APS factory recently revealed their plans to release the Panda Daytona in black and white variants, with both models now freshly available. Questions arise regarding the quality of these new releases and whether they merit a purchase. It’s prudent to exercise patience in this regard; lacking reviews and comparisons, it remains uncertain whether they surpass offerings from Clean or if they meet the desired standards. Time will be the ultimate arbiter, providing clarity on their performance and worthiness.
Prior to APS’s emergence, enthusiasts had access to super clone 4130 Daytonas from Clean, BT, King, and New Noob. These factories utilized the Dandong 4130, widely regarded as the premier clone movement in the super 1:1 replica watch market. Despite the variety of options, there’s a notable preference for Clean’s Daytonas. Their models consistently sell out swiftly upon release, creating a scenario where obtaining one promptly requires additional expenditure through third-party channels since Clean often faces stock shortages.
Regarding the Daytona produced by APS, it seems unlikely that they will surpass Clean and dominate the market entirely. I’ve had the opportunity to compare the two watches, and in my assessment, the APS version falls short of Clean’s standards. Some details, such as the dial printing, are notably inferior to those of Clean’s Daytona.
In terms of movement, APS employs the Shanghai Jinghe 4130 movement. Shanghai Jinghe is a prominent movement manufacturer in China, similar to Dandong and Sea-gull. They have previously produced the 3120 and 4302 movements (utilized in AP) as well as the 240 movement (used in Patek). This marks the first instance of their 4130 movement being employed in a AAA replica Rolex Daytona. While I have confidence in its accuracy, the stability of the Shanghai 4130 remains to be tested. The Dandong 4130 movement is renowned for its stability, with Clean having sold thousands of Daytonas without any reported issues with this movement.
Upon comparing the Shanghai 4130 and Dandong 4130 movements, there appears to be little difference between them. However, I still advise against purchasing the Daytona from APS at this juncture.