RollyCR 0 Posted May 18, 2018 Just received a Panerai 438 black all ceramic rep from Mr. TimeZone earlier this week (and I was very happy with Mr. TimeZone except for a short delay in QC, overall transaction was three weeks from order to receipt and I paid in bitcoin). My friend has the genuine version and I've looked at this watch in a few authorized dealers. The watch is very close to the gen. There are small differences in the movement that you can see in the display back, but it's close enough. The only other "tell" is the slightly looser crown release. Still, I don't think most people, even watch people, would have any idea. Also, this model has now been discontinued by Panerai, with the dealers saying the bracelet is just too difficult to produce. Who knows what the real reason is, perhaps there just isn't enough demand. Genuine price is $14,400. I paid $380 at Mr. TimeZone. I took some pictures today with the rep next to my friend's genuine. These are terrible quality, the back side in particular, and I apologize. I will take better pictures next time I see him if you all want that. The rep is on the same side in all of the images. Guess which is which and I'll update after a few hours with the answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RollyCR 0 Posted May 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Lagger said: One on left rep? What make you guess the left one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_B 2,401 Posted May 18, 2018 Left? Movement looks better on the right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lagger 160 Posted May 18, 2018 Left looks brand new and like Mr B the movement looks better on the right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daffy 105 Posted May 18, 2018 Gen on the left. The date window hole is cleaner, just seems more gen-like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted May 18, 2018 I'll go with Daffy! Gen on the left; Better/Cleaner Font, The Power Reserve on the Back of the movement is Black and not Red as most Reps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luxuracer 14 Posted May 18, 2018 Rep on the right @Daffy @Nikosaldente ... you two go away ... I was here first! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luxuracer 14 Posted May 18, 2018 Oh .... BTW ... Gen (lelf) has better dial markers, better dw, better cg engraving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted May 18, 2018 Left has better ar... slightly... I had the rep a while was very nice can't remember why I let it go want again now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted May 18, 2018 I would say left is gen, end links seems to have a closer fit to the case... but damn, clearly not worth buying the gen ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RollyCR 0 Posted May 18, 2018 20 minutes ago, Genius said: Left has better ar... slightly... I had the rep a while was very nice can't remember why I let it go want again now Yeah it's a really nice watch. 44 mm so not too big for a Panerai. Totally different from anything else out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RollyCR 0 Posted May 19, 2018 So, yes, the one on the left is the genuine and the one on the right is the rep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperLory 59 Posted May 19, 2018 Am a big pam lover and this watch is sooo sleek it was always my fav. In photos.Then i bought the rep and...it’s freaking heavy, the 1950 case is bulky , AR is horrible, removing link is the ultimate PITA..Sold straight away.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RollyCR 0 Posted May 20, 2018 7 hours ago, SuperLory said: Am a big pam lover and this watch is sooo sleek it was always my fav. In photos. Then i bought the rep and...it’s freaking heavy, the 1950 case is bulky , AR is horrible, removing link is the ultimate PITA.. Sold straight away.. Yeah, I'm lucky it fits my wrist perfectly without removing any links. It doesn't seem particularly heavy for its weight though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted May 20, 2018 Thank you @RollyCR, I love to see Rep vs Gen threads Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mysterio 18 Posted May 20, 2018 @RollyCR thanks for the rep vs gen pictures. Too bad the secret has been revealed already (teaches me not to read the whole thread first ). The fit of the end links on the left are better compared to the watch on the right aside from the aforementioned smaller gaps in between the links. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_B 2,401 Posted May 20, 2018 No you have said the left is gen, the colour and SEL is much better, the rep is almost grey. Still really nice though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RollyCR 0 Posted May 20, 2018 16 hours ago, Mr_B said: No you have said the left is gen, the colour and SEL is much better, the rep is almost grey. Still really nice though. yes, the rep is definitely lighter colored, although it looks just fine when it's not next to the gen :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted July 3, 2018 (edited) Interested to know which version of the replica is... the VSF v2? is the one i bought and still waiting for the shipment The light difference in color could be the different angulation of the photos? I think the main difference is in the "texture" of the ceramic. It seems smoother on the gen and more "compact," like silk... is it true? Edited July 3, 2018 by Sgang Share this post Link to post Share on other sites