PAM 127 26x26 Gold Cashmere Gen vs Rep Picture Review

[bigjulie]

I just got my fully modded and expensive PAM 127 from Marlin (totally worth it and great guy to deal with!) a few days ago and also ordered an OEM Cashmere 26x26 strap to go with it (the strap that comes with the origional watch). I had heard that the gold cashmere strap that comes with the watch was very good, and was regretting spend the $300+ for the OEM strap. But once I got them and put them side by side, there is a night and day difference. See attached photos.

OEM strap
Softer
Slightly longer
Marking on the straps don't match
Thicker
More textured
Different edging
I could go on and on...

They are completely different and anyone with an OEM strap would be able to tell the difference quickly. But in defense of the rep strap it is of very good quality and looks very nice (just not like the OEM version)

 

[bigjulie]

BTW

The OEM strap is on the Left in all pics

 

[panasol]

interesting thread (I'm also waiting for my "swiss" 127 from Marlin)
Where did you get the OEM strap from?

 

[bigjulie]

This particular strap I got from the watchuseek forum. I have gotten 4 other OEM straps from gen watch forums. It is really nice. They all pretty much have a section for selling straps just like RWI.

 

[Arancini]

Lovely strap and congrats on the Marlin 127.

Amazing Rep. of that model.

If I were to ever buy a 127 again, that would be the one.

 

[panasol]

Damn you bigjulie...

Since I read your review/comparison I keep searching for the OEM strap...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[shyreplover]

Nice strap.
Gold cashmere.... doesn't look like cashmere and certainly not yellow enough to resemble gold bar. Non marketing people like me would call the strap: light brown textured calf strap.

 

[bigjulie]

Tons of compliments

I swear, every time I wear this watch someone tells me they love it or ask me what it is. It has started so many great watch conversations. I get compliments on my other Panerai, but nothing compares to this one. The strap is perfect for the summer.

I am thinking of getting a black strap to wear in the winter?

I have put OEM straps on all my watches and I think it makes the biggest difference in the feel of the watch.

 

[dsmdave]

Color is not even close. Congrats on the OEM strap bet it makes all the difference in the world.

 

[panasol]

Your review led me to buy an OEM strap too....

You owe me 200$ mate....


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[cal8500]

Where is the best place, to buy PAM oem straps?

 

[chris3007]

Best place is a Panerai boutique.
But let your watch in the car if you walk into the boutique.


Sent from my iPhone 6

 

[slaughterer62]

Thanks for the comparison. I am not a big fan of the rep cashmere, and I have seen 3 different ones. But I am not a big fan of the Panerai OEM cashmere. I actually think the Simona "Alchemist" LE is what I would go for if I wanted something in this direction:
http://www.distefanostraps.com/prodotto.asp?idprodotto=217&idcategoriab=5

 

[chris3007]

Haha, nice. The "alchemist" is exactly the strap I have ordered for my 127.


Sent from my iPhone 6

 

[slaughterer62]

Great minds think alike, Chris. Staying within Simona's repertoire, I would also recommend the Borgia LE and the Thrilla LE strap for 127.

 

[cal8500]

Best place is a Panerai boutique.
But let your watch in the car if you walk into the boutique.


Sent from my iPhone 6

"Best place" in this case means "cheapest place"!

For that I think, Boutique is the worst place. (Anyway - I don't want to spend more than 100 Bugs for only a leather strap. Normaly I only waer ss-bracelet)

I think I will go with a CORRIGIA (Django or Oldboy).

 

[AP_VC]

"Best place" in this case means "cheapest place"!

For that I think, Boutique is the worst place. (Anyway - I don't want to spend more than 100 Bugs for only a leather strap. Normaly I only waer ss-bracelet)

I think I will go with a CORRIGIA (Django or Oldboy).

Don't Corrigia straps cost 200+ Euros?

 

[chris3007]

BTW the gen Panerai Cashmere gold strap cost 230€ at the Panerai boutique, and at every other AD here in Munich.
It's not really cheap...


Sent from my iPhone 6

 

[cal8500]

Don't Corrigia straps cost 200+ Euros?

Some, but not all.

BTW the gen Panerai Cashmere gold strap cost 230€ at the Panerai boutique, and at every other AD here in Munich.
It's not really cheap...

That's it!

And I don't pay over 200€ for a strap, for a Rep, which costs 400€.

 

[NickOT]

And I don't pay over 200€ for a strap, for a Rep, which costs 400€.

Yes the gen strap is half the price of the base rep, but if you have a marlin modded rep, with swiss parts then it's not quite the same story.
I have a franken, swiss 127 (gen OEM dial and hands, gen eta 6497) and being my holy grail I feel that its worthy of a gen strap. I reserved at a boutique and just got a call today that its now in stock.
At the end of the day it's all down to what you feel is worth it, heck I'm pretty sure most people will think we're crazy for spending so much on "fakes" to begin with.

was regretting spend the $300+ for the OEM strap.

you spent over $300?? sorry to break this to you but they retail new at boutiques for about $230 (mine cost $247 after exchange rate)
I saw that ebay listing where listed about the price you paid and did a bit more research and I found a post on rwg advising that a lot of people claim the strap for the 127 is rare and hence the price hike, but can be easily purchased from boutiques: "Retail is $230. Don't let the online resellers fool you into thinking they are rare and you can't buy them. Some places mark them up $100 OVER retail. Call up the NYC boutique, they should have them in stock."
https://rwg.cc/topic/114973-pam-127-original-strap