Another ZF fan here. My ZF has curved spring bars which is why the rubber strap looks oval. I'm going to put on regular straight spring bars on it.
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Seamaster 300 Blue: A comprehensive comparison of GEN, VS, OR, ZF and AG
- Thread starter steve_theonewatches
- Start date
The ZF looks really good in this photo. How would you rate the rubber strap on the ZF? Is it soft and flexible and does it smell after a few weeks on the wrist?ZF vs. Gen - a really nice close call. Rubber even nicer/softer on ZF than on Gen. Re. any misalignment: have in mind that most pictures (even the QC pics from TDs) are taken marginal edge-sided and typically by hand - in reality/looking straight on the watch you have far less misalignment (and without magnification even less recognizable). I am not saying that there are not some badly misaligned examples - just saying that the picture analyzes often does mislead do to marginal edge-wise pictures (for example the 6'o clock and 30' below looks quite misaligned on the first pic and less on the second pic; but also the second pic was done by hand, so also not as professional as it could be - and in reality it looks nicely spot-on on the wrist)
Zf rubber is super soft and durable. No smell when new (like cheap plastic/rubber) and no smell after some wear.
Con: if you look closer the two lines don’t look like gen (vsf looks gen like)…you don’t see it from 10cm+
Con: if you look closer the two lines don’t look like gen (vsf looks gen like)…you don’t see it from 10cm+
Hop3
Getting To Know The Place
- 1/11/21
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the ZF has a little bit a rubber smell/not a bad smell but a little bit stronger than the Gen rubber. ZF is also more soft and flexible as the Gen (again just a little bit, not much and the biggest advantage of the advanced flexibility is when you have to close the strap; when wearing I really don't notice the difference and color-wise the ZF strap is a tiny little bit less intensive/Gen strap has a little bit a darker blue. Can't speek about long time experience /smell after weeks on the wrist (I flip wearing just to frequently)
Teamjlf
I'm Pretty Popular
I’d still prefer rotor noise to wrong shape crown guards on case and crown and tube stripping issues on VSF.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm a bit weary of rubber strap. Had a motogp tissot watch on rubber strap and it starts to stink after 5 times usage.
solomonkane
Getting To Know The Place
- 13/5/13
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Depends. Even gen SMP300s and VSFs have issues with the 6 o clock marker. I've seen a few with the markers either shifted left or right (I saw it in person, not in photos).ZF is my favorite though they have a tendency to mess up 6 hour marker:
I rejected my last QC for the same reason.
My ZF doesn't have that issue with the 6 o clock marker. 12 o clock marker is VERY slightly misplaced on mine (only noticeable in zoomed photos).
You have every right to reject a near-perfect watch, because at the end of the day it's your money and your call.ZF is my favorite though they have a tendency to mess up 6 hour marker:
I rejected my last QC for the same reason.
Just be aware that 95% of people on RWI will disagree with you, because they feel that this is what increases prices unnecessarily for everyone else.... Namely rejecting a rep watch that has a misalignment to a degree well below generally-accepted minimum Swiss horological industry standards.
Just go on Watchuseek's Omega section, search for misaligned dials and be simply blown away by crooked markers on gen SMPs that make this look like tranquilizing and mind relaxing anti-OCD-treatment material in comparison.
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You have every right to reject a near-perfect watch, because at the end of the day it's your money and your call.
Just be aware that 95% of people on RWI will disagree with you, because they feel that this is what increases prices unnecessarily for everyone else.... Namely rejecting a rep watch that has a misalignment to a degree well below generally-accepted minimum Swiss horological industry standards.
Just go on Watchuseek's Omega section, search for misaligned dials and be simply blown away by crooked markers on gen SMPs that make this look like tranquilizing and mind relaxing anti-OCD-treatment material in comparison.
And also consider the following... @daytona4me absolutely nailed it! It's actually kinda crazy, if you think about it, to reject a watch over something minuscule like this in the current "raid climate":
Most factories are closed for raid
Just got news about this. Memebers might be better off holding on to orders from TD for now.
forum.replica-watch.info
- 4/3/06
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ZF is my favorite though they have a tendency to mess up 6 hour marker:
I rejected my last QC for the same reason.
