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Another GMT shot - from Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Hey guys! Since I first got my daydate from a fellow forum member, I couldn't be happier with it! Although I have made a few cosmetic tweaks. This is how it looked when I bought it And this is how it looks now! I added a Hadley Roma leather strap and a gold Hirsch deployant clasp. Let me know what you guys think!

First of all a big thanks to Toro Bravo for a lightning fast delivery and smooth transaction. You can't go wrong with him and he is definitely on his way to being one of the best dealers throughout the boards. So here it is guys. My review and opinion on the new p3000 clone. I will not go into the watch itself because member Ale has done some very extensive research and has aded all the info to his 'panerai bible' so look it up. I will start with a short 'management summary' before I continue to the pictures. This movement is not based on an existing movement. It has 2 barrels and the movement design mimics the genuine p3000 design. It is however completely different. Genuine parts are absolutely not interchangeable. I have never taken apart a genuine p3000 so I can only go by internet pictures. If I would have to set my money on a manufacturer of the p3000 clone it would be the factory that produces the IWC Jones movement. In terms of finishing and design I get the same vibe. Besides both barrels the movement was oiled properly and clean. Parts were finished well according to rep standards. Some plating issues here and there and discolouration of metal. But when dealing with Chinese movements this is normal and it does not affect long term reliability. The p3000 clone was easy to take apart and is absolutely serviceable. Getting it back together is a different story. The gear train is extremely wobbly and the gear train plate very difficult to assemble. You need a special tweezer in order to reach all the gears and align them properly with the jewels. It was perhaps the hardest bridge I have ever had to install. Especially because spare parts are non existent. So if you break one little pivot say bye bye to the movement. Also because most jewel holes lay very deep it is almost impossible to see what you are doing when oiling them. Even with a 10x loupe you are almost working in the dark... But when finished this movement runs like a champ and I see no reason why it would be any less reliable than an 6497. I think this p3000 clone is on par. I can not yet comment of the power reserve as I immediately torn the movement apart to review but I suspect it will reach those 72h without a problem. The details: When I first saw the p3000 when it came out a couple of weeks ago I was very excited. The p9000 clones could not get my motor started as they did not clone any of it's functions. Only the aesthetics was looked after with some decorative plates. A pig in a dress or whatever you want to call it. But this new p3000 clone however was a whole different story. I could clearly see this was not based an existing movement (e.g. 7750/ 6497/2824 etc). So I did not hesitate and ordered one right away to review... Upon arrival I could not take my eyes from the back. The movement just looks gorgeous. Nice detail inside case back They even hid the ugly movement tabs underneath the pretty ones lol. Before taking the movement apart I put it on the timegrapher. It runs at 21.600 bph and the amplitude was ok but rate and beat were off. As this new movement has a free sprung balance (so I thought) I was a bit terrified as regulating it can be a b!tch. However upon closer inspection I noticed the rate stud hidden order the bridge. Thank god! That means the stellar screws on the balance are for show and this movement can be regulated like any other. Here you can see it more clearly with the decorative plate removed. An incabloc shock absorber which is also very reliable. Solid bridge and underside balance view. Clean "POL" engraving underneath the balance. No clue what it stands for. The oiled barrel jewels Look at the 3 layered dial!!!!!.... That will need a special canon pinion right? Huh?.. That is a deep hole. No special canon pinion but special hands. So forget replacing them.. Here you can see the base plate with the dial removed. Nicely finished and clean. No date option and a normal keyless which has some grease... Some part close ups.. Here is the barrel bridge removed. Nice and solid. The 2 barrels exposed The underside of the barrel bridge (I used foil with this movement as the brushed plates are prone to scratches) Barrel 1 (clean but not oiled) Barrel 2 (clean but not oiled) Here you can see both main springs. The barrel 2 mainspring is longer. Here is the gear train. Completely different than the gen p3000 with a aded pinion to transfer the power to the top of the movement: the canon pinion (= minute wheel) The pinion I'm talking about Other parts are also well finished Final shot on the timegrapher taken a hour ago after full service and regulation. Performing like a gen ... Here is a genuine p3000 (pictures from Google search) and you can see the similarities and differences in bridges and gears. Well that was all folks. Hope you liked the review. Based on my findings I would say the watch is definitely worth the extra $100. Although not a 100% the same in appearance and function as the p3000 it comes very close. Maybe the closest we will ever see? It is a reliable movement and it will give you that extra dimension of a genuine feeling. I'm still testing it so unfortunately I can not yet comment on the power reserve whether it actually is 72h. But I think it will come close. Tanks for reading Mark

Lol! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now with some serious Patination here's my 382 Bronzo, polished this time yesterday looking 30 years old today Corrected date, my bad

If I had the keys to this place for just one night... http://youtu.be/074QuAMCSmo

In class.. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On my Noob GMT2C I used a 2893-2 with H5 CP and no problem with it! Also, no need of hand bending..

New gmt with gen crystal.

Received two days ago from Andrew!!!

AJ lives in the future! Transocean for me on the 10th of april! Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Tapatalk

Take your time to read through the forum Grasshoppah. These questions have mostly been answered. Only when you know the answer may ask who has the best sub. Welcome to RWG! Hope you stay a while.

When OP first came out with the 389, I didn't feel much love for it and didn't seek it out to try on. But at lunch today I got to try on the ZF version and was impressed. And bought it. Fit and finish is among the best I've seen on any rep. Well done little details are everywhere. They got the directional arrow on the anti-magnetic cover (turn and line it up with the crown and you can easily remove it). The QR buttons are nicely done too. They have a solid feel in use. Lume is good too, both application and charge. The movement finish has to be seen in-person to really appreciate how good it is. The date lines up dead center in the small window. What really sold it for me was how much more comfortable and balanced it is compared to how the 243 fit my wrist. The 389 does not feel as top heavy, nor does it want to slide as easily on my wrist like the 243 always did. Some pics from this afternoon... For size reference, my wrist measures 7.5"...

proper job , me I can't wear a watch in bed just annoys when i lay on it and the missus moans if it touches her. Told her to sleep in the other room but that just got me bad language

Matt Damon!

If your conus send it to me I'll replace your gasket and reset your bezel assembly free of charge

On a side note and for those who build up DJ reps. The SA3135 DJ case set is the next best thing to gen. I will do a mini review soon. I am getting a gen 16200 to compare and show you guys. Well worth buying one and parting it out

Ar71888 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hah, you misspelled the word "drinks"

6 hours and we have a quite dark brown and definite aged look.

I used a satin varnish spray dusted over lightly and smoke aged it to dull it down a bit buddy

The watch sure does live up to the oyster reputation.