unregistered Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Another one of my reviews...yes, its getting almost boring now This time its on a PAM 243 that all of you have been talking up so much. This puppy ain't for me but for a friend, which I'm going to borrow and work on for a little bit before handing over. I have never been much of a fan of the submersible range, except for the PAM187, but that is just too damn chunky for normal usage. Anyhow, on to the review. If you've read any of mine, you should know how it goes, just follow the numbers for the flaws Please note, this is a review on the watch available from PWC (great transaction btw and thanks Rob) and the cartel which should be the PAM 243I. There are differences within the 243 range that I'll elaborate further later on. Front 1) Bezel markers, all of them are oversized on the rep. Most obvious ones are the numbered markers. 2) Pearl is close, but too big. Gen has a larger lip around the edge 3) Subdial is glossy at certain angles on the rep. For the gen, most of the pics I've seen show it being matte. This may or may not be wrong as the camera can pick things up differently. 4) All the bezel markers are polished on the gen. Rep have them brushed. 1) Obvious ring around the cyclops whereas the gen it almost blends in 2) Magnification is obviously off. There is some slight magnification but not as strong as the gen. 2.1) Datewheel. Font is too thin on the rep. *Small note, this gen PAM243I is a little weird in that it's got an L Swiss Made L dial. T Swiss Made T dials were made for I and J series 243s. As such, my guess this is a re-dialed 243I. Side-CG 1) Height of the markers are 0.5mm too thick. The gen has them only just pushing up 2) Height of the crystal above the bezel. Again very very slightly above the bezel whereas the gen is almost flush. 3) Lug profile is incorrect on gen. *Take note, gen pic is of a 243J which has the rollerball CG and quick change strap system. This differs from the 243I which did not have it, so our model here is correct. Side-He 1) He font seems mildly different from gen, but not very noticeable. Not many things wrong on this side, just the aforementioned lug profile Back 1) No engraved serial and series number OP 6671 is correct for 243I. This changed to OP 6701 in the J & K series. All other engravings look accurate Strap The strap is the biggest letdown to be honest. Very bad rubber, texture and overall a huge tell for being reppy. I've since put it on a nice distressed locco horse suede strap from Panatime with a spare thick SC skull buckle, much nicer. So now that I've compared it all, what are my thoughts? Considering I am not a PAM Submersible fan, I must say this one actually grows on me. I actually like it and will probably order another one for myself. Yes there are flaws, but like the brushed bezel markers are an easy fix for a modder. The CG is accurate, the pin is flat and polished (though mildly sunken, I'll push it back up), the lever is slightly loose, but not badly, the crown is thick and accurate. The bezel itself is mildly loose, but not badly so. Basically, it just exudes quality in my opinion. Everything fits well, and looks good on the wrist. I've always never liked the Luminor case for the subs, somehow it just felt wrong on the wrist and I've tried my fair share of 24s and 25s. This however, feels rugged yet classy and I'll have no issues wearing this out over the weekend to the marina. And it aint a huge piece like the Fiddy or MM20 which forces people to stare, this is a little more subtle and I think the fiddy case suits the style very well. Overall, an excellent rep, one that with a few mods would be amazingly accurate. For my own personal piece, it'll probably head off to Vacc for a Tritium style relume. Hope you enjoyed this review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Simply Stunning review, a wonderful read and great to see these 2 together side by side. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this together. Should be pinned GOLD STAR ST4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinamm20 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 also - on the GEN it is marked "L swiss made L" and on the rep "T swiss made T" Edit!!! ahhhhh sorry didnt see your remark on this but otherwise - a cool tool watch.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Nice review and thanks for taking the time to do it I got mine from Trevor and it seems to be slightly better out of the box. I polished the markers, CG pin and He valve on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unregistered Posted December 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Adding size and lume comparison Casesize & Lume Left to right: PAM243, PAM111E, PAM232I, MM20 Well as you can see, it "looks" smaller than a 111E. The biggest is obviously the MM20 there. However, thickness wise, sorry I wasn't going to remove all my straps for this shot, you can sorta see that the thickess is the MM20, followed by 243, then 111, and lastly, the ever classy 232. Lume Left to right: DSN 232 dial, Gen MM20, 243, Vacc 111 Quick and dirty shot, unlike what I used to do. On charging, its fairly decent I must say, but loses its glow much quicker compared to the others. For eg, I just charged them all, and the others are still glowing, the 243 is dull already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drulee Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Terrific