takashi

For ETA2836, it has central second running hand, whereas on 7750, running subdial at 9 o clock position. So for PAM069, it has never used 7750. Likewise, PAM089 won't use 2836.

Nice piece! I have been waiting for this piece for almost 1 month. Previous package got lost in the mail. Now the dealer is sending another one.

This piece is water resistant out of box: However, like all other rep watches, you need to ensure that gaskets are properly lubed with silicon grease and they are not damaged.

this is a gen piece I believe Anyway, you can always do aftermarket coating but you'll be getting closed caseback (I think very accurate on the rep). Open caseback is usually a cause of "dead giveaway" on rep watches (movement and rotor exposed).

Good choice scoobs. Anyway, you will find excellent deal of this watch in the US (most likely due to current exchange rate). The gen is a good value for money IMHO. Used to own the rep with mushroom/grey dial but I agree... I think blue/black looks best on this watch. As for the bezel, agree with polished too. Looks much better than the brushed one IMHO.

Yeah! I have this watch. If you are in EU, I am willing to part with it.

Get the rep croc strap. It's very high quality for this model (but not on Heritage). I have seen excellent Breitling croc rep strap on Blackbird and SFSO, they are of amazing quality. I compared it side by side with genuine. If not because of Cuir veritable on the rep, it's passable as gen (which uses Croco veritable writing on the strap).

The problem is... Movement may vary from one production batch to another, even in the same rep model. Another example is IWC Ingenieur non chrono. I got it very first, from Eddie Lee. Guess what... The movement is real ETA2824-2 nickle plated just like on my PO 42,5mm 4th gen and Breitling Avenger Seawolf. Nowadays, you will see many using ETA2836-2 or for this instance, ETA clone.

The most laxed customs in this EU area is France and the UK. Best entry point for getting your goods delivered.

I agree with you chub... I am glad that finally I decided I must have this watch. Should have gotten it much earlier. It really is an excellent replica.

HA HA HA Glad that you made it!

I think the GMT hand is compatible on this piece too in terms on pole size. However, I compared the hand with PAM089, it's definitely smaller on this piece. Glad that you like it Another review will come late this week. Consolidating data first.

Forgot to add 1 picture. This one is after hands reluming, original lume just looks like on the dial: The colour is a spot on C3 Superluminova.

