KW strikes again!–KW PAM505 & PAM388–Maybe the best Radiomir ever built

[ALE7575 24]

KW strikes again! – KW PAM505 & PAM388 – Maybe the best Radiomir ever built

 

I received two weeks ago KW PAM 505 and PAM 388 from Kuvarsit.

I have worn for a week KW PAM 505 and another week KW PAM 388

They were two weeks of enjoying these watches and getting compliments.

These two watches are something different. They are even better made than KW PAM Boutique or PAM 312.

 

 

 

Yes, I know they have a display caseback and you can realize that the movement is not a P.9000.

The sapphire caseback crystal allows to see a Seagull ST2555 movement, 26 jewels 21.600 b.p.h, with rotor and bridges decorated almost with the same quality of the gen. This Seagull is so nicely decorated and having the balance wheel @6 (near to @7 like gen) sometimes you are thinking it is PAM movement. Besides, the nice darkened caseback crystal in PAM 505 helps to hide it is a rep.

These are the best PAM decorated movements I have seen.

 

 

 

I also know that KW PAM 505 is not, obviously, made of Composite, but the KW beadblasted and DLC coated SS has such a quality that you will forget the material. Leaving aside the weight you will realize that you are in front of a material that does not at all seem SS. I think that beadblasting process is no stranger to this success.

The case of KW PAM 505 has a smooth touch, it is like…“warm”, the uniformity of the surface is awesome and you will not find any flaw on it. The colour changes from black to a brown depending on light conditions. I would call this colour “warm” black. Nothing about red or green reflects that people were talking about. You will get impressed with the beauty of this colour.

 

 

 

PAM 388

The first time you see this watch you will notice the same that when you see a KW PAM Boutique or a KW PAM 312, you will think it is a gen.

The finish of the polished SS case surface is another step in rep quality. You will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp.

The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.

 

 

Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.

 

 

The dial of this watch, although it has date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt warm black surface and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment

Lume is first quality and has a nice greenish colour

You can see this slight greenish colour even on the light, and it contrast nicely with the creamish colour of RADIOMIR BLACKSEAL – PANERAI inscriptions on dial. These inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions

This slight greenish lume colour contrasting with creamish inscriptions seems to be a trend on new series of Panerais, this fashion has a very strong personality and the look is really nice (you can even see it in the new Submersible PAM 389).

Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen

Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.

Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen

The only warning for this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.

 

 

The rep strap has a good quality and the creamish stitching, matching the colour of inscriptions, looks really beautiful. Of course this watch deserves a better quality of strap, but you will be able living some time with rep strap without problems.

Buckle is also well finished as the case but the engraving is less deep than gen

 

 

 

PAM 505

Maybe, this is one of the best built replicas I have seen.

First time I saw the KW PAM 505 I didn’t believe the overall quality and finish of this watch. Even under the watchsmith lens you will get impressed by the quality of KW DLC surface and colour. I honestly cannot imagine that the gen can be better finished.

As above commented even the touch is perfect. I was very reluctant about these DLC coatings to replicate Composite or Ceramic materials. But seeing PAM 505 I had to change of opinion. We can get a real Composite or Ceramic appearance with a good beadblasting of the SS surface and a good quality DLC coating. And KW got it.

This watch is a different concept in rep quality. Please ask owners for their opinion. I have the same comments as PAM 388: you will not find any flaw, lack of uniformity or warped zones. Edges are well defined and sharp. The crown has a logo perfectly engraved, even under the lens.

 

 

Caseback is the same as the rest of the case, no lack of care, it is the same finish that you have in the front case and the engravings are crisp and deep like gen.

 

 

As above commented PAM 505 is fitted with a beautiful darkened caseback crystal which matches with the dark overall colour of the watch and helps to hide the rep movement, almost like a solid caseback.

 

 

The dial of this watch, although it gets date window and seconds subdial @9 is simple and smart. It features a nice almost matt brown surface, the same colour as the case, and the cuts for sandwich markers are very well finished (no flaws). The quality of dial surface finish is achieved through a microblasted treatment

Lume have a nice vintage creamish colour, but maybe due to that is weaker than PAM 388 lume

In PAM 505 dial there are no contrasts: dial surface is almost matt brown, all the rest: inscriptions, date wheel fonts and markers lume are vintage creamish. RADIOMIR BLACK SEAL – PANERAI inscriptions are raised and almost matt like gen. The quality of inscriptions is perfect even under the lens. Date wheel fonts are a bit smaller than gen and are raised and creamish matching other inscriptions.

This lack of contrasts gives to PAM 505 an interesting and smart look, sporty but also classy, full of personality.

