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This is a post I wrote a couple of months ago at a different forum, before I knew about the existence of a dedicated 'Rep v. Gen' forum at RWG. I thought it would be worth a repost here: Last June, I bought an 18mm deployment clasp for my Speedmaster Professional from an authorized dealer. Prior to that, I'd been using a rep deployant I'd ordered from Perfect Clones. (I didn't get a real Omega clasp back then since my local AD estimated 2 months' shipping--and I was impatient!) A bit pricey as far as rep straps/buckles go, but I was pretty happy with the quality when I got it. The rep Planet Ocean 'leather' strap it came with was crap, but the clasp itself looked almost exactly like the pictures of the original on ofrei.com. Worn on my wrist, there was no way anybody could tell it wasn't the real thing. So why did I finally break down and pay big bucks for a gen deployant? The first thing that bugged me was that the buckle didn't close completely. The strap would be locked in place, but between the two halves there would be a 0.5mm gap on one side, and a 1mm gap on the other. Not something anyone could notice, but it's one of those things that slowly drives you nuts! Second and more importantly, every time I adjusted my strap length, the sides of the strap would be abraded by the inner metal surface. As good as the rep deployant looked, if you ran your fingertip across its surfaces you'd feel a lot of sharp edges. Finally, I figured that if my watch was 90% genuine, I might as well go for the full 100%. The Speedmaster is what I wear most, and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. Why be cheap with my #1 watch? Here, then, are the comparison shots of the rep and gen Omega deployants. Originally, I just wanted to get a closer look at what was chewing up my straps, but then I remembered the Novesh comparo. The gen is always on the right, or is the lower of two pictures. Also, it's labelled! Let's begin: This is why my leather straps were getting damaged. Check out the sharp, unfinished edges to the upper-left and upper-right of the peg. The profiles are similar, and the rep is pretty comfortable on the wrist. I'd read that the older rep deployants weren't curved as smoothly. You can also see the gap I mentioned under the pushbutton. Very clear differences in the shape and finish. Maybe if the rep spent more time at the grinding wheel? Probably the worst-finished part of the rep. You can also see the big difference in the shape of the pushbuttons. Here's why the rep clasp doesn't close tightly. The bumps in the middle are what lock the two halves in place. The tolerance needs to be extremely fine to minimize play, and the rep just doesn't have it. Also, check out the rough surface under the 'feet' of the Omega symbol. Glue or brazing filler? More examples of sharp edges ground away. Note that the markings are almost identical, except for the three letters on one of the posts. These letters may differ on genuine examples; I don't know what they mean. Oddly enough, the rep has a more rounded slot than the gen! Sleeker profile overall, but is it worth the extra money? It's your call, obviously, but I wouldn't have bought the genuine article if it wasn't for a real Speedy. In hindsight, though, I wish I'd ordered the deployant from my AD, and worn the bracelet for a couple of months while waiting. Hope this has been useful to some of you Omega Men out there!

Guys Just finished this today and although not everyone's bag, I love the elegance and look of these pieces and with it's very fine Rose Gold Hands and crown, is a watch you will rarely see if at all! The transplant itself is quite easy with a few simple hobby tools and patience and good eyes. The more complicated ones like the Repeater project I leave to the Smiths of the world. I have posted a similar stunner in the Gen section for sale. I hope you like them. Regards AJ

Nice!! I have it's stealthy cousin the PAM332. It's one of my favorites.

Good man! Yeah, our wives are after our blood but then they have their endless shoe and bag purchases to justify.

What are we little girls discussing about? Go gen, it doesn't have any flaws as far as I am concerned

Great review Steel! You just pointed things i have not noticed on mine. One thing i agree wholeheartedly with is the sharp fold over the clasp. At the moment I am waiting for my bezel to arrive. Until then i enjoy it without the insert Great videos!

Congrats Steel! Great presentation thanks for sharing! Can't wait to get mine!

Pioneer: Rumors say that they took the blue colour from the crpo and implemented into the SMP-c. Not sure if it's correct or not, but by judging from the pics of the rep from for example Joshua's site, it's not exactly the same blue. Not a huge difference though and maybe I'm wrong, but I believe one will need to actually go out on a limb and actually purchase it and compare with gen. They are supposed to be waterproof to 30m, but I still wouldn't go swim with it. You can do waterproofing services by sending the watch to some different members here on the forum to be sure.

The Rolex Forum is the funniest of them all. There are some good people of course but most of the membership are some nerdy department head-types who think that buying a Rolex has finally made them a "worthier person".

True, but be careful how you apply that logic. Magnification = Cyclops strength + rehaut depth + standoff. So you can use this to compare two crystals side by side. But, in the wild, my shallow rehaut on my Gen Explorer II has a very weak magnification of the actual date wheel. In fact, the reps were over magnified creating a tell or conversely people thinking my gen was fake. Compare that to the old top hat crystal on a 1680. The extra height of the crystal standoff + rehaut makes the 1680 Sub the most magnified DW ever.

Unless you have a known gen on hand to make a direct comparison, the best way to tell is by the cyclops magnification. The gen is 2.5x (so the date windows fills most of the cyclops when viewed directly) while most aftermarkets are 2x or less. As always, your best guarantee is to buy the seller before you click the buy button.

And here I was thinking the love for Pre-V was dead; long live the King!

Welcome to the addiction! Nice choice I own the 212.

Hell, I can often be found wearing a pair of Checkered Van's (shoes), jeans and a T-Shirt sporting any number of high end watches. Including my GEN Rolex's. (In my 40's now, but I still wear Van's since I was 13!!!) Personal Style Statement - My wife loves it.

I know...What makes you think tha dial from LV TC v2 sub is wrong for the ceramic??It is still maxi dial with great engraving and quality..Check my posts guys i know what i am talking about

Beauty ...... Wear in good health!!!