sometimes it's hard to tell which is which unless I take a closer look. I would give the VSF Aqua Terra family a 9/10 for value, similarity to gen and versatility :thumbup:
Go out and get a VSF Aqua Terra!! (If you can!) And please share your thoughts here!
One last look at the gen omega's next level finishing :hi:
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