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Panerai Assolutamente rep vs OEM comparison

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bluffer843

Renowned Member
21/10/10
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I wanted to give back to this site so here is a little comparison between the OEM and rep Assolutamente straps.These are both for the radiomir line. I am actually quite impressed with the rep strap and i have a suggestion on how to fix the biggest tell. Forgive any spelling errors. Anyway lets begin:

The OEM strap is the darker one and the lighter strap with the buckle is rep unless noted.
IMAG0132.jpg

IMAG0133.jpg

IMAG0134.jpg

First think to notice is that as expected, the OEM stitch spacing is more uniform. It is more noticable around the corners and ends
IMAG0141.jpg

the OEM stitching is straighter and there is no glue showing where the top leather is connected to the darker bottom piece. The rep thread used in the stitching has more of shine to it but it is hard to see
IMAG0142.jpg

Next, you can notice that the rep printing is pressed deeper into the backside (wrist facing side) of the strap and the lettering is slightly larger. Not bad though IMO. The rep strap backside also is glossier while the OEM is more matte. The OEM has more of deeper and less uniform grain to it as well
IMAG0136.jpg

the same differences listed regarding the pic above can be seen here as well plus a differences in the stitching location. The OEM single stitch is closer to the buckle end and does not go as deep into the center of the strap as the rep.
IMAG0144.jpg

An easy fixable tell IMO is the extra glue around the tube holes. The OEM does not have any glue, so i would think about using a razor to remove the glue and apply some olive oil to darken the newly exposed side to make the color match.
IMAG0140.jpg

The OEM catchers have slightly deeper grooves
IMAG0154.jpg

another close up of the backsides, OEM on bottom
IMAG0152.jpg

The Rep strap is slightly heavier 11 g vs Rep 10 g
IMAG0147.jpg

IMAG0146.jpg

Here is the OEM on my 380. It matches my Johnston and Murphy money clip! lol
IMAG0151.jpg

IMAG0153.jpg

I am not an expert but these are my notes I took, I hope you guys enjoyed it!
 
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Xtian

Renowned Member
13/4/12
715
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Two thumbs up for taking the time. I had learned a lot from this comparison. Thanks very much. Couple of things if I may, the stitching on the back keeper of the gen is positioned where both ends meet in the mid part of the thread. Another observation and honestly don't know what it represents are the "CQC" on the back part before the buckle on the gen and the "CQB" on the rep. As far as matching the gen's texture of the strap, it could very well be a time factor or do we know anyone that has used form of lotion to match?

The rep asso was my favorite strap and this thread(pun intended) just convinced me to source for one:frusty:
 
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chromed.

I'm Pretty Popular
26/5/10
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nice&very informative! still prefer the rep asso colour then the gen :D

just a question, which version of rep asso is this.?
 
ALE7575

ALE7575

Section Mod
Section Moderator
Certified
18/1/11
19,846
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Hi bluffer
Many thanks for this interesting review and info
Very comprehensive and useful
Since we have already two reviews today about straps I will try to include them in the PAM GUIDE Strap Section.
ALE
 
ALE7575

ALE7575

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G30

G30

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+1. Had always been curious about the A$$ strap.

Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Rogerthat

Renowned Member
6/11/06
919
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Strangely enough I just received today a brand new model 2012 Gen OEM asso strap (they updated the size, so I know it is brand new)
and I also have one from last year and have owned multiple different rep versions.

The new 2012 color and overall look makes the rep look better than previous.
The color of the strap is lighter, backside stampings are now more defined, on the backside the pattern is more subtle, etc...
Definitely makes it tougher to spot now, you have to look at the finer details the OP pointed out which still hold true.
Keepers, glue on backside where front meets back, lug screw holes, etc...
Other than I think all of the new 2012 are now 125/75 instead of 115/75 and I don't think they make a rep 125/75
 
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thran

Active Member
9/7/12
350
0
16
Rogerthat said:
Strangely enough I just received today a brand new model 2012 Gen OEM asso strap (they updated the size, so I know it is brand new)
and I also have one from last year and have owned multiple different rep versions.

The new 2012 color and overall look makes the rep look better than previous.
The color of the strap is lighter, backside stampings are now more defined, on the backside the pattern is more subtle, etc...
Definitely makes it tougher to spot now, you have to look at the finer details the OP pointed out which still hold true.
Keepers, glue on backside where front meets back, lug screw holes, etc...
Other than I think all of the new 2012 are now 125/75 instead of 115/75 and I don't think they make a rep 125/75
Click to expand...

I wonder how long it will take them to fix that and make the rep in 125/75
 
S

Sultan Brunei

I'm Pretty Popular
17/11/12
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what kind of olive oil should I apply? Is it olive oil like the one you buy from supermarket? the one people use to cook...? :D

what is the function of applying lotion to it ?
 
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tootall

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2/5/06
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Sultan Brunei said:
what kind of olive oil should I apply? Is it olive oil like the one you buy from supermarket? the one people use to cook...? :D

what is the function of applying lotion to it ?
Click to expand...

First off, I would never put olive oil on leather. It can become rancid and gunky. Use a quality leather conditioner/dressing like Lexol or Pecards.

Secondly, what are you trying to accomplish by "oiling" it? If the strap you have looks good to you now, there is no need to do anything. It will patina naturally. Well it will patina as much as crappy leather can patina.

If you are trying to replicate the gen's color, then yes a leather dressing would help. But at the end of the day it's still crappy leather on a machine made strap, that was more than likely put together in haste.
 
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tootall

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Sultan Brunei said:
what do you actually mean with patina ?
Click to expand...

I mean it will change in color over time due to the oils of your skin and oxidation. Most of the time a patina is not uniform in happening, so it brings out the character of each strap individually.
 
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lascaux

Known Member
7/12/12
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How about a genuine leather asso? Is that still considered a rep asso or is it a step higher?
 
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