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pam186 arktos GMT review.. ~modem burner~

azgjav

I'm Pretty Popular
17/3/06
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got the 186 from EL last week..great dealer with magnificent watches! i'm gonna review the arktos as a WATCH instead of a REP cause i don't have a gen watch to compare it to..

first impressions: what a huge chunk of metal! heavy and feels like a high quality watch.

case: by far one of the best cases i've ever seen..the case is pretty darn thick cause of the case back and the thicker bezel, really really chunky! the brushed finish is perfect! the finish is so mine that the case seems as tho it's "glowing" under some light conditions, simply amazing! it's as good as the brushed finish on the AP ROO Jumbo. the brushed finish is a dream to photograph, no worries about fingerprints, etc.

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bezel: the action of the bezel is sublime! the bezel turns smoothly, has absolutely no play at all and the ratched feels and sounds secure. bezel action feels better than my omega SMP chrono but not as nice as my seiko 171. the unidirectional bezel is designed in such a way that u can't turn the bezel anticlockwise even when u're inbetween the "clicks". the finish on the bezel is the same brushed finish as the case with polished sawtoothed edges. the raised NSEW is highly polished, even the sides are polished as well.

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dial and hands: dial and hands have the usual high quality finish, no marring, no dust, no scratches, etc..the lume on this watch is ~almost perfect! lume glows bright and lasts for 2-3 minutes. good for the "elevator effect". def a step up from the normal rep lume.

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crystal: sapphire with an oversized cyclops(bigger than the gen)..the mag is decent but seems smaller cause the cyclops is 1mm bigger than usual..

functionality: the gmt+compass bezel works like a dream! especially for me who's studying in adelaide. the city is organised in a square with N-S-E-W boundaries. so by setting the 24hr hand to gmt time, i can use the bezel to get my bearings pretty accurately. for those who doesn't know how to use a gmt hand to find ur bearings, it's worthwhile to do a quick search on google.

movement: hibeat asian7750 with gmt function. pretty good so far. :)

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overall: one heck of a watch for a very good price! the gmt function and bezel is ubber useful. gmt hand allows you to keep track of several timezones if u're willing to do a lil bit of math(hometime in sg is +8gmt, etc..) the bezel allows you to find ur bearing and is capable of keeping track of elapsed time like a normal dive bezel. on the wrist, the watch has tons of presence and the dull, sublime "glow" from the brushed finish is understated but coupled with the shine from the highly polished bezel markers, bezel edge and hands, keeps the watch looking like a million bucks!

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088+024+186..
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pamfried

Banned member, the goat does not approve
Banned
23/8/06
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Bloody GROSS.............................

You're killing me dude!!!!!!!!! My fav is the 92 Arktos, now seeing yours i'm tempted to take the plunge.

Only problem is how do i justify having two Arktos....... xcept this has the GMT function...

Is it gen sapphire? Is it AR coated?

Last question, have seen many discussions regarding the NSEW. Is the smaller, fatter version more like the gen or the flatter and wider looking NSEW????? Different people have sworn by each version so i'm still kinda confused....

And i've noticeed that the gen has black hands whereas yours are steel... do they have the black hands version?



Thanks!!
 

azgjav

I'm Pretty Popular
17/3/06
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http://www.visiotime.com/index.php?page ... il&id=1498

u'll have to decide for urself which one is more accurate. :) i personally prefer the markers on the new arktos gmt. i didn't get the pam92 arktos cause i don't quite like the smaller N on the bezel. tho i love the stealth look of it with the black hands. at the end of the day it's ur choice. :)

the hands on the gen arktos gmt is chromed, not black. so i've to say it's fairly accurate.

i've tested the xtal of mine with the beads test and it appears to be gen saphire. no AR coating tho..

as i've said, i'm reviewing the arktos as a watch, not a rep. partly cause i don't have a gen to comapre it to and partly cause i can't care less abt accuracy. it's not like i plan to pass it off as a gen; i hope that no one does.
 

Quarks

Known Member
16/3/06
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Excellent review azgjav! Always loved 186, always remembered the first time I laid my eyes on this watch in a magazine. A watch that exudes character and a very handsome watch as well. Been waiting for the rep for so long and when it finally arrived, I kinda held myself back. Not sure why, maybe because I already have a 092 with me and just to point out, the quality of 092 is definitely not comparable to the 186 you have there.

The NSEW bezel markers on this one is very accurate, almost the exact version on Neil's 092. Definitely cant go wrong there.

I'm lucky to have strapped on the gen arktos and let me tell ya, it is an effin' amazing timepiece. The dial jumps out at you. You could almost see the matte texture of the dial. Like with all other watches I have tried on, I did not want to take this one off. It sits very high on the wrist as the domed shaped caseback are constructed at a steep angle. The weight of the watch definitely made its presence felt.

Correct me if I am wrong, the caseback for this rep is wrong. The caseback should be the same as 092 and this caseback should be on the new Northpole release. Nevertheless, a beautiful watch I wish I could have so that I can relive the moment I placed the gen on my wrist. Wear it good health azgjav!! I am totally envious!!
 

azgjav

I'm Pretty Popular
17/3/06
1,063
6
0
Quarks said:
Excellent review azgjav! Always loved 186, always remembered the first time I laid my eyes on this watch in a magazine. A watch that exudes character and a very handsome watch as well. Been waiting for the rep for so long and when it finally arrived, I kinda held myself back. Not sure why, maybe because I already have a 092 with me and just to point out, the quality of 092 is definitely not comparable to the 186 you have there.

The NSEW bezel markers on this one is very accurate, almost the exact version on Neil's 092. Definitely cant go wrong there.

I'm lucky to have strapped on the gen arktos and let me tell ya, it is an effin' amazing timepiece. The dial jumps out at you. You could almost see the matte texture of the dial. Like with all other watches I have tried on, I did not want to take this one off. It sits very high on the wrist as the domed shaped caseback are constructed at a steep angle. The weight of the watch definitely made its presence felt.

Correct me if I am wrong, the caseback for this rep is wrong. The caseback should be the same as 092 and this caseback should be on the new Northpole release. Nevertheless, a beautiful watch I wish I could have so that I can relive the moment I placed the gen on my wrist. Wear it good health azgjav!! I am totally envious!!

yes, i agree that the 186 is a really handsome watch..which is why i bought the rep. :) the caseback is wrong, yes, but i seriously can't care less about accuracy on this watch cause everything else is just superb. the caseback is very domed and the arktos sits higher on the wrist than the 024. it's the only watch which i've banged against a door and hit the top of my drawer cause if it's height. that being said, it's by no means an uncomfortable time piece to wear. :) all i need is an ultra thick strap to balance the case.

i have to say that the recent reps are getting better in quality. a huge improvement from the reps we get last yr. the lume's getting better, the case work is heaps better and the finish is superb.

now, when will we get our pam194?? :)