I wrote this just last week, I consolidated everything and changes made. I hope you guys like it. Preface This is a start of my review of the week article. I will try my best to write at least 1 replica watch review per week from now onwards Please take note that the watches are obtained with my own money (no sponsorship, etc.), unless otherwise stated. I hope you will find this review useful. Without further ado, let's start with this week review of Panerai Luminor North Pole GMT PAM252. About the watch The genuine: This watch is a limited production run of 500 pieces in the year 2006 (I series) by Officine Panerai. It is to commemorate a successful North Pole expedition by Mike Horn. Like many other Panerai watches, this watch has become one of the collectible watches in modern Panerai history. The genuine is powered by OP Cal. VIII which basically is an ETA7750 with date and GMT complication. The replica: This watch was released many months ago. Prototype pictures emerged as early as after Chinese New Year last year (after HBB craze). At this point of time, PAM186 GMT was the more popular choice among rep buyers. There exists another version of this replica PAM252GMT which uses the same case as old PAM186 GMT with a much pronounced electric blue dial. From what I can see, the older version is not really good and has many flaws as compared to the genuine article. In other words, this is the best and most recent PAM252GMT you can find on the market. It's powered by Asian 7750 hi beat rate with GMT and date complications too. Technical Details on the Replica: Watch name: Officine Panerai Luminor North Pole GMT PAM252 Diameter: ~44mm Movement: Asian 7750 28,800 bph + settable 24 hours GMT function Case: Stainless Steel brushed, solid caseback. Crown: Stainless Steel polished CG: Stainless Steel brushed Crystal: Sapphire with single sided AR coating. Cyclop is also AR coated. Dial: Dark Cobalt Blue, matte Bezel: Brushed with polished NSWE markers, 60 clicks Strap: Rubber Clasp: Deployant buckle Based on the specification, the watch looks really not bad. In terms of functionality, it works like as it should be. The main attraction of this watch is ,in my opinion, the dial. It has really an attractive dark matte blue colour. I have read someone called it "cobalt blue" which I have to agree. Sometimes it looks very dark and you can mistake it as dark grey/black colour. I can attest to this claim that the watch comes indeed with dark blue dial, a very attractive one. Although the AR coating is not very strong on this model, it helps to reduce reflection on the dial and datewheel. It's definitely a big improvement as compared to old PAM186GMT replica or old PAM252GMT replica. The datewheel has a black background and correct bold white numbers on it. The magnification looks very good on this model, something that can't be found out of the box in older version of this model. The readability of this watch is very good. It has uncluttered design despite the presence of extra GMT hands. Surprisingly, I like the contrast much better than let say on PAM089. The silver hands go well together with the dark blue dial. The presence of C3 coloured lume blends very well too. However, the lume is as expected. It has standard replica lume (i.e.: average). It's brighter than the older PAM186GMT replica and some other Panerai reps but this is nowhere near the genuine C3 Superluminova. The bezel has a solid 60 clicks. It centres properly and doesn't wobble. The cut of bezel teeth as well as the markers are done very well. Crown guard and crown aren't that bad either. The crown is pretty well made on this piece. The CG is also good. However, you can notice that there is a little bit of gap at the end of the tip of half moon shaped CG, joining the CG and the case. It's not a huge problem and can be fixed with sanding it. The edge of the crown guard is cut very well. Sharp but won't cause injury. It doesn't dig into the skin too The case and the caseback are also very well made on this piece. It's infact one of the best around in rep Panerai world. Engraving is very nice on the caseback and pretty accurate to the genuine. I have seen the genuine caseback, the polished part is very accurate but the BB number should be located just above the serial number (I009/500), not beside it. It doesn't have spelling mistake anymore like in the case of old PAM252/186 (Cape Arcticooky). Here it has correct polished and brushed parts as well as correct spelling (Cape Arctichesky). The strap is not bad at all. It is of different quality than old replica Panerai rubber strap. This one doesn't attract dust and softer than the old rep rubber strap. The deployant locks the strap perfectly and pretty easy to operate too. This is a Panerai model which I think looks best on rubber strap, so I will leave it as it is. Conclusion In terms of price/performance of this watch, it is close to unbeatable. The movement is so far so good, winds pretty smoothly with accuracy of +10 secs a day when worn on the wrist. The watch is totally well replicated. Very minimal flaws, I must say. Wearing it on the wrist generates quite a lot of presence. Well, it's gotta do with Panerai, I think It's very comfortable on the wrist too. You can tell that this is an "expensive" watch even without knowing the brand. I can highly recommend you to get this watch (before it gets discontinued ). You never know... Eyecandy Purchased from: Off RWG-Board Dealer, June 2008 Results: Strap and clasp: (max. 10 points) The watch comes with latest rubber 24mm replica rubber strap. I have compared it with various older replica Panerai rubber straps. This is indeed very good. It has butter soft feeling, doesn't attract dust, smells good and has a gen feeling on it. The butterfly clasp/double deployant needs further refinement nonetheless. Genuine Panerai deployant has higher quality finishing. The rep is not bad, it has no sharp parts. As a bonus, the screws on the lug are very good. Not stripped and possibility to change it to aftermarket spring bar (River's) is there. 9 Operation: (10) It has GMT function which is adjustable, crown guard works perfectly to keep crown in place. Setting time and date is not a problem at all. Hack function is available on this model. The crown has butter smooth feeling when manually winding the movement. Flappy CG lever may be a minus point here. 8 Case: (10) Very well made case, sharply cut and well define just like the genuine article. Caseback engraving is done very well too without "unfinished" part. Engraving looks deep enough. Just like gen, markers are glued to the bezel. I don't think it will fall off easily. I tried to remove the markers, to no avail. CG needs some refinement nonetheless (there is a little gap between CG and case, barely noticable). 8 Design: (15) Unmistakably Panerai. You can't go wrong with this watch if you like a unique and distinctive design. It's a big watch but I am sure most readers will be able to wear this watch. Sometimes, thickness may posses a concern if you are wearing suit. But hey, this is a sport watch 13 Legibility: (10) After reluming, I will give it full mark but stock lume on this rep is not good at all (i.e.: mediocre). Sometimes there is a possibility to mistake the GMT hand with minute hand. They are using the same hand colour. 8 Wearing comfort: (15) This is one of the comfortable and well balanced watches. The rubber straps + deployant buckle are a good combo for this watch. Tried it with a pair of calf strap on a tongue buckle, not as good feeling as stock rubber. Not too heavy/too light. 13 Movement: (20) Well... Asian 7750 Hi Beat rate with GMT complication. By default, it's 10 secs fast a day. Now I brought it down to 3secs fast a day. Not bad for a fresh movement. While reluming, I have a chance to take a peep at the movement. Rotor is decorated with "stickers". Not a good one here. Swapped the rotor to genuine ETA7750. Winding feels much smoother now. But parts appears to be clean under 10x loupe. 15 Overall value: (10) Got it at wholesale price which is perfect. If you get it however at "street price", this is still worth quite a lot. I don't think resale price is gonna drop a lot on this model too. Just be aware that this model has been released for quite some time, it MAY get discontinued. 8 Total: 82/100