You rejected this watch? Are you freaking serious?
This has gotten so freaking out of hand.
@eBoy , even without the raids, this is crazy.
- 9/7/17
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solomonkane
Getting To Know The Place
- 13/5/13
- 72
- 89
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Well I didn't reject that particular watch, that was a screen I took from the OP's comparison photos which clearly shows only the ZF has this issue:
I've seen other ZFs that has the same problem so I was merely pointing out the recurring issue. I've also seen Zf Seamasters with perfectly aligned markers so if there's a chance to score a decent one, I'd rather not to settle with a crooked marker that will bug me later. I didn't even flat out reject the watch by the way, I pointed out the issue, asked my options and Lana was so nice to offer me a replacement.
ZF isn't the only one that has these issues. VSF does too. As well as gens. I've seen four gen SMP300s at an AD and OB that had issues. Three of them had the 6 o clock marker shifted to the left. One has it shifted to the right. Others had it perfect. Same with speedy '57s and ATs with datewheel issues.Well I didn't reject that particular watch, that was a screen I took from the OP's comparison photos which clearly shows only the ZF has this issue:
I've seen other ZFs that has the same problem so I was merely pointing out the recurring issue. I've also seen Zf Seamasters with perfectly aligned markers so if there's a chance to score a decent one, I'd rather not to settle with a crooked marker that will bug me later. I didn't even flat out reject the watch by the way, I pointed out the issue, asked my options and Lana was so nice to offer me a replacement.
These minute things aren't noticeable on the wrist. It's only us rep enthusiasts looking at zoomed photos who notice these things. On the wrist you wouldn't even know if the marker was tilted, logo had a slight tilt etc.
But like they say. In the end it's up to you. Whatever makes you happy.
solomonkane
Getting To Know The Place
- 13/5/13
- 72
- 89
- 18
No argument there
Though if there's chance to get one with aligned markers I'll take it.
spaceman007
Active Member
- 5/1/22
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I have a gen that is unworn and I've been thinking about selling it off. Is ZF that close to the gen?ZF vs. Gen - a really nice close call. Rubber even nicer/softer on ZF than on Gen. Re. any misalignment: have in mind that most pictures (even the QC pics from TDs) are taken marginal edge-sided and typically by hand - in reality/looking straight on the watch you have far less misalignment (and without magnification even less recognizable). I am not saying that there are not some badly misaligned examples - just saying that the picture analyzes often does mislead do to marginal edge-wise pictures (for example the 6'o clock and 30' below looks quite misaligned on the first pic and less on the second pic; but also the second pic was done by hand, so also not as professional as it could be - and in reality it looks nicely spot-on on the wrist)
It is. Surprisingly close. I've compared my ZF green to a gen side by side and it's shockingly close.
hi @spaceman007 - they are close; I can only speak for the blue-ones: the blue color (dial, brezel, strap) of the Gen is a little bit more intensive/ZF looks a tiny little bit more pale. Also the hour and minute hands are a little bit different/more pale on the ZF. When I show both to friends they are at first speak-less, but after a while of comparing they pick the right one as the Gen by guessing that this more intensive/deeper color must be the Gen. You need to play with light conditions to recognize it, nothing you can see quickly at a first glance or on the wrist as overall quality seems excellent by both. But movement wise Gen beats ZF clearly: my Gen is rotor-wise as silent as I expect from a watch in this class (fingers crossed that this will stay this way) whereas the ZF rotor is audible (I have read that people can make it more silent - but haven't tried anything); not to forget that the Gen Co-Axial movement should be far more robust (shock resistent etc). Personally, I wear and favor the SMP Gen over the ZF and I notice/appreciate the difference - but just my2cent: I also think a Gen Omega SMP is not a real valuable collector item for keeping unworn in the box (like e.g. some R...x models) ... likely I would not keep a SMP Gen when I wouldn't wear it ...