Cannon pinion end is well placed and perfectly polished like gen

Hands have good finish but lume is clearly wider than gen.

Crystal is high quality sapphire AR coated colourless following Swiss Standards like gen

As in Pam 388, the only warning of this case are the screws to fix the lug wires to hold the strap. Usually Radiomirs are very delicate at this regard, but KW 505 and 388 need specially care regarding these screws. You have to use a good quality watchsmith screwdriver of 1,6mm and be careful with the alignment between screw and screwdriver, pushing gently the screw when you are loosening or tightening them.

 

 

The magnificent Asso rep strap has a very good quality and the stitching is even darker than lume and inscriptions, matching gen stitching colour of the gen 505 bought by Mehmet.

Buckle is also nicely DLC coated like the case but the engraving is less deep than gen. Gen PAM 505 buckle has a different hole shape to shelter the fixation screw which is carefully respected by the replica (nice detail).

 

 

With these two watches KW has achieved the gen finish and the accuracy together. Leaving aside the movement and the difference of material in PAM 505 we really have two Super reps.

But following our current evaluation criteria, since these watches have display caseback and you can tell the rep movement, we must evaluate them as First Class reps bordering the Super rep status. Bearing in mind that the rest of the watch is a complete Super replica.

As said in the title, Kuvarsit srikes again and has released the best built Radiomirs ever seen

 

Thanks for reading

ALE

[gecko0 0]

Great review! Both of those are beauties...congrats! I'm anxiously waiting for my first Pam to arrive, a 111. If it is even close to these in sexiness, I'll be very happy.

[ALE7575 24]

Great review! Both of those are beauties...congrats! I'm anxiously waiting for my first Pam to arrive, a 111. If it is even close to these in sexiness, I'll be very happy.

 

Many thanks for your comments

 

Be sure you will not get disappointed with your PAM 111. It is one of the best replicas

 

ALE

[cogwatch 1]

Awesome review as usual ALE!!! Thanks for your incredible contribution to this rep world of ours.

 

You had pointed me to the 505 and 388 (among others) a couple of weeks ago, so I went to your RWI Pam Reference to check them out and I couldn't find the 388. I looked again just now and still didn't see it. Am I missing it somehow, or is the 388 not there?

 

Cheers, and I look forward to your next review :-)

 

 

[kjb1 0]

Great write up

 

going to check them out now

Edited September 14, 2013 by kjb1

[LightGeek 25]

These are definitely both awesome! I kept the 505 as the 388 was just too shiny (read: blingy) for my taste. Plus, the "smoked" display back on the 505 is neat

 

My only question is, does the new 386 equal in quality to the 505? I'm looking to keep either of those as my "final" and only PAM.

 

[digger2 0]

Great review thank you ALE

[opus9 0]

That's it I buying a 388. That watch is the canine gonads. Are they expensive how many beer tokens am I going to need? I was looking at the latest nautilus and this comes along...

Good reviews!

Regards

Opus

Edited September 14, 2013 by opus9

[Pmat 1]

Christ they're nice. Great review too.

[arancini 0]

Another detailed, brilliant, well researched review.

 

Nice work again ALE.

 

I have the KW PAM 388 and it really is a brilliant piece. My only gripe is the locked screw in one of the lugs.

[opus9 0]

Interesting that on his photobucket site he has an alternative back and shows a p3000 movement with the smoked back. It's very gen like. Take a gander

 

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c59/kuvarsit/KW%20PROJECTS/PAM%20504O/PAM50413.jpg

[hnic 1]

I never liked Pams but the 505 is Nice

would like to see that on my wrist

[moreye 0]

I have the 505 and absolutely love it. Now I cannot decide if I should get 388 or one of their Luminor reps for my next purchase.

[ShadyManc 0]

My only gripe is also the lug screws, making changing a strap, which is what PAMs are all about, either impossible or higher risk than I'd like. I've buggered my 505, as one screw head is stripped. Hopefully a bit of drilling will resolve, then on goes the OEM ASSO and forever mounted it will remain.

 

Other than that these things are a thing of beauty. I will be ordering a 388 this week, and probably order another 505, as they really are that good. I'm going to ask the TD to check the screws as part of the QC process, as long as they are removable the you'll be fine. The one on my 505 was never going to come out with a screwdriver.

 

One word of caution, whilst its possible to mount a strap with one lug bar free, the other still connected, be really careful you don't force it too much, you'll snap the connected lug bar off.

 

Kuvarsit are going to send a replacement set of bars and screws, so fingers crossed my 505 will be saved, if not then I have some spares for future use if needed.

