Here's a classic gen vs rep comparison, but this time it's a comparison between two milanese mesh bracelets, the genuine Omega steel mesh and the VSF V3 steel mesh from 3 years ago. After ordering it from Omega about a month ago, I finally have the gen stainless steel mesh. FYI, the mesh comes in various sizes (S,M,L) and widths. I bought the 20mm lug width size M which is the standard size, ref 020STZ015679. It's funny to think that when Omega did their titanium mesh for the NTTD SMP with that clever deployant clasp, none of the rep factories at the time did a copy in titanium. But they did however do a copy in stainless steel. Yes VSF did it first. It wouldn't be until about a year or so ago did Omega produce a steel version of the NTTD mesh and sold it separately in various lengths and widths. And of course most recently, it's the same one that would come with the Omega 60th Anniversary 007 SMP.
In all the photos that follows, the gen is on the left, rep is on the right.
In hand, the gen steel mesh looks really good. It feels really well made and has a nice weight to it. The titanium mesh that I've handled a handful of times was naturally lightweight, the steel as expected has a slight heft to it. The weaving of the mesh is beautiful and exactly as it was on the titanium mesh. Comparing it with the rep mesh that I have, the rep mesh feels lighter even though they're both made of steel. The weave on the rep mesh isn't as rounded as the gen which makes the gen look really special especially when seen up close. Great craftsmanship and engineering on the gen all around. The weaving pattern isn't consistent on the rep, but it's very consistent throughout the gen mesh. Despite all that, the rep is actually still a very well done mesh bracelet.
Both bracelet tapers exactly the same from 20mm from the top of the endlinks to 18mm towards the bottom.
The satin finishing on both is near identical. With the gen looking a bit more refined. The clasp of the rep mesh is actually pretty well done. Omega opted for a mix of brushed and polished finishing on their steel clasp and since the rep is based on the titanium mesh which has an all brushed clasp, the rep has it all brushed here.
The flap to size the bracelet is shaped differently on the rep. But it does the same job the gen flap does, and that's to lock into one of the 7 holes to size the bracelet according to your wrist size. The flap shape on the rep was fixed on later versions depending on maker to match that of the gen.
From the side of the mesh, the gen has a thicker area towards the top and it goes thinner towards the bottom whereas it's all the same thickness on the rep.
Something to take note of is that the gen mesh uses thin springbars. The rep uses the normal thick springbars that comes with the SMP. This was an issue with the gen because it doesn't come with the springbars. That's disappointing coming from Omega. They should include springbars! So if someone were to buy the mesh for their SMP for instance like I did, you would need to find an appropriately sized springbar that would fit inside the tube of both the endlinks as the springbars that comes with the SMP or other Omega watches are mostly all the thicker ones. The boutique unfortunately didn't have any thin springbars for it and were clueless about it so they couldn't install the mesh bracelet for me. I was lucky to have a pair of springbars suitable for it after I left the boutique and installed it myself.
In conclusion, how does the rep wear compared to the gen? Well it's very close. Both are really comfortable. The rep almost feels as good as the gen when it's around the wrist. For a rep along with that Omega style deployant clasp, it's very decent without having to spend too much on the gen. Even the sizing for my wrist is the same, both are on the 3rd smallest hole and again very comfortable around my 7" wrist. But in terms of looks and finishing, I really like how the gen looks. There are similar aftermarket ones available that is similar to the VSF mesh right down to the clasp, go for it if you don't want to spend too much on a mesh bracelet. But if you want that OEM quality finishing (those rounded weaving of the mesh is just beautiful), then go for the genuine Omega mesh.
Gen
Rep
Gen
Rep
In all the photos that follows, the gen is on the left, rep is on the right.
In hand, the gen steel mesh looks really good. It feels really well made and has a nice weight to it. The titanium mesh that I've handled a handful of times was naturally lightweight, the steel as expected has a slight heft to it. The weaving of the mesh is beautiful and exactly as it was on the titanium mesh. Comparing it with the rep mesh that I have, the rep mesh feels lighter even though they're both made of steel. The weave on the rep mesh isn't as rounded as the gen which makes the gen look really special especially when seen up close. Great craftsmanship and engineering on the gen all around. The weaving pattern isn't consistent on the rep, but it's very consistent throughout the gen mesh. Despite all that, the rep is actually still a very well done mesh bracelet.
Both bracelet tapers exactly the same from 20mm from the top of the endlinks to 18mm towards the bottom.
The satin finishing on both is near identical. With the gen looking a bit more refined. The clasp of the rep mesh is actually pretty well done. Omega opted for a mix of brushed and polished finishing on their steel clasp and since the rep is based on the titanium mesh which has an all brushed clasp, the rep has it all brushed here.
The flap to size the bracelet is shaped differently on the rep. But it does the same job the gen flap does, and that's to lock into one of the 7 holes to size the bracelet according to your wrist size. The flap shape on the rep was fixed on later versions depending on maker to match that of the gen.
From the side of the mesh, the gen has a thicker area towards the top and it goes thinner towards the bottom whereas it's all the same thickness on the rep.
Something to take note of is that the gen mesh uses thin springbars. The rep uses the normal thick springbars that comes with the SMP. This was an issue with the gen because it doesn't come with the springbars. That's disappointing coming from Omega. They should include springbars! So if someone were to buy the mesh for their SMP for instance like I did, you would need to find an appropriately sized springbar that would fit inside the tube of both the endlinks as the springbars that comes with the SMP or other Omega watches are mostly all the thicker ones. The boutique unfortunately didn't have any thin springbars for it and were clueless about it so they couldn't install the mesh bracelet for me. I was lucky to have a pair of springbars suitable for it after I left the boutique and installed it myself.
In conclusion, how does the rep wear compared to the gen? Well it's very close. Both are really comfortable. The rep almost feels as good as the gen when it's around the wrist. For a rep along with that Omega style deployant clasp, it's very decent without having to spend too much on the gen. Even the sizing for my wrist is the same, both are on the 3rd smallest hole and again very comfortable around my 7" wrist. But in terms of looks and finishing, I really like how the gen looks. There are similar aftermarket ones available that is similar to the VSF mesh right down to the clasp, go for it if you don't want to spend too much on a mesh bracelet. But if you want that OEM quality finishing (those rounded weaving of the mesh is just beautiful), then go for the genuine Omega mesh.
Gen
Rep
Gen
Rep
Especially if you consider the MSRP it comes at..
