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KW strikes again! – KW PAM505 & PAM388 – Maybe the best Radiomir ever built
I received two weeks ago KW PAM 505 and PAM 388 from Kuvarsit.
I have worn for a week KW PAM 505 and another week KW PAM 388
They were two weeks of enjoying these watches and getting compliments.
These two watches are something different. They are even better made than KW PAM Boutique or PAM 312.
Yes, I know they have a display caseback and you can realize that the movement is not a P.9000.
The sapphire caseback crystal allows to see a Seagull ST2555 movement, 26 jewels 21.600 b.p.h, with rotor and bridges decorated almost with the same quality of the gen. This Seagull is so nicely decorated and having the balance wheel @6 (near to @7 like gen) sometimes you are thinking it is PAM movement. Besides, the nice darkened caseback crystal in PAM 505 helps to hide it is a rep.
These are the best PAM decorated movements I have seen.
I also know that KW PAM 505 is not, obviously, made of Composite, but the KW beadblasted and DLC coated SS has such a quality that you will forget the material. Leaving aside the weight you will realize that you are in front of a material that does not at all seem SS. I think that beadblasting process is no stranger to this success.
The case of KW PAM 505 has a smooth touch, it is like…“warmâ€, the uniformity of the surface is awesome and you will not find any flaw on it. The colour changes from black to a brown depending on light conditions. I would call this colour “warm†black. Nothing about red or green reflects that people were talking about. You will get impressed with the beauty of this colour.
PAM 388
The first time you see this watch you will notice the same that when you see a KW PAM Boutique or a KW PAM 312, you will think it is a gen.
The finish of the polished SS case surface is another step in rep quality. You will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp.
The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.
Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.
The dial of this watch, although it has date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt warm black surface and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment
Lume is first quality and has a nice greenish colour
You can see this slight greenish colour even on the light, and it contrast nicely with the creamish colour of RADIOMIR BLACKSEAL – PANERAI inscriptions on dial. These inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions
This slight greenish lume colour contrasting with creamish inscriptions seems to be a trend on new series of Panerais, this fashion has a very strong personality and the look is really nice (you can even see it in the new Submersible PAM 389).
Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen
Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.
Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen
The only warning for this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.
The rep strap has a good quality and the creamish stitching, matching the colour of inscriptions, looks really beautiful. Of course this watch deserves a better quality of strap, but you will be able living some time with rep strap without problems.
Buckle is also well finished as the case but the engraving is less deep than gen
PAM 505
Maybe, this is one of the best built replicas I have seen.
First time I saw the KW PAM 505 I didn’t believe the overall quality and finish of this watch. Even under the watchsmith lens you will get impressed by the quality of KW DLC surface and colour. I honestly cannot imagine that the gen can be better finished.
As above commented even the touch is perfect. I was very reluctant about these DLC coatings to replicate Composite or Ceramic materials. But seeing PAM 505 I had to change of opinion. We can get a real Composite or Ceramic appearance with a good beadblasting of the SS surface and a good quality DLC coating. And KW got it.
This watch is a different concept in rep quality. Please ask owners for their opinion. I have the same comments as PAM 388: you will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp. The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.
Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.
As above commented PAM 505 is fitted with a beautiful darkened caseback crystal which matches with the dark overall colour of the watch and helps to hide the rep movement, almost like a solid caseback.
The dial of this watch, although it gets date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt brown surface, the same colour as the case, and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment
Lume have a nice vintage creamish colour, but maybe due to that is weaker than PAM 388 lume
In PAM 505 dial there are no contrasts: dial surface is almost matt brown, all the rest: inscriptions, date wheel fonts and markers lume are vintage creamish. RADIOMIR BLACK SEAL – PANERAI inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions.
This lack of contrasts gives to PAM 505 an interesting and smart look, sporty but also classy, full of personality.
Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen
Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.
Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen
As in Pam 388, the only warning of this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually Radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.
The magnificent Asso rep strap has a very good quality and the stitching is even darker than lume and inscriptions, matching gen stitching colour of the gen 505 bought by Mehmet.
Buckle is also nicely DLC coated like the case but the engraving is less deep than gen. Gen PAM 505 buckle has a different hole shape to shelter the fixation screw which is carefully respected by the replica (nice detail).
With these two watches KW has achieved the gen finish and the accuracy together. Leaving aside the movement and the difference of material in PAM 505 we really have two Super reps.
But following our current evaluation criteria, since these watches have display caseback and you can tell the rep movement, we must evaluate them as First Class reps bordering the Super rep status. Bearing in mind that the rest of the watch is a complete Super replica.
