• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

Tankmust (medium) WSTA0041, comprehensive comparison of Gen, AF and K11

steve_theonewatches

Trusted Dealer
Trusted Dealer
27/6/16
765
2,260
93
Hello, guys. I'm Steve and I'm back.

We've been working on male models comparisons for a while now, until recently I realized that we hadn't done any female comparisons, so here it is. Although there are only two factories producing tanks, AF and K11, and most friends are familiar with the best options for this model, I think it's important to bring this comparison, after all, it is one of the few popular models for women. So without further ado, let's take a look at the current tank models available from the factory and see what they are really like.

9c30e512.jpg
6306a559.jpg

Dial front view

ea6399d9.jpg

View of the dial in natural light

c595c6fe.jpg
under lighting View

In fact, in terms of appearance alone, both factories have done such an excellent job that they have reached the point where it is hard to tell the real thing from the fake. At least when I compared the three watches side-by-side with their straps removed (I mixed up the three watches), I couldn't quickly tell which one was the GEN by the colour of the dial and the overall appearance, and that was my honest opinion. So which factory do you think is better?

0be8e61b.jpg
429052df.jpg
Side view of the Crystal

The mirror edges of the GEN are chamfered, the horizontal side is very well finished by both factories, very close to the GEN, but the vertical side is a little different.

bd42c29c.jpg
11209f7e.jpg
a37f261f.jpg
2900bbb0.jpg
e1b49873.jpg
d82df94c.jpg
bee45d54.jpg
4e20b9ff.jpg
79967926.jpg
944f06d4.jpg
debc4f75.jpg
653e0322.jpg

View of dail font stick

In fact, there is no difference between the two factories when you simply look at them with the naked eye, and it is easy to see from the macro photos in high definition that the K11's scales are not full enough, and there is hardly any sense of dimensionality.

In addition, the overall neatness and the placement of the strokes are relatively better in AF.

f1754ebc.jpg
30186d15.jpg

View of minute scale

In the printing process of the scale of the few minutes, AF is also better. The edge of the scale line of K11 is not regular, and the spill over is more worse. On the thicker minute scales such as 5 and 10, the K11 has an obvious stroke, the white lines are visible in the picture, and I think K11 has done this to compensate for the lack of dimensionality in the scale.
 
Last edited:

steve_theonewatches

Trusted Dealer
Trusted Dealer
27/6/16
765
2,260
93
e0236215.jpg
96e9942c.jpg
8306a0c1.jpg
b0a0fe63.jpg

View of dial oil font

The oil font on the dial is still better done by AF, although it is less full than GEN, but at least it has a certain sense of dimensionality, while K11 has none at all, and the colour of the letters is uneven, but it is not obvious to the naked eye.

05e0dbcd.jpg
08f2e19d.jpg


View of hands

The colour of the hands of both factories is very close to that of the GEN, but it is not always the same, as there is a colour difference.

The blue colour of both factories is brighter than that of the GEN when viewed from a down light perspective.


79a97354.jpg
ad5ca160.jpg
View of hands central

It is easy to see from the pictures that the centre of the K11 is not the same height as the GEN, which is slightly higher than the minute hand, while the K11 sinks very significantly, although the AF is in line with the GEN.

In addition to this, I also noticed a problem with the K11 by comparing it side by side, the rounded part of the hand is also slightly smaller compared to the GEN.

As for the AF, it's also not that perfect, the hands seem slightly thicker when viewed from the side, and that's just from the similarity aspect, actually, a thicker pointer is not a bad thing, what do you think?

702c4d52.jpg
ab7ef328.jpg
Side view of the crown

There is no significant difference in the shape of the crown between the two factories compared to the GEN, but the main difference is the brightness of the blue spinel, which is lacking in both factories, Comparatively speaking, the AF is brighter than the K11.

18f55854.jpg
36eebab4.jpg


689653a7.jpg
f95d025b.jpg

Side view of the case

As for the shape of the sides of the case, both factories are very good, and as for the nuances of the case diameters, you can see the comparative view of the data at the end of this article.

We can also see the screw holes on the side of the K11, which are a little smaller. The AF is the same as the GEN, and the screw slots are very flat and clean.

f15fd21c.jpg
5eba50a9.jpg
9866d34c.jpg

View of back case

In the first picture we can notice that the width of the beveled edge of the rear bottom cover of the K11 is noticeably narrower, the AF is slightly wider but at least it is within acceptable limits

In terms of the depth of the engraving, there is not much difference between the two factories.
 
Last edited:

steve_theonewatches

Trusted Dealer
Trusted Dealer
27/6/16
765
2,260
93
50f504aa.jpg
1fabf900.jpg
10077986.jpg
e7e6237c.jpg
f1715e26.jpg
Detail of the strap

The genuine product has a calfskin leather strap (with quick release), which doesn't feel particularly good in the hand. Just to clarify, as we purchased a second-hand GEN, we are not sure if the strap is original. Both the AF and the K11 have synchronised GEN straps, but the AF strap is a little thicker than the K11.

