Ciao! Seems to me that a good review of the 915 is missing on the forum, possibly because it is a model that came later to the game and therefore it is not covered by the PAM guide or other resident experts in great extent.
In fact the 915 came out at end of 2019 (a V series) as a replacement for the 510. Only minor changes occurred from the previous model though:
We only have one rep factory reproducing the 915 and it is HWF, that rightfully is carrying the torch of the manual “historic” Panerai models alone in the rep industry. I received this specific 915 in early May from a TD and it should still be on stock more or less on any TD.
Overall, this is a very good watch, made of quality parts that were available from a long time and therefore are reliable. Case, movement, strap these components are solid and made to last. You should not be worried by the size of 44mm as the “Bettarini” case wears very well and fits under most of the shirts.
However, when we pass to examine how much the replica is similar to the original, we encounter many big and small flaws. In the following section, I will list the more evident flaws but also the things that are done well and those I am undecided about. But let me say that this list is not undermining the watch: I repeat, it is a good watch, it gives you the feeling of owning a Panerai, and it is almost impossible to tell that is a replica unless you have the watch in hand and can compare with a genuine.
Flaws:
Case:
We have here more than a mm in difference, 14,8mm thick vs 13,5mm, almost a 10% difference. The case is the “old” one used in the previous generation of Panerai “bettarinis” and was not updated to the new caseset introduced by Panerai in 2013 along with the new manifattura movements. That’s a pity because I think factories can achieve those 1mm less by reworking the case. Unitas and P.5000 have the same thickness after all.
Caseback:
series number Q (hell, why!?!) vs V, the only option for a caseback display 915. I would suggest (for an hypothetical V2) to change che CB to a solid one and to use a more recent series (Y specifically).
OP number wrong (6727 vs 7080). Easy fix
Movement:
balance wheel @11 vs @7. That is because the movement is not a clone but simply an A6467 with applied engraved plates.
the P.5000 calibre was redesigned in 2018, introducing important aesthetics changes (and the hack mechanism). Of course the HWF 915 has the wrong (previous) one that is correct for the 510 model until 2017.
Other smaller flaws as crispness of engraving, shape of balance bridges etc.
Note: all the above issues can be solved very easily with a closed Caseback Y series.
Dial:
shape of 2 and 6 too fat, 3 seems almost ok to me
position of L swiss made L relative to 6 off center
What they got right:
Strap:
good quality above average, even smells of leather, has correct stitching. The color of the stitching is cream, to match the indeces color. This is a clear improvement compared to earlier versions where the strap had wrong stitching (it was open missing the parallel to lugs part) and lower quality. It is the first time (except for rubber sub strap) that I kept the original strap on the watch.
Dial: Not a bad work here in my opinion.
Ocra indices spot on
Luminor Panerai / 8 giorni printing is ok
Hands: the three of them are correct in shape and color
Crown guard: outer round shape, inner square shape, roller tip, crown thickness
Where I am not sure:
If someone can verify the below points, I am undecided…
Bezel: It seems to me that it is too thick. Again it could be that this is the correct bezel for the 111 generation watches, but now it is thinner on gen.
CG pin and CG lever tip: they seems ok to me, but I know they are often discussed as flaws so any opinion is welcomed
Cannon pinion: again, very difficoult to tell only by pictures.
And now, onto the pictures. I tried my best to compare my own pictures (R=rep) with pictures of gen found on the web (G=gen).
Judge by yourself!
12 and top fonts:
3 and crown guard
6 and bottom font
Sideview case
Back and Movement
Thank you for looking!
In fact the 915 came out at end of 2019 (a V series) as a replacement for the 510. Only minor changes occurred from the previous model though:
- ocra indeces vs white/green,
- 8 giorni replacing 8 days on the dial,
- No more “Marina” on dial (from Luminor/Marina Panerai/8 days to Luminor/Panerai 8 giorni),
- Reinstating the sandwich dial (that disappeared from the 510 in later production)
- Different strap
We only have one rep factory reproducing the 915 and it is HWF, that rightfully is carrying the torch of the manual “historic” Panerai models alone in the rep industry. I received this specific 915 in early May from a TD and it should still be on stock more or less on any TD.
Overall, this is a very good watch, made of quality parts that were available from a long time and therefore are reliable. Case, movement, strap these components are solid and made to last. You should not be worried by the size of 44mm as the “Bettarini” case wears very well and fits under most of the shirts.
However, when we pass to examine how much the replica is similar to the original, we encounter many big and small flaws. In the following section, I will list the more evident flaws but also the things that are done well and those I am undecided about. But let me say that this list is not undermining the watch: I repeat, it is a good watch, it gives you the feeling of owning a Panerai, and it is almost impossible to tell that is a replica unless you have the watch in hand and can compare with a genuine.
Flaws:
Case:
We have here more than a mm in difference, 14,8mm thick vs 13,5mm, almost a 10% difference. The case is the “old” one used in the previous generation of Panerai “bettarinis” and was not updated to the new caseset introduced by Panerai in 2013 along with the new manifattura movements. That’s a pity because I think factories can achieve those 1mm less by reworking the case. Unitas and P.5000 have the same thickness after all.
Caseback:
series number Q (hell, why!?!) vs V, the only option for a caseback display 915. I would suggest (for an hypothetical V2) to change che CB to a solid one and to use a more recent series (Y specifically).
OP number wrong (6727 vs 7080). Easy fix
Movement:
balance wheel @11 vs @7. That is because the movement is not a clone but simply an A6467 with applied engraved plates.
the P.5000 calibre was redesigned in 2018, introducing important aesthetics changes (and the hack mechanism). Of course the HWF 915 has the wrong (previous) one that is correct for the 510 model until 2017.
Other smaller flaws as crispness of engraving, shape of balance bridges etc.
Note: all the above issues can be solved very easily with a closed Caseback Y series.
Dial:
shape of 2 and 6 too fat, 3 seems almost ok to me
position of L swiss made L relative to 6 off center
What they got right:
Strap:
good quality above average, even smells of leather, has correct stitching. The color of the stitching is cream, to match the indeces color. This is a clear improvement compared to earlier versions where the strap had wrong stitching (it was open missing the parallel to lugs part) and lower quality. It is the first time (except for rubber sub strap) that I kept the original strap on the watch.
Dial: Not a bad work here in my opinion.
Ocra indices spot on
Luminor Panerai / 8 giorni printing is ok
Hands: the three of them are correct in shape and color
Crown guard: outer round shape, inner square shape, roller tip, crown thickness
Where I am not sure:
If someone can verify the below points, I am undecided…
Bezel: It seems to me that it is too thick. Again it could be that this is the correct bezel for the 111 generation watches, but now it is thinner on gen.
CG pin and CG lever tip: they seems ok to me, but I know they are often discussed as flaws so any opinion is welcomed
Cannon pinion: again, very difficoult to tell only by pictures.
And now, onto the pictures. I tried my best to compare my own pictures (R=rep) with pictures of gen found on the web (G=gen).
Judge by yourself!
12 and top fonts:
3 and crown guard
6 and bottom font
Sideview case
Back and Movement
Thank you for looking!