soon Hope it doesn't turn into pages long thread. Many leaked info said, soon.

You see That's the catch. 199$ + contract, my [censored]. The bottom line is ... Steve Jobs is a good marketer.

Well.. there is a fine print to this. 199 is with a new contract with AT&T. In Germany, it's by T Mobile, which I think the plan sucks. Maybe I will get it in Singapore My Singtel contract already expired last year. Get the 16Gb version. 1 rep = 1 new phone. Not a bad deal IMHO.

The bracelet is not that expensive ca. 500 dollar new, shipped in original packing. But agree, get the bracelet version as a starter.

Get one from China... That one is for 24 watches (bulky item). Paid 80 Eur inclusive shipping.

I have posted my reply on the other forum. To summarize: 1. Well written article with really useful information, thanks a lot for doing this. 2. I believe the repmakers do use real ETA on some of the watches. It varies greatly from watches to watches and from each production batch. To cite and example, read SD4K review on Breitling Heritage Superocean non chrono. He got it at really really first batch.... and... the movement is real ETA. Today, it's difficult to find this watch with this movement anymore, only golden colour 2824-2 available for this watch. Another example, long gone rep such as first generation Breitling SuperOcean SteelFish or Avenger Seawolf or Omega Planet Ocean 4th gen. The first batch do come with nickle plated ETA, undecorated. I am sure it's real ETA. 3. Even on "copy" products, there exists variations. I have seen many A7750 hi beat, on many watches which comes with different finishing on parts. To simplify, I concentrate on normal 6-9-12 layout. They do look different in various areas. Some even come with "dirt" and "rust" on the parts.

Seamaster Chrono = you are better off with the rep. As for Omega PO Chrono.. Yes, go for this model. It has coaxial movement and to date, the movement has not been repped yet. Subdial spacing posses a challange to the repmakers too (I should say that it's close to impossible that this movement will be duplicated properly).

Yes it is an easy fix. Marker is glued using GS cement to the dial. You can remove it by using a 0.8mm screwdriver, starting from the side.

I believe there is an option of refuse package and it will be returned to sender. Please check with seller if this is the case (you need to tick this option before sending out the package). To me, safest option is to refuse package.

1. You should create a "fake" repair receipt. Your seller maybe can help you. 2. Shipped using airmail, no proof. They can't do anything about it. 3. Worst come to worst, return the package to the USA. Don't use FedEx. Airmail works best.

BS. Just ordered 1 package recently. Arrived in 3 working days. I won't name shipping method as to protect myself and the dealer. Less is known, the better. You can PM me for the details.