review, even if you've got no Sub luv I'm just getting into them, just don't like the 47mm ones. One thing though, you mention that the strap was a big let down, have you tried other rep straps of this type? I ask because I couldn't stand the older style rep rubber, but the new style that came with my manual wind 308 made me change my mind about rubber straps - it was form fitting, very comfortable, and just seemed "right". If you're saying the gen of this style is even better, I may just pick one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unregistered Posted December 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 (edited) Hey Doc, which strap are you talking about? I've got an ultimate 199 rubber rep strap on deployant (centre 2nd from left) and that is amazingly close to gen in texture and suppleness. The new style strap (on the right) I got on this 243 and the rubber quite plainly sucks. As in the texture and everything is off and its a dust magnet. I don't know if the makers have any like the other rep rubber I have which is pretty damn close to gen. BTW, all arn't mine, these are gen's on risti But as you mentioned, between the two, yes I find the new style strap more form fitting though maybe not better looking, a little rugged. Depending on what you're doing. To add a point that not all rubber straps are created equal I got it off RSM who said it came from an Ultimate watch (guessing Ultimate 199) and I'd be hardpressed to see the difference between this and the OEM considering I've worn it a bunch of times and it aint a dust magnet, similar texture and suppleness Edited December 5, 2009 by unregistered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unregistered Posted December 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Now with polished markers, tight CG lever and the buckle has its edges polished too. I think it's an amazing combo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unregistered Posted December 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Update with movement shot With the caseback off, the movement is really quite pretty. Newer style 7750 w/ faux regulator. Must note that the caseback gasket is pretty thick and decent, I greased it and tested it via the hot water beaker test and only places where air bubbled out were the crown guard and bezel as expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 man the 243 is a real nice lookin watch, im fallin in love with this combo, and the polishing of the markers i realy no big thing, i think i have another name on my list denz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 The 243 is an amazing watch...the rep is a great watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 unreg whe you read this can you please tell me wich strap and buckle you use on the 243 on the last pics? denz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unregistered Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 deniz: It's a Panatime loco horse suede strap with a walthar pig buckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 thank you man it looks great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 thanks for the review UR.. it's a beast for sure.. I wear it to the beach at times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 thanks for the review UR.. it's a beast for sure.. I wear it to the beach at times... a wristi would be nice R (me) (you and the other 243 owners) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingleberry Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 great review. well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 are there any news, that there will be a new improoved model of the 243? and are there different modells available or all the same?? cause i realy think that i cant resist long for this thing, it dosnt gos out of my mind anymore i think the rep rubber sucks realy but no prob its without a bout better on leather anyways so, is there someone who sells his 243 thanks guys denz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSRep Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Another one of my reviews...yes, its getting almost boring now Hope you enjoyed this review Hey UR. Boring?? No way man, these are quality threads. Takes alot of effort to compose one of these. So thanks for the efforts. Im holding up for a good sub rep........saw a gen the other day and drooled all over the counter Edited February 8, 2010 by OSRep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 bumb for this beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Absolutely great review. Thanks much for all your efforts. It is a great watch and the only one of the 44mm 1000's I have seen with a decent crown guard and crown. I must confess the bezel and markers are much further off than I would have guessed. The standard rep subs I have seen look better on that account. It is a great rep in any case and a wonderful review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrppp Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 tot the gen on this pic is L SWISSMADE L below the 6 and the rep T SWISS MADE T between the 6... i find this is the big fault on the rep dial... correct me if i am wrong cos i saw from the other site the GEN for T SWISSMADE T ARE BELOW THE 6... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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