Just signed for my Noob Factory V3 PAM 177 (P Series) yesterday afternoon, 24th December. Got it (along with a Noob V2 PAM 243 M Series for my brother for Christmas) from our very own MarvellousReplicas 
Firstly, my impressions with this particular TD. Dealing with M has been a fantastic experience. He was pretty quick in responding to my emails and was always polite and patient, no matter how many noob questions I fired at him. And believe me, there were heaps. Thanks again M
There were QC issues with my particular 177 (the inner part of the CG wasn't finished properly) and with my brother's 243 (3 o'clock bezel marker was chipped), so the entire process took longer than anticipated as M had to organise both watches to be fixed up by the manufacturers. No fault in M's part though, more so the manufacturer's. Here's a brief timeline of events:
- 01-Dec-14: Emailed M for stock availability, quickly confirmed
- 02-Dec-14: Payment made via WU
- 03-Dec-14: Payment picked up on M's end
- 04-Dec-14: 1st QC photos received
- 09-Dec-14: 177 CG issue rectified, more QC photos to confirm. Picked up on 243 issue
- 11-Dec-14: 243 bezel marker fixed, QC photos
- 12-Dec-14: Watches sent out via EMS. Tracking number provided
- 24-Dec-14: Received watches via signed courier
Pretty impressive timeline, considering it's Christmas. Stoked I received them right on Christmas Eve too. Just in time!! The watches came packed very neatly and securely in a polystyrene box, with a lot of bubble wrap. Each watch was also encased in a Panerai-branded, moulded silicone protector.
Now, onto the 177. The quality/finish is fantastic. I've read around that some have complained about the lightness of titanium PAMs, but I'm happy to say that I really like the weight. It's definitely lighter than the much thicker and SS 243, but it still has a lot of wrist weight/presence.
The black rubber Panerai strap was included with the watch, but I opted for an extra brown Asso strap for an additional $30USD. The rubber strap is extremely comfortable and from what I can see, very gen-like. I prefer the brown Asso strap in terms of looks, but it's pretty stiff and uncomfortable at the moment. Hopefully it loosens up as I wear it. Looks-wise, the Asso looks quite gen-like to me too. I had to swap the Panerai buckle from the rubber to the Asso, but being a rep Asso strap, the buckle didn't really fit at first as the holes weren't aligned properly without a lot of pushing and shoving.
I'm no expert with AR on crystals, but to me, the AR on both the front crystal and caseback seem pretty well done. The decorated manual-wind Asian 6497 movement is also a marvel to look at through the crystal caseback. The CG sits flush with the case without any gaps at all. CG lever also sits perfectly flush without any protrusion and closes/locks with a firm click. I'm also no expert in the overall shape/curvature of the CG lever, but to me it looks pretty darn good
**QUICK UPDATE | 29-Dec-2014**
On a full wind, the watch managed to last a whopping 58 hours before finally coming to a standstill. That's pretty impressive for a rep, imo. Needless to say, I am extremely satisfied AND impressed!! :woo:
Now, onto some very amateur photos.
The photos don't do the watch any justice. The watch looks superb in person. The brushed finish definitely looks more rugged than the polished finish of say, the PAM 111.
**QUICK UPDATE | 01-Jan-2015**
Happy New Year everyone!! Quick lume shot indoors after a short drive back from work:
Firstly, my impressions with this particular TD. Dealing with M has been a fantastic experience. He was pretty quick in responding to my emails and was always polite and patient, no matter how many noob questions I fired at him. And believe me, there were heaps. Thanks again M
There were QC issues with my particular 177 (the inner part of the CG wasn't finished properly) and with my brother's 243 (3 o'clock bezel marker was chipped), so the entire process took longer than anticipated as M had to organise both watches to be fixed up by the manufacturers. No fault in M's part though, more so the manufacturer's. Here's a brief timeline of events:
- 01-Dec-14: Emailed M for stock availability, quickly confirmed
- 02-Dec-14: Payment made via WU
- 03-Dec-14: Payment picked up on M's end
- 04-Dec-14: 1st QC photos received
- 09-Dec-14: 177 CG issue rectified, more QC photos to confirm. Picked up on 243 issue
- 11-Dec-14: 243 bezel marker fixed, QC photos
- 12-Dec-14: Watches sent out via EMS. Tracking number provided
- 24-Dec-14: Received watches via signed courier
Pretty impressive timeline, considering it's Christmas. Stoked I received them right on Christmas Eve too. Just in time!! The watches came packed very neatly and securely in a polystyrene box, with a lot of bubble wrap. Each watch was also encased in a Panerai-branded, moulded silicone protector.
Now, onto the 177. The quality/finish is fantastic. I've read around that some have complained about the lightness of titanium PAMs, but I'm happy to say that I really like the weight. It's definitely lighter than the much thicker and SS 243, but it still has a lot of wrist weight/presence.
The black rubber Panerai strap was included with the watch, but I opted for an extra brown Asso strap for an additional $30USD. The rubber strap is extremely comfortable and from what I can see, very gen-like. I prefer the brown Asso strap in terms of looks, but it's pretty stiff and uncomfortable at the moment. Hopefully it loosens up as I wear it. Looks-wise, the Asso looks quite gen-like to me too. I had to swap the Panerai buckle from the rubber to the Asso, but being a rep Asso strap, the buckle didn't really fit at first as the holes weren't aligned properly without a lot of pushing and shoving.
I'm no expert with AR on crystals, but to me, the AR on both the front crystal and caseback seem pretty well done. The decorated manual-wind Asian 6497 movement is also a marvel to look at through the crystal caseback. The CG sits flush with the case without any gaps at all. CG lever also sits perfectly flush without any protrusion and closes/locks with a firm click. I'm also no expert in the overall shape/curvature of the CG lever, but to me it looks pretty darn good
**QUICK UPDATE | 29-Dec-2014**
On a full wind, the watch managed to last a whopping 58 hours before finally coming to a standstill. That's pretty impressive for a rep, imo. Needless to say, I am extremely satisfied AND impressed!! :woo:
Now, onto some very amateur photos.
The photos don't do the watch any justice. The watch looks superb in person. The brushed finish definitely looks more rugged than the polished finish of say, the PAM 111.
**QUICK UPDATE | 01-Jan-2015**
Happy New Year everyone!! Quick lume shot indoors after a short drive back from work: