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

VSF PAM88

sukwonee

I'm Pretty Popular
7/9/11
2,027
6,464
113
PNW
johnlogan

I have a 288k from H-factory which is supposedly a super rep from the past, but I have to say from your pics, the overall quality and "well-made-Ness" factor seem much better on this VSF offering.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnlogan

johnlogan

Legendary Member
Certified
18/12/15
10,007
14,756
113
johnlogan

I have a 288k from H-factory which is supposedly a super rep from the past, but I have to say from your pics, the overall quality and "well-made-Ness" factor seem much better on this VSF offering.

I agree this 88 look great.
 

sukwonee

I'm Pretty Popular
7/9/11
2,027
6,464
113
PNW
I agree this 88 look great.

BTW, I tried capecodding brushed metal before and while it didn't ruin the metal, it didn't quite..... get polished lol. I am usually very bad at these things so maybe it will work better for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnlogan

KOT1917

Respected Member
Section Moderator
26/7/19
3,389
5,501
113
Russian federation
BTW, I tried capecodding brushed metal before and while it didn't ruin the metal, it didn't quite..... get polished lol. I am usually very bad at these things so maybe it will work better for you.

There are guides on this in the repair section. In short, it will not be possible to recreate the factory polish by hand. But you can make it "shiny".
Of course, this depends on many factors, and most importantly, the surface area.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sukwonee

ebzen02

Respected Member
12/4/10
3,015
2,081
113
I’d don’t care about the brushed Cg.. hell one could have had it replaced to a modern Cg..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

johnlogan

Legendary Member
Certified
18/12/15
10,007
14,756
113
BTW, I tried capecodding brushed metal before and while it didn't ruin the metal, it didn't quite..... get polished lol. I am usually very bad at these things so maybe it will work better for you.

After dwelling on it a bit I’m afraid to get a half ass result. I.e I might just go with the brushed CG until I find a replacement on eBay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KOT1917

jonnybaws

I'm Pretty Popular
30/5/14
2,823
3,300
113
Aye, if it bothers me that much, I doubt it will, I'll either buy an after market CG or get one from V2 of this, if VSF produce a V2... movement doesn't bother me, I don't really need/use a GMT function!
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnlogan

mysterio

Mythical Poster
Advisor
19/8/08
9,794
864
0
There are guides on this in the repair section. In short, it will not be possible to recreate the factory polish by hand. But you can make it "shiny".
Of course, this depends on many factors, and most importantly, the surface area.

Well usually polishing with cape cod is reserved for buffing out scratches on polished surfaces. Although one can think of a brushed surface as having many uniformly done scratches, it would be very difficult if not impossible to replicate factory polishing with only cape cod and some elbow grease.
 

KOT1917

Respected Member
Section Moderator
26/7/19
3,389
5,501
113
Russian federation
Well usually polishing with cape cod is reserved for buffing out scratches on polished surfaces. Although one can think of a brushed surface as having many uniformly done scratches, it would be very difficult if not impossible to replicate factory polishing with only cape cod and some elbow grease.

Yes, of course, it depends, first of all, on the depth and thickness of the satin "scratches". Also, of course, capecode seems to be not the best way, not invented for this, but nevertheless, it is quite common material. I polished the fully satinized case with a goi-paste baby cloth, but the result was mediocre. The watch was polished, but a lot of effort was spent and the polishing was little cloudy.

However, I am sure that, as I said, in the corresponding section there is clearly enough more complete topics for those wishing to try, but I would call this situation a choice between good satin finish and bad polish, in which of two evils, I would choose the former.
 

seafoam

Active Member
20/9/09
216
122
43
Ok really disappointed about the movement situation! I emailed Trusty to see if i can return the watch. I should have known. The movement looks nothing like a 7750! WTF VSF????!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Replisimio

Blshh

Renowned Member
2/6/19
527
780
93
Just share my experience. I had pam531 which GMT function also like Pam88 12 hours instead of 24 hours . Returned to tb Trust dealer and exchange to pam441 ceramic. Top up the remaining balance.
 

Genera74

Active Member
29/12/14
379
91
28
Was very excited about this release. then 12hr GMT kills it for me. Oh well at least 1313 is still a good release
 

mysterio

Mythical Poster
Advisor
19/8/08
9,794
864
0
Yes, of course, it depends, first of all, on the depth and thickness of the satin "scratches". Also, of course, capecode seems to be not the best way, not invented for this, but nevertheless, it is quite common material. I polished the fully satinized case with a goi-paste baby cloth, but the result was mediocre. The watch was polished, but a lot of effort was spent and the polishing was little cloudy.

However, I am sure that, as I said, in the corresponding section there is clearly enough more complete topics for those wishing to try, but I would call this situation a choice between good satin finish and bad polish, in which of two evils, I would choose the former.

If you can find a rep-friendly watchsmith who can do the polishing, it can probably be done at the cost of 2 cape cod. There was one near me and although I did not experience it first hand, a friend got his scratched up watch re-polished and it looked good as new for $20. He could probably turn a brushed finish polished for the same price although 1) i don't have a watch that I want to turn from brushed to polished and 2) either the smith is closed because of the pandemic or he closed up permanently.

If not and only the CG is the concern, cheaper to buy an aftermarket polished CG.
 

KSwatches

Trusted Dealer
29/11/18
1,374
1,484
0
Noob vs VSF

daf63560aae246c306919b096ca8de58.jpg

ab55aed53779b15b32c219641b2b4ec9.jpg
 

KSwatches

Trusted Dealer
29/11/18
1,374
1,484
0
Crystal:
Vsf crystal clarity is very good. Almost disappears at some angles. Noob is very milky.
3abf1e42f92f543d2e8a1f56324da995.jpg

d1e1cad89c6a33b41f5e71887c71d1d5.jpg



Caseback:
Noob engravings are deeper and more crisp. Vsf engravings look lower quality
9f476ec83cd433400a23df190cc169bf.jpg



CG side profile:

VSF (Satin brushed):
df6e98cf5978e889ea584cd648f89fb6.jpg


Noob: high polish
e11ef242f6dae5bed7d34a3a6466f1cb.jpg






Overall:
SDs

7cc60604465047c3214f75f0f4b2f9cf.jpg
 

Replisimio

I'm Pretty Popular
3/12/20
1,131
1,122
0
Gods own country! Yorkshire.
The watch looks really nice and your pics are great bud but the watch is a joke and takes the the piss out of us with a 24hr hand that doesn’t function correctly. Not seen nonsense like this for over 15 years! Sorry!
They don’t deserve to sell any but there are lots of mugs out there with a desperate need to empty their pockets lol.
Rant over. Might have to buy one haha!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KSwatches

Twinny

I'm Pretty Popular
Supporter
Certified
17/11/18
1,018
1,262
113
EU
The cg and the 12hr GMT are not the only flaws. In my opinion the surface of the subdial is also false. The gen is chequered (?). See pics:

 
  • Like
Reactions: sukwonee

mrsullivan

Pink Replicaddict
Staff member
Moderator Sales
Certified
18/8/19
8,093
16,886
113
EU
Well, the old Noob polished CG was pretty bad on this example as well when it comes to the lever, polishing is off.

Of course that does not take the VSF's new version flaws off, but tells us we don't have any properly good version as today.

Envoyé de mon ELE-L29 en utilisant Tapatalk