Panerai Luminor 1950 VS Factory Review

The Panerai Luminor 1950 model is produced by VS Factory with a carbon fiber and Carbotech case, standard case diameter and 7750 automatic chronograph movement architecture. It is among the most successful 1:1 super clone watch reviews on the market, with its sapphire crystal AR coating glass, original case tolerances and detailed workmanship.

Case and Body Workmanship

If precious metals are the most luxurious and steel is the most useful material, what do you think is the most life-friendly material? The answer is ceramics. Why am I saying this? Because ceramic is the material with the softest character; It gives a slight coolness when it touches the skin, and when worn for a long time, it adapts to body temperature and provides an even more comfortable feeling. In terms of appearance, it has a softness and elegance that other materials cannot reach.

Now let me introduce you to Panerai PAM00438, produced by VS Factory. VS has become one of the pioneers of this field in the market with its delicate workmanship and stable working mechanism regarding Panerai.

Which of the replica versions on the market is closest to the original?

I would definitely like to tell you about the development history of Panerai 438.

First period: Seagull mechanism

The balance wheel was in position 6.

Second period: Shanghai mechanism

The 7750's bridge plate was a modified version and made a big splash at the time; because when looking at the Shanghai mechanism from the reverse side after the bridge plate was replaced, the balance wheel looked similar to the balance wheel at position 7 of the original.

Disadvantage: The position of the balance wheel still could not be the same as the original.

Third period: VS V1 version

White movement based on caliber 441 P9001, with black plated bridge plate; the balance wheel was in position 7, the same as the original.

Movement and Caliber Performance

Advantage: The balance wheel is the same as the original, when the mechanism is viewed from the back, it cannot be detected at a glance that it is fake.

Disadvantage: The mechanism bearing is white, the bottom of the balance wheel is white; If you are an experienced watch enthusiast, you can tell that this is a replica at a glance.

Fourth period: VS V2 version

Brand new, all black mechanism; Each piece is disassembled one by one and passed through vacuum ADLC amorphous diamond carbon coating, truly reaching a 1:1 level.

Advantage: The appearance, color and function of the mechanism are completely improved, the same as the original; The similarity rate is up to 98 percent.

Disadvantage: None. The top-end version on the market. If I had to say one flaw, it would be that it is a bit expensive; But the more you pay, the better quality product you get.

Finally, the difference between the black mechanism before and after improvement compared to the original:

Each case is then machined and polished by hand; This is a stage that truly tests the skill of the embroidery master. The machined cases of VS438 are extremely finely crafted and have an unusual texture feel.

▼ Semi-finished QC output

Going through strict QC quality control; Each processed semi-finished product is examined one by one for possible defects, and those found to be defective are eliminated without exception. It is also ensured that each part is interchangeable with the original. Only after this is the product completed!

You can examine the superior workmanship of VS438 in the image above.

If you made it to the end of the article, I hope this article was useful to you. We will share more detailed reviews in the coming days.