Seamaster 300 Blue: A comprehensive comparison of GEN, VS, OR, ZF and AG

[DoctorStMoritz]

Got my QC pictures! I have already approved these pictures so I am only posting for the information of others. Here's one of the ZF.




I'm not concerned about the slightly tilted indice at 6, does not bother me as the 12 looks fine.

However, before the vendor found the ZF, I was offered a VSF, which had a similar flaw with a tilted indice at 6.



Still picked the ZF even though the rotor will be loud, but at least the crown guards will be good and the tube is higher quality than the VSF. Will report when I get the ZF, including a recording of the rotor noise.

Try to silence the rotor
Would change everything

 

[purple_slurp]

Try to silence the rotor
Would change everything

Do you think this is something even noobs can do themselves? Ive seen a few youtube videos which makes it look super easy, but i dont wanna risk breaking anything haha

 

[purple_slurp]

Overall comparison of Omega Seamaster 300m blue dial GEN, VS, OR, AG and ZF

God i love steve's comparisons. So informative!

 

[Caboose]

Do you think this is something even noobs can do themselves? Ive seen a few youtube videos which makes it look super easy, but i dont wanna risk breaking anything haha

Looks like you do need to repair some of the decoration to the movement with g-s hypo cement after to do the silencing, as it has to be removed to access the bearings.

 

[purple_slurp]

Looks like you do need to repair some of the decoration to the movement with g-s hypo cement after to do the silencing, as it has to be removed to access the bearings.

Oh right, so it's not as straightforward as it looks. Cheers for that, thats helpful information!

 

[brahmabull]

Thank you for putting this together. Was offered a GF factory made seamaster and decided to pass after reading through this. your photos and detail are incredible. Thanks again

 

[lost-cavalier]

Thank you for putting this together. Was offered a GF factory made seamaster and decided to pass after reading through this. your photos and detail are incredible. Thanks again

I never knew I wanted one until seeing the details pictures!

 

[lost-cavalier]

double post

 

[brahmabull]

Thank you for putting this together. Was offered a GF factory made seamaster and decided to pass after reading through this. your photos and detail are incredible. Thanks again

 

[christo14]

I ordered a ZF from PT but the watch looks really light blue in QC. No where near as dark as the pics on this thread. I posted these in another thread earlier but as this is specific to the blue SMP I'm posting here too. Feels like either ZF new batch is too light blue or this is another factory.

I have approved these QC based on other thread comments but any further comments are welcome.

 

[p0kiri]

alright... thank you to all who responded to my earlier post in this section.
as mentioned, i was tuning my eye for subtle differences in the movement. i read a lot but never got far without looking at a gen in my hand.


and, to those who are NEW/semi-noob here's the differences that could help you where to look

After much deliberation and research for the perfect daily SMP 300, I decided to create a list that shows all known flaws identified, with the three main contending factories being VSF (v2), ZF and ORF.

Since there is constant discussion on this forum around this subject and multiple threads, I thought I’d share the list here.

Hopefully this is the right place to share it.

Also, I tried to be as accurate as I could, feel free to add anything you feel important or that you disagree with and I will edit.

TLDR; there is no perfect SMP300 rep model. They all have there own flaws, some more obvious than others. You just need to work out which you are willing to deal with. General consensus I believe is to go with the ZF model (with lubricated movement to silence) and ORF bracelet.

this and if we could add few notes on the movement as well.

have been trying to fine tune my eye on the differences in the movement-- for my own study. so, thank you for all the responses on my other post.

here's what i noticed so far.

 

[dem135]

Wich have the best bracelet? For solidity

 

[Kup1712]

Wich have the best bracelet? For solidity

Orf/ new gof

 

[dem135]

Orf/ new gof

Thank u, for the next Summer i would buy a blue dial version

 

[Azera]

Engraved view of lugs​

The VS logo graphic is thinner.

In terms of lettering, the factories all use different lettering processes, so there will be some gaps, but the overall shape can still be seen clearly.

Strap Detail View

Lume View​

GEN's sticks lume is more green, the factory's is more blue. The color is still different.

Movement View​

All factory movements use Seagull 2824 to imitate the 8800 SMD movement.

The structure of the four factories is slightly different. OR, ZF use fewer patches and more similar with GEN

The most obvious place for VS is the lack of a screw on the balance wheel.

In terms of polishing, OR and ZF are better, and in terms of gem color, OR is closer to GE

Data Comparison​

Illustrate: All watches are in a clamped state, and there may be precision due to the slight deviation of the caliper position. GEN and factories have steel tape protective films.

Well, today's post is here, thank you guys for watching. If there are any mistakes, please correct me. If there is anything else I overlooked, you can put it up, and I will try my best to do it. Complementary and comprehensive, welcome to comment and exchange!

(Illustrate: Some photos deviate from the real object due to the problem of the light source. The details are mainly written in text. The size of the comparison picture is relatively large. You can download it and enlarge it for comparison.)


Any questions, please contact with us:

Website: https://www.theonewatches.io/

Email: [[Redacted due to phishing warnings]]@gmail.com

whatsapp: +86-17081934955

Wechat: The5711

steve

 

[Azera]

This post is a masterpiece, one of the best I have ever seen on RWI. None of my university lecturers ever made a comparison so meticulously comprehensive and flawless!

 

[Trebor88]

I don't know. VSF left a bad impression on me. I bought a black and blue VSF. The black one was great but I sold it after a month and a half because I liked the blue. The blue watch was just off. Gritty winding, 20+ winds before hands started moving. It will keep time for a bit then stop, then keep time again. It's pretty much dead. I'd swap a gen movement in but the crown or tube feel like they're about to strip so that would be pointless and getting another VSF that might have the crown strip issue would really bother me...... I've been looking to replace it for two yrs now and this ZF looks like it. I don't notice the yellow tint on the lume. None of that stuff bothers me nor does slight misalignment issues. I just want the things to work and have invisible crystals. If there is any glare I hate it. This thread is great and I will be getting it Steve that's for sure. Never bought from him before.

What gen movement do you swap?

 

[shinynewbling25]

What gen movement do you swap?

My understanding is it is a a decorated 2824 with some drop in replacements being Sellita SW200, Sea Gull ST2130, STP1-11, PT5000. possibly Peacock SL3000. I bought a PT5000 from aliexpress last month but haven't attempted anything yet as it also probably needs a crown or tube. Someone else could probably confirm. I just googled and found this thread on Reddit but that info is also probably in the giant seamaster thread I read a few years ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/comments/k0yq84

 

[Lagunax]

Very nice review.
So in recap, ZF first and VSF a close second if purchasing today.

 

[Got20Mate]

Just makes me wanna buy a blue ZF now!