70fda030.jpg

View of the movement

The great thing about quartz models is that there is no worry about errors and there are virtually no after sales problems. So if it's a gift for your wife or a girlfriend, the quartz feminine model is definitely the first choice.

The AF and the K11 are both Swiss quartz movements, with different models, but there is no real difference, as they are both electronic anyway.

Although the movement is not visible in the case of the solid case back model, the K11 is to be commended for its internal slotted construction, which was made in parallel with the GEN, this is a very careful approach, while AF has omitted the reproduction of the internal structure, but this does not affect the overall similarity.

a50f5352.jpg
34f55929.jpg
08b059c9.jpg
55f997f7.jpg

Data comparison chart

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 complete it. Welcome to comment and exchange!

I will continue to bring you more detailed comparisons between replica watches and GEN’s. And it is also for you to choose the favorite models conveniently.

Illustration: Some photos deviate from the real object due to the light source. For details, please refer to the content. The size of the comparison picture is relatively large, you can download it and enlarge it for comparison.

Thanks.

There is no perfect replica, only the one you prefer.

Steve


Website: http://www.theonewatches.ws

Telegram: u/Theonewatches_steve

WhatsApp: + 86-17081934955

Wechat: The5711
 
Last edited:

WatchLover007

Getting To Know The Place
4/1/21
76
15
8
EU
If I could get AF with K11 internals, I would get one today. I know it doesn’t really matter and I know full well that I would never get around to it, but I would love to put a gen movement in there one day.
 

ralphoi

Hurricane Hublot
3/1/10
74
5
8
Thanks for a superb comparison Steve. The Tank is such a classic, for me, the AF definitely takes the win
 

HOHENSTAUFEN

Known Member
20/2/19
144
56
28
Sorry for the trivial question, but can anyone tell me the exact size of the clock handle and buckle?
 

Gaspacho

Active Member
24/5/23
220
243
43
EU
Already post this in the wrong thread...

Is this a k11? The stickers are different and do they come with straps stamped with "made in Austria"?



 

tick_tock

Getting To Know The Place
7/4/15
43
3
8
Hey, just wondering -- do either of these minute hands move like the gen? I haven't handled a real tank must, but from videos on YT, the tank must minute hand visibly ticks every 12-15 seconds. This is different from most secondless quartz movements (in my collection at least) in which the minute hand moves steadily.

If, not, wouldn't that be much more of a dead giveaway to anyone in the know? Seems like more important than microscopic dial printing detail or slight variance in shade of blued hands.

If K11 replicates this feature and AF doesn't, might be a consideration for K11. I see they've at least went to some lengths with the movement, but is it just cosmetic?
 
  • Like
Reactions: imabuddha

mhrboy

Renowned Member
Certified
13/4/21
607
197
43
Hey, just wondering -- do either of these minute hands move like the gen? I haven't handled a real tank must, but from videos on YT, the tank must minute hand visibly ticks every 12-15 seconds. This is different from most secondless quartz movements (in my collection at least) in which the minute hand moves steadily.

If, not, wouldn't that be much more of a dead giveaway to anyone in the know? Seems like more important than microscopic dial printing detail or slight variance in shade of blued hands.

If K11 replicates this feature and AF doesn't, might be a consideration for K11. I see they've at least went to some lengths with the movement, but is it just cosmetic?
I didn’t get your point, we are talking about a gen quartz watch and relative replicas. So in my opinion hands moves smoothly as quartz watch
 

tick_tock

Getting To Know The Place
7/4/15
43
3
8
As smoothly as a normal quartz watch, or as smoothly as the movement on cartier tanks? Which is too say, not smoothly at all. On gen tanks, the minute hand noticably jumps every 12-15 seconds. See this video around the 2:28 mark:

Whereas with other movements, in my experience, you don't even really see the minute hand moving (of course if the watch has a second hand, it has the tick -- but tanks don't have second hand).
 
  • Like
Reactions: imabuddha

dogwood

I'm Pretty Popular
Patron
Section Moderator
Certified
7/9/21
2,362
5,086
113
Canada
Thanks for the great comparison @steve_theonewatches it's great to have this level of comparison for ladies watches. I would love to see a comparison of the 33mm Cartier Ballon Blue if you ever have the opportunity. Keep up the great work!
 
  • Like
Reactions: imabuddha

imabuddha

Do not accept unsolicited offers
4/6/24
7
0
1
Japan
I'd also like to thank @steve_theonewatches for posting these comparison pictures. I'm currently looking for a large tank must, so it's helpful.

I'd really like to see a small update of the recent AF dial printing, specifically the Cartier logo. I've seen several QC pics around that don't look nearly as good as those you posted from a year ago.

I'd love a version that combined the best elements of the AF (general dial print & overall build quality) & K11 (better logo font big & tiny sig., inside caseback finishing & rubber gasket).

Is the F1 factory version of the tank must available? Does anyone know what happened to them?