[TheSav 2]

Looks like I'll be getting a 505. Thanks for the write up Ale. Very informative as usual.

[stormtooper4 8]

Great write up and really nice watches, those new movements really take them up a level

[ALE7575 24]

Awesome review as usual ALE!!! Thanks for your incredible contribution to this rep world of ours.

 

You had pointed me to the 505 and 388 (among others) a couple of weeks ago, so I went to your RWI Pam Reference to check them out and I couldn't find the 388. I looked again just now and still didn't see it. Am I missing it somehow, or is the 388 not there?

 

Cheers, and I look forward to your next review :-)

 

Yes, you are right, PAM 388 is not yet in the PAM GUIDE

PAM rep world moves so fast that I cannot update the PAM GUIDE

 

Anyway, I will try to introduce PAM 388 this weekend

Sorry for the troubles

 

ALE

[EuskoGudari 0]

Reading this and watching the pictures has been the closest that I have been to remembering when the candy store was closed and could only watch from the window.

[matjalee 0]

ALE, Once again Best Review from the best expert ..........your D'man.

 

 

 

Thanks to you, because of your review from these both beauty, now I have my 388 for 3 weeks and amazed everyone including my boss, who have 9 original PAM (but not this one and nobody knows that I'm using KW version)......xixixixi.

 

The problem I have that I cannot replace my strap. I manage to open all the screws but I just can Pull out 1 side of lug bar and cannot with the other side. The lug bar is stuck. I brought the watch to the watchsmith in my town (Jakarta, Indonesia) and he also cannot. Yes he can force to pull but it will damage the lug bar........

 

May be you can advise mehmet with this situation because what I do know not only me who have a same problem with this watch.

[opus9 0]

If they make the rattrapante to this level I'm screwed as that's one sexy watch.

[donjuan18 0]

Thanks ale for the great review!

[ALE7575 24]

My only gripe is also the lug screws, making changing a strap, which is what PAMs are all about, either impossible or higher risk than I'd like. I've buggered my 505, as one screw head is stripped. Hopefully a bit of drilling will resolve, then on goes the OEM ASSO and forever mounted it will remain.

Other than that these things are a thing of beauty. I will be ordering a 388 this week, and probably order another 505, as they really are that good. I'm going to ask the TD to check the screws as part of the QC process, as long as they are removable the you'll be fine. The one on my 505 was never going to come out with a screwdriver.

One word of caution, whilst its possible to mount a strap with one lug bar free, the other still connected, be really careful you don't force it too much, you'll snap the connected lug bar off.

Kuvarsit are going to send a replacement set of bars and screws, so fingers crossed my 505 will be saved, if not then I have some spares for future use if needed.

 

ALE, Once again Best Review from the best expert ..........your D'man.

Thanks to you, because of your review from these both beauty, now I have my 388 for 3 weeks and amazed everyone including my boss, who have 9 original PAM (but not this one and nobody knows that I'm using KW version)......xixixixi.

The problem I have that I cannot replace my strap. I manage to open all the screws but I just can Pull out 1 side of lug bar and cannot with the other side. The lug bar is stuck. I brought the watch to the watchsmith in my town (Jakarta, Indonesia) and he also cannot. Yes he can force to pull but it will damage the lug bar........

May be you can advise mehmet with this situation because what I do know not only me who have a same problem with this watch.

 

Thanks for your kind words

 

You can try the system used for a RWI member to remove the “stuck” screw.

 

Firstly you must use a good 1,6mm watchsmith screwdriver.

Pushing the lug bar in direction of the case allows to unscrew a little the screw. Maybe, not enough to remove it but enough to be able to put a tiny screwdriver under the head screw.

If you have no results try pulling the lug outwards the case.

Keep on unscrew with a little and gentle pressure under the head screw with the second screwdriver and....

Most likely the screw was damaged and you will need to use a new screw from KW or Panatime.

 

I had used this system in an old PAM 288 from H maker and it worked !!

 

ALE

Edited September 14, 2013 by ALE7575

[ALE7575 24]

Interesting that on his photobucket site he has an alternative back and shows a p3000 movement with the smoked back. It's very gen like. Take a gander

 

http://i25.photobuck...4O/PAM50413.jpg

 

 

This watch is not a PAM 505 is a PAM 504 of 47mm and golden hands, he movement is P.3000, a manual mvmnt instead of automatic like P.9000

ALE

[ALE7575 24]

I'm really overwhelmed by your comments

Many thanks for your kind welcome to this little review

I'm very happy to be helpful

 

ALE

[pollux1 3]

A fantastic review OP, more please. reviews like this really helps one to make a purchase.