As said in the title, Kuvarsit srikes again and has released the best built Radiomirs ever seen
Thanks for reading
ALE
I received two weeks ago KW PAM 505 and PAM 388 from Kuvarsit.
I have worn for a week KW PAM 505 and another week KW PAM 388
They were two weeks of enjoying these watches and getting compliments.
These two watches are something different. They are even better made than KW PAM Boutique or PAM 312.
Yes, I know they have a display caseback and you can realize that the movement is not a P.9000.
The sapphire caseback crystal allows to see a Seagull ST2555 movement, 26 jewels 21.600 b.p.h, with rotor and bridges decorated almost with the same quality of the gen. This Seagull is so nicely decorated and having the balance wheel @6 (near to @7 like gen) sometimes you are thinking it is PAM movement. Besides, the nice darkened caseback crystal in PAM 505 helps to hide it is a rep.
These are the best PAM decorated movements I have seen.
I also know that KW PAM 505 is not, obviously, made of Composite, but the KW beadblasted and DLC coated SS has such a quality that you will forget the material. Leaving aside the weight you will realize that you are in front of a material that does not at all seem SS. I think that beadblasting process is no stranger to this success.
The case of KW PAM 505 has a smooth touch, it is like…“warmâ€, the uniformity of the surface is awesome and you will not find any flaw on it. The colour changes from black to a brown depending on light conditions. I would call this colour “warm†black. Nothing about red or green reflects that people were talking about. You will get impressed with the beauty of this colour.
PAM 388
The first time you see this watch you will notice the same that when you see a KW PAM Boutique or a KW PAM 312, you will think it is a gen.
The finish of the polished SS case surface is another step in rep quality. You will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp.
The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.
Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.
The dial of this watch, although it has date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt warm black surface and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment
Lume is first quality and has a nice greenish colour
You can see this slight greenish colour even on the light, and it contrast nicely with the creamish colour of RADIOMIR BLACKSEAL – PANERAI inscriptions on dial. These inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions
This slight greenish lume colour contrasting with creamish inscriptions seems to be a trend on new series of Panerais, this fashion has a very strong personality and the look is really nice (you can even see it in the new Submersible PAM 389).
Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen
Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.
Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen
The only warning for this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.
The rep strap has a good quality and the creamish stitching, matching the colour of inscriptions, looks really beautiful. Of course this watch deserves a better quality of strap, but you will be able living some time with rep strap without problems.
Buckle is also well finished as the case but the engraving is less deep than gen
PAM 505
Maybe, this is one of the best built replicas I have seen.
First time I saw the KW PAM 505 I didn’t believe the overall quality and finish of this watch. Even under the watchsmith lens you will get impressed by the quality of KW DLC surface and colour. I honestly cannot imagine that the gen can be better finished.
As above commented even the touch is perfect. I was very reluctant about these DLC coatings to replicate Composite or Ceramic materials. But seeing PAM 505 I had to change of opinion. We can get a real Composite or Ceramic appearance with a good beadblasting of the SS surface and a good quality DLC coating. And KW got it.
This watch is a different concept in rep quality. Please ask owners for their opinion. I have the same comments as PAM 388: you will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp. The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.
Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.
As above commented PAM 505 is fitted with a beautiful darkened caseback crystal which matches with the dark overall colour of the watch and helps to hide the rep movement, almost like a solid caseback.
The dial of this watch, although it gets date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt brown surface, the same colour as the case, and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment
Lume have a nice vintage creamish colour, but maybe due to that is weaker than PAM 388 lume
In PAM 505 dial there are no contrasts: dial surface is almost matt brown, all the rest: inscriptions, date wheel fonts and markers lume are vintage creamish. RADIOMIR BLACK SEAL – PANERAI inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions.
This lack of contrasts gives to PAM 505 an interesting and smart look, sporty but also classy, full of personality.
Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen
Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.
Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen
As in Pam 388, the only warning of this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually Radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.
The magnificent Asso rep strap has a very good quality and the stitching is even darker than lume and inscriptions, matching gen stitching colour of the gen 505 bought by Mehmet.
Buckle is also nicely DLC coated like the case but the engraving is less deep than gen. Gen PAM 505 buckle has a different hole shape to shelter the fixation screw which is carefully respected by the replica (nice detail).
With these two watches KW has achieved the gen finish and the accuracy together. Leaving aside the movement and the difference of material in PAM 505 we really have two Super reps.
But following our current evaluation criteria, since these watches have display caseback and you can tell the rep movement, we must evaluate them as First Class reps bordering the Super rep status. Bearing in mind that the rest of the watch is a complete Super replica.
As said in the title, Kuvarsit srikes again and has released the best built Radiomirs ever seen
Thanks for reading
ALE
