projectologist

Nope, you're not crazy... on the wrist that area isn't as noticeable as being wider than the gen. In the OP, the watch on the right is gen and you can see that the area you're referring to is noticeably slimmer.

Same here... and in the stills the movement looks a step closer to getting the plate stampings correct.

It's the tunnel strap that was designed for and comes with the 233.

So is this a test for us or an answer for you? ... jus' askin'

You're going to really like the 29. I haven't met a rep yet that didn't need some final tweaking before I was satisfied with it on my wrist. Well the 29 is a game changer. Virtually none of the flaws that have bugged many of us for years are present with this one. The Asian clone movement is fine, the xtal/cyclops is amazing, nice date font, flawless bezel engraving and the CG/roller lever is nearly perfect. Congrats and enjoy...

The pics in the OP are thumbnails. Tap them if you're on your phone (or click if on your computer) and they will open up enlarged.

Just a brief comparison search looks like they did. The original numbers on the first 23/29 models were a hair thicker than the new 29's and this one appears to have captured that pretty well. Also they got the matte fill right as opposed to the semi-gloss fill of the 29/23 A-B series.

GB = group buy I forgot to spell it out since I just copied and pasted my OP from the other forum where the group buy originated.

Absolutely recommended. Best thumbnail buckle to-date as well.

An opportunity came up to get one of the GB 29M's drop shipped to me as part of a trade. And members are not exaggerating... this one bodes well for 2012. This is the first rep EVER that I absolutely have no compulsion to modify They even got the CG lever width between the crown and CG body right. And the corners in the cut out area are square, no radius!... I know it's a little thing to most, but I know it did bug some of us. I can live with the "9" on this one. Xtal/cyclops... awesome, no complaints. Date font is gtg. D@mn, all there is to do with this one is wear it GMT hand sweeps setting and sweeps running FTW! My old iPhone likes this one...

Waiting on the final word regarding the C3 crystals. Word from Bart is that he was supposed to pick them up this past Friday. QC and ship this week.

Very good point and probably the case with the OP. The reverse can also happen, I went from 5 years of nothing but 44m PAMs to a Rolex and it took me a good couple of weeks to get comfortable seeing the smaller size on my wrist. After awhile it blended right into the rotation.

The shape of your wrist makes a bigger difference than the circumference measurement. My wrist measures 7.5", but is very round in shape. I have a friend whose wrist measures 6.75", but his wrist is much flatter than mine so if you put our wrists side by side with a 44mm PAM, it looks like we have the same size wrist. If you're concerned about size, try the slimmer PAMs, avoid the chunky taller sitting subs. Also go with a thinner strap as opposed to the 5mm thick ammo versions. 24>22mm tapered straps also give an overall slimmer impression.

Your first three sentences tells all of us that NO, you do not get it and where we are coming from with our responses. You need to get rid of that chip on your shoulder and take advantage of the vast knowledge we have to share instead of as you say, question it. We've all been playing the rep game for a very long time and have all helped each other out through all of the associated bumps in the road that come along with the journey. You're more than welcome to come along for the ride. Just gotta drop that defensive guard, we're all a pretty nice group of guys here.

+1 and also some knowledge... especially when he says things like ".... And I'm not so sure if a Seiko is much better than a Breitling or Panerai rep." He shows that he has no idea how superior Seiko is to what the rep industry produces. Seikos are manufactured with watch specific machinery. These are highly evolved machines designed for very specific watch related parts and sub-assemblies. And most designed specifically to Seiko's request. The rep industry uses whatever machinery they have at the moment. Very generic equipment and parts aren't subject to any QC beyond a quick glance before being tossed into a nearby parts bin. Fit and finish is hit and miss. I've never had a rep that didn't require some further refinement when it comes to fit and finish (yes, there have been a couple of exceptions, but these are VERY rare). I could go on, but won't... in this case, I don't think a "healthy" argument is possible. It's sad, but this will be the first time I'll make a note to myself to avoid these kinds of threads as they are very frustrating and contribute very little to the forum or community.

Red arrow pointing to the notched cut out I'm referring to. On the rep the cut out is always straight.

The notch is missing the one of the openings in the insert ring around the Inca-bloc shock system at the base of the dagger regulator arm. You can see it in the comparo pic in your OP.

IF the Panerai rep has a display case back, then it's less than a second to spot a fake manual-wind movement. None so far have the correct looking Inca-bloc regulator/shock system. Sticks out like a sore thumb.

I haven't tried one yet, but folks here I trust have said it's a reliable alternative to SWISS.

PM sent...

Actually the V2 case isn't any more accurate than V1. Especially the lugs which are the biggest tell. The gens lugs are a little chunkier leaning more to PreV style especially when viewed from the side. Upon seeing the current 360 reps on the wrist, the only tell that really stands out is the dial. And unless the person doing the relume has a gen to go by and match (can't do it from pics alone) you'd be wasting your money. Slap a ST-36 movement in a V1 and you're good to go. Can't go by DLC color either based on pics alone. The V1 matches nicely to gen. And here are 2 pics of the same gen 360 taken at the same time, only difference is one was taken in some shade the other a little more sunlight. Looks like 2 totally different coatings, which is why final judgment can't be made solely by pics alone.

V1 dial lume color is the business... V1 rep in daylight... Gen in daylight...

OEM = contracted from an Original Equipment Manufacturer. I believe HIRSCH straps of Austria was one of the makers OP used for awhile.

The V1 dial uncharged lume is closest to gen of all of the current dials available.

Yes... can't say enough about how happy I am with how it turned out.