- 19/2/13
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Wow, interesting read and wild photos. I wonder who spoke with ZFac and confirmed that some of the parts are plated to preserve the movement?
Just enough conspiracy to keep me away from the Bronzo for now.
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Z Fac 382 Bronzo appears (NOT) to have plated parts.... Updated
- Thread starter Jake48
- Start date
Wow, interesting read and wild photos. I wonder who spoke with ZFac and confirmed that some of the parts are plated to preserve the movement?
Just enough conspiracy to keep me away from the Bronzo for now.
Can try making a simple lightbox with a cardboard box to take pics, may help.
It's just hard to believe that ZF fac would use plating, they have a lot on the line in terms of rep to maintain. Maybe its their parts suppliers...
- 19/2/13
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I have had the funds set aside for one of two purchases.
Either pull the trigger on a package order from Sead: KW 346 and 504 and Promo 390 or the Bronzo (KW or Zfac)
The way i see it, I am in a no loose situation. :thumbsup:
There has been too much BS regarding to the ZF 382 as BMW said at least 100 across all threads!If you dont want to pay $500 for it, THEN DONT!!! stop shining and go to other reps such as AP and get your perfect 1:1 rep 
I think these are fair statements and I agree, but keep in mind I said it APPEARS there may be plated parts. I have cleaned the CG 3 times now and polished it once with Flitz. My experience with plating is that once it starts to wear through, it does not take much rubbing to see the worn off area expand. So far the silver area on my CG does not seem to be growing in size, so I am not convinced the part is in fact plated, but it sure does have the look of plating wearing off.
As I stated early, I am no metalurgist, but under a very close examination the area where the silver and bronze are side by side looks like two different types of alloy. I am beginning to wonder if a low grade or low quality bronze was used that it may have been possible to have not have thouroughly mixed the two alloy metals together. As bronze is a mixture of tin and copper, I wonder if the two alloys were not properly mixed, that the tin could show through and that is silver color I am seeing.
Hopefully one of the smart guys here can chime in....
OK I think we have it figured out! First, I would really like to thank PeteM over at RepGeek for his very informative and thoughtful post. To me, that is what the watch comunity should be about - the watches and trying to help each other with this hobby of ours.
I took two bits of information from Pete -
"And it may be this that is being seen from just a part (as in it may just be unfortunate rather than common place) due to many factors, batching, contaminants etc"
and
"Using a polish, oil or wax etc is only going to cover and/or polish the area of concern... You need to actually remove it not polish/buff it off... So either a nylon or cutting compound (not rouge!!) should take it back to that bronze colour..."
I then put his ideas into action. Not being one to go half way, I went all in. I was determined to find out once and for all if I had a plated part, a solid bronze part or something else. Looks like it was a little bit of something else...
I removed the CG and having become pretty good over the years at recreating the brushed finish of a Rolex bracelet with a Scotch Bright pad I went all in. I removed my CG and aggressively re-brushed the finish. The amount and force I used would have easily removed the best plating job. If the CG was solid, I reasoned, the bronze would come through the silver color I was seeing on my CG.
The result was very pleasing. The silver was completely removed and nothing but bronze showed. Using the information Pete provided I have to assume the Bronze Quality Control on this watch is probably not that of Panerai and some contaminants have become mixed in with the bronze alloys. My watch just happened to have some contaminants lurking just below the surface and when I cleaned the CG with ketchup and lemon juice it showed itself. Re-brushing the CG has obviously removed the surface contaminants and lucky for me, the bronze is now showing.
I will still keep an eye on it, but I am pretty confident the silver color on my CG was containments in the bronze alloy on the surface.
Again, I can't thank Pete enough! Here is what it looks like now:
I took two bits of information from Pete -
"And it may be this that is being seen from just a part (as in it may just be unfortunate rather than common place) due to many factors, batching, contaminants etc"
and
"Using a polish, oil or wax etc is only going to cover and/or polish the area of concern... You need to actually remove it not polish/buff it off... So either a nylon or cutting compound (not rouge!!) should take it back to that bronze colour..."
I then put his ideas into action. Not being one to go half way, I went all in. I was determined to find out once and for all if I had a plated part, a solid bronze part or something else. Looks like it was a little bit of something else...
I removed the CG and having become pretty good over the years at recreating the brushed finish of a Rolex bracelet with a Scotch Bright pad I went all in. I removed my CG and aggressively re-brushed the finish. The amount and force I used would have easily removed the best plating job. If the CG was solid, I reasoned, the bronze would come through the silver color I was seeing on my CG.
The result was very pleasing. The silver was completely removed and nothing but bronze showed. Using the information Pete provided I have to assume the Bronze Quality Control on this watch is probably not that of Panerai and some contaminants have become mixed in with the bronze alloys. My watch just happened to have some contaminants lurking just below the surface and when I cleaned the CG with ketchup and lemon juice it showed itself. Re-brushing the CG has obviously removed the surface contaminants and lucky for me, the bronze is now showing.
I will still keep an eye on it, but I am pretty confident the silver color on my CG was containments in the bronze alloy on the surface.
Again, I can't thank Pete enough! Here is what it looks like now:
rolexwatchfan
Respected Member
- 17/8/13
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Soon ppl are gonna complain the datewheel is pasted on or the movement goes dead in a few months unless u get it serviced.... Better gen a gen bronze like a helson or ancon
I've been buying and collecting reps for many years. So far I've rejected 3-4 of the z factory Bronzos. Misaligned dials, twisted bezel markers, bezel markers set too tall, poor finish, straps not wide enough, in general poor fit and finish. I am sure over the next few months all this will be resolved but for now I am backing out. I've redirected my funds to buy the new Fifty Fathoms. This will give time for the z factory to fix these issues and allow time for the Kuvarsit Bronzo to show itself. Few months time I will buy the best Bronzo available and better avoid a big disappointment.
Straps not wide enough ? :lol:
I don't know anyone who keeps that garbage on their watch , let alone make it a reason to refuse QC pics.
I don't know anyone who keeps that garbage on their watch , let alone make it a reason to refuse QC pics.
Did not reject the watch for narrow poorly fitted straps. It's one of many defects in the first version of what will probably be a very nice watch in a few months time. This watch is the classic example why it's unwise to buy any rep as soon as it comes out. That being said I will be getting the fifty fathoms but I've had an excellent track record with Noob watches.
rolexwatchfan
Respected Member
- 17/8/13
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