Mapman57 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I have updated this thread below with a comparison of the TC V4 bracelet v's the TC V3 and Gen PJ10 There have been numerous mini, fragmented reviews of TC's latest 'V4' 93250 bracelet across the forums, but personally I have not yet found a detailed breakdown. I was about to place an order for one to upgrade my V3 but the reviews have been mixed and inconclusive? There appears to be lots of comments and confusion about the clasp stiffness, edge finish, weight and general feel, coronet design/size etc. Many saying it is not as good as the V2, or V3 and some saying it is almost perfect etc It appears to me that various versions are being shipped as V4's - but they may not in fact be V4's - if that makes sense? I have an Rolex AD supplied, PJ10 coded 93150/585 for my 1665 GWSD, so I thought I would compare some of the headline features, fit and finish with my TC V3 93250/SEL set up. Both of these are date coded to 2008, although, as we know the TC v3 is a 2013 model It appears that the material, size, fit and finish of the two clasps are indeed very close (albeit one is a 93150 and one a 93250). The only design difference is the set up of location holes on the clasp sides, to accept the respective styles of diver extensions and pin bars etc - old and new style. Plus a few other minor differences, which I will highlight below. I will run through some details and then provide my own personal interpretation..... For the most part the GEN bracelet is to the left as you look at it or in the lower position. I have not cleaned or brushed the bracelet - straight off the watch. The GEN is 5 years old and has seen a lot of use! Flip Lock Clasp Overall size, feel, gauge and quality is very good and comparable. Look at the coronet........ As we know the TC V3 is a little wider, squatter and more open and the oval at the base of the coronet is a little 'incomplete' - but pretty good on the wrist. It is a little less defined and crisp - lacking a little depth. The two claps are of equal dimension - the camera is playing tricks here as it makes the TC look bigger - they are the same! TC Gen Internal stampings TC Gen Attachment of the Flip Lock and spacing There have been some negative comments made about the flip lock spacing on TC's clasps, but as you can see they are spot on! The edge finish around the metal is also quite similar. This is a V3 TC clasp and the fit and finish is no worse or different to gen. The Gen clasp is in the lower position below - note the slight difference to the thumbnail rebate/chamfer on the underside of the flip lock. The main difference between the two clasps is the length of the two parallel stiffening lines and the size of the Rolex logo/swirl - see it below? The central hinge pin on the two halves is good and stiff and very, very gen like! It should be stiff. Any small brown marks are 'crud' - it is not rust :eek: A closer look at the upper surface of the main clasp and coronet. Size, design and finish is very well replicated.......you can see the 5 years wear and tear on my Gen clasp :cool: Links and overall finish... My Tc is as it comes out of the box other than a WD40 and baby oil batch - no brushing or polishing to date. The Gen has been worn and possibly polished from time to time to tidy her up? The links on the TC 93250 are thicker than the gen 93150 - but this may also be correct with a Gen 93250? Anyone know on this one????? The screws are a work of 'engineering art', as TC says on his own V3 blog - spot on............ Overall Summary As we all know and recognise the TC bracelet is the best effort to date at a Rolex hollow link oyster. Everything about it reflects the real deal and oozes quality - at less than 5% of the Gen price!!!!!!! For me the only real screaming tell is the coronet on the clasp - and this is highly visible to all on the wrist. Poor coronets are synonymous with 'Reps'. It is not the worst we have seen - but it can easily be improved. I expected and hoped that the V4 would address this issue, but all of the pics I have seen so far seem to be very similar to the V3 - they do not look like the V4 prototype (suspected gen) V4 coronet that TC posted on his blog? So, if you have a great V4 coronet, please post pics ! The weight, feel, fit and finish are excellent and are very hard to discern over the genuine article. The macro pics above do not tell the whole story. When you have them both in hand, or on your wrist side by side they are really quite indistinguishable - unless you is a really GEEKY RISTI! TC in action..................... TC V4 has just landed..............first impressions............ Clasp coronet is a huge improvement and very, very close now...............discernible without expert close side by side inspection! The colour of the base metal (or maybe the brushed finish?) is darker/different - see snaps below. I expect this will rebrush and capecod up back to a Gen or TC V3 colour? I have not examined the links or other details as yet. Gen V TC V4........... Gen v V3 v V4............ I hope that this has helped some new members, or those contemplating a TC oyster upgrade and or watch. So, please add to the the thread with your own thoughts and opinions. Especially, if you are a V4 owner - post up some more pics to compare to mine - Many thanks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT88 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Very nice review and comparison, thank you! Sent from my Bezel using a 116610 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmtlover Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 crown on V4 looks great! Thanks for the review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ck5533 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 crown on V4 looks great! +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Applied a light cape cod to the v4 clasp and it now has a much improved gen sheen to the brushed finish :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavidoc Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Anyone try to fit a TC to a gen? Always been curious about that.......the v4 looks just like the coronet on my 93250. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Thanks for this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeto72 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 TC V3 bracelet fits gen 92350 clasp......so does TC V3 diver's extension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Very nice write up map!Thank goodness you have the scratches on the 93150 so that I can tell them apart in the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Terrific comparison! I'm very excited about getting my TC Sub back now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 I may have to order the V4 after reading this. Awesome write up. E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Great, informative comparison my friend, thanks for taking the time to do this. Be sure to email the link to Thomas, as I am sure he would like to add this to his blog reviews etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted August 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Great, informative comparison my friend, thanks for taking the time to do this. Be sure to email the link to Thomas, as I am sure he would like to add this to his blog reviews etc. Thats a good idea, I will do just that! :-) Thanks for the kind feedback on this guys. Laid up after some major surgery just now, so have the time to do some of the things that have been on the ' watch things to do' list for some time LOL :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CptTripps Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 This is a seriously great post. My only complaint is that the gen clasp wasn't marked with a small sticker or something. It's tough to tell (which is the point) but to really get an idea of which is which, it would be helpful.Again. Great post. Thanks so much.I have the V4, but not a V3 to compare to. I think it's spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted August 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 This is a seriously great post. My only complaint is that the gen clasp wasn't marked with a small sticker or something. It's tough to tell (which is the point) but to really get an idea of which is which, it would be helpful. Again. Great post. Thanks so much. I have the V4, but not a V3 to compare to. I think it's spectacular. The Gen clasp is always the one with the heavy desk dive marks on after 5 years of constant use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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