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Hi guys, I recently acquired a supposedly OEM rubber strap from Panerisiti, but I have my doubts whether it is OEM as what is included is a replica buckle, probably from the Noob factory. I have included some pictures along with it. It would be helpful if anyone was to chime in, in identifying a gen OEM rubber strap to a NF rubber strap. I am having a difficult time here in identifying the strap itself, but the buckle is a rep to me. As you can see from the picts. (for the Buckle: the one on the most right is gen, the rest are reps) (For the straps, the one on the bottom is gen, top is uncertain if it is gen or rep) Any help would be appreciated, please chime in. I'd condense this to a Rep vs Gen pictorial after to help other members identify reps vs gens, so we won't get scammed or have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks

It took me awhile before the rep strap came to me, but finally it arrived today. So here comes the pictures. Before you look further, I'd like to point out that there IS a huge difference between the Rep straps and the OEM strap. Not only does the quality of the leather look different externally, it actually feels different when you have it on your wrist. Furthermore, it just brings a different feel towards your rep. The fact that you know that a part of it is gen, really makes you treasure your rep more. At the least, thats what I felt. In fact, I started wearing my rep as my daily beater instead of my gen just because I was wearing that new Gen strap of mine, in which I purchased off a member here. So for those of you who are debating of whether to get an OEM strap, I highly recommend it. For those of you who already use an OEM strap, you know what I mean Just a different satisfaction altogether. Hopefully this comparison or review is comprehensive, feel free to ask any questions as we go along. But obviously, the disparity in price says it all. ~$400 for the OEM and just about free with a purchase for a PAM from one of our TD's. Without further due, here are the pics as promised. (Commentary on top, pics right below it) 1. For those who are new, the gen or OEM strap is the one on the top, with CNG. It is obvious that the quality of the interior leather is different. The OEM gives a firm, but flexible feeling, making the watch really apart of your wrist. Whereas the rep is somewhat stiff. And as you can see, the gen has a fine engraving it, whereas the rep is just different. 2. The thickness is somewhat similar. 3. Again the gen has a more detailed and "perfect" finishing to it. Notice how the rep strap has the Panerai logo alittle misaligned. What I'm really trying to point out here though, is the holes. For those who want to compare the difference, the finishing in the holes are of different width and shape. 4. Again, the holes are very different. The quality of the leather is different, the gen being less stiff, although the color of the rep here seems brighter. In real life, it is somewhat indifferent, its difficult to tell even side by side just by looking at the color itself. 5. Same comments as the top ones, just to further clarify. 6. Notice the difference in stitching. The OEM uses thicker threads than the Rep. 7. Notice the texture, with the gen you can see the creases better than the rep, its deeper and more consistent. (Gen is the one on the bottom) 8. Notice how the Gen has a square "strap thing", while the rep resembles an oval. Again, the difference in the finishing and quality of leather. 9. And those of you who want to see the tubes. The gen's tube fits better into the gen strap. It slides in and out easily, whereas the rep requires some more effort to pull it in and out. Furthermore, the rep tube's finishing is not as good. Hard to see from the pics, but its quite evident in real life. 10. Finally, my assistant who is helping me hold the rep strap. I guess the strap has an odor or something, she puked after biting the strap. Maybe its the leathery chemical on it, but at that moment shes happy stealing it from my table. Well hope you enjoyed my short review. And to add on, I bought my rep from Toro, great seller, patient despite my picky nature in purchasing a watch from him. Rejected 3 QC's, and although he wasn't very happy with it, he remained calm and patient, politely asking me to pick another model if I could not settle with the next QC pic. But fortunately, things went well

I took inventory today of my watch collection. During the process, I shot quite a few pics. Here are a couple of my dear sweet darlings (old veteran members will recall these two I am sure). Some details... Circa '65-'66 1675 with original small GMT hand (from the factory). Yes, it came this way from the factory. This prompted an interesting debate 15 or so years ago when folks started coming out of the woodwork with stories of Rolex finding caches of old parts in the mid-60s (and subsequently using them up despite being slightly outdated. Very 1960s Breitling-esque, I might add). Still have the original folded Jubilee bracelet as well. Mov't has been keeping chronometer time specs since it was born. Crazy accurate. Circa '67-'68 5513 with original Twinlock crown system intact and original T-19 Superdome. I have a NOS Twinlock tube, gasket & crown waiting around for servicing in a few years. I also have a Triplock system for it. I might just install the Triplock to avoid humidity issues in the future. 1520 mov't is also superbly accurate. I've got the original faded bezel insert stashed away that I, from time to time, slap on the watch. I also wear it on its original Oyster bracelet, too. I almost sold this watch a few months ago. Somehow I managed to regain my senses right before closing the deal. What the heck was I thinking!! What is fascinating about these movements is that they autowind to max. capacity extremely rapidly--more than any other auto-mech watch I've owned to date. I know that there are some vintage lovers around these parts!