Bokey TimeHello everyone, this is Bokey Watch Industry. In this episode, we bring you a detailed review comparing the APS Factory Panda Daytona with the C Factory Panda Daytona. The APS Factory Panda Daytona is equipped with a Shanghai 4130 movement, which makes its first appearance in the Zhanxi market, and its stability and repair rate are temporarily unconfirmed. The C Factory V3 version Panda Daytona still features the domestic chronograph highlight – the Dandong 4130 movement. Below, we will explain the advantages of the C Factory V3 Panda Daytona compared to the APS Factory model.
Review: APS Factory Panda Daytona vs. C Factory V3 Panda Daytona
First, we can see that the APS Factory version is noticeably too white (similar to the BT Factory version), while the C Factory V3 Panda Daytona looks more comfortable and closer to the original version. (Note: The white Daytona with black text stickers is from CLEAN Factory, and the green-background white text stickers are from APS Factory.)
In terms of the watch crystal, the APS factory uses anti-reflective coated sapphire glass, which looks a bit more transparent than that of the C factory. However, compared with the original version, its transparency is not as high as that of the APS factory. Bokey believes that the C factory’s glass is more in line with the genuine product. Moreover, the anti-reflective coated sapphire glass has two major drawbacks. First, it is not scratch-resistant in the later stage. Second, it is prone to leaving fingerprints.
Ceramic circle lettering can’t see much difference, but whether the font will fade and paint off APS factory still needs market verification, and C factory does not need to worry about this problem.
The details of the dial are compared. Through the picture, you can see that the characters of the APS factory will be thinner, and they are not as thick and three-dimensional as those of the C factory.
In terms of the hands, both are quite good, but there is still a slight difference in the central axis. The axis of the C Factory Panda Daytona is closer to the original version, where you can see the solid shaft below, while the APS Factory Panda Daytona’s axis appears to be merely crafted on the hand (similar to the approach of BT Factory). This detail is difficult to detect without using a macro lens.
Looking at the track fonts of the three sub-dials, through macro images, the fonts of the APS Factory version are slightly sunken below the track ring, while the fonts of the C Factory Panda Daytona are raised above the track ring, appearing more three-dimensional and full without breaks. This is also a key point for identifying C Factory Daytonas, as many factories cannot achieve this craftsmanship.
Looking at the six o’clock position again, the C factory still performed well when the magnification was larger than that of the APS factory.
In terms of the case, both are of similar workmanship, both are 904L stainless steel. The thickness is also 12.2 mm. (Note: The APS factory head is a blue protective film, which can be torn off.)
The workmanship of the back cover is comparable to that of the other two, so I can’t see much difference.
As for the movement, the APS factory uses the Shanghai 4130 movement, and the C factory uses the Dandong 4130 movement. The Dandong 4130 movement is believed to be well known to many people, and the stability accuracy is very high. Coupled with 70 hours of power, when the N factory was invited to drink tea two years ago, this Dandong 4130 movement was once hyped! The Shanghai 4130 movement was developed this year, and the stability has yet to be verified by the market. As an aside, whether it is the Dandong 4130 movement or the Shanghai 4130 movement, both movements have 70 hours of dynamic storage. The actual test of Bokey micro-23489689 is not what the APS factory advertised as “the 4130 on the market has only 38 hours of propaganda”. Bokey thinks the APS factory is a bit unkind. The Dandong 4130 movement also has 72 hours of kinetic energy. There is no need to mislead consumers in order to promote new products! Going back to the movement, you can see the big difference between the two in grinding through the pictures. The Shanghai 4130 will be worse than the Dandong 4130 in grinding, and the font is relatively shallow, not as deep as the Dandong 4130. However, the Shanghai 4130 has the code turned on at 11 o’clock, while the Dandong 4130 movement does not.
Some watch friends may ask, how can I tell at a glance whether it is a Shanghai 4130 or a Dandong 4130 movement?
In fact, the direction of the outer pile of the balance wheel can be quickly distinguished. The outer pile of the Shanghai 4130 movement is upward, while the Dandong 4130 movement is downward.
In terms of straps, both are made of 904L stainless steel. In terms of texture and polishing, Factory C is still a little better, it will be whiter and the wire drawing will be more delicate.
In addition, the button code APS factory is V7Z, and the C factory is 7CD.
In summary, we can see that the APS Factory still falls short in terms of dial detail replication. For a top-tier replica watch, the dial is always a top priority for consumers. We hope APS Factory can upgrade and improve in the future. If you want to get the best-of-the-best Rolex Panda Daytona, Bokey still recommends choosing the C Factory V3 version Panda Daytona first.
