390 Gen vs. Noob 390 .. Too close for comfort!! Did I get scammed?

[ryllz]

All.. as some of you know i recently just received my Gen 390.. here are a couple pics below compared to my stock Noob 390. It is making me nervous as they are almost identical?? Can you guys see some tells amd/or differences?? Without opening the caseback is there anyway to authenticate my Gen 390? All #'s matched on the Gen 390 caseback, tags, barcode labels of brown outer box, came in the SE huge box (triple box), scroll certificate identifying same xxxx/2000 etc..

Even after all that it makes me nervous to think I got a rep?!?! Let me know what you guys think.. this came from a very reputable seller in paneristi, WUs, Timezone.. he's pretty well known.. Actually stopping by my AD tomorrow to have them open the caseback and authenticate movement... thats how nervous i am.. lol..

 

[BuddhistGirafe]

Regardless of what we tell you I doubt you'll feel comfortable either way haha. I don't know Pam's well enough to know but I hope you get a piece of mind soon

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[Evora]

Thtat's why I bought some gen, but now quite only reps... You can't see/feel the difference

It's the same gen as the pics in your thread (bezel, crown, crown tube, polishing, lugs...

 

[d4m.test]

Hi and thanks for sharing. Both look fantastic but what does amaze me, is if there is no noticeable difference at all in the way (machining/precision/threads) that the winding or time-setting feels, the cg-lever moves or even the wristfeel itself is. Beyond looks are they really as close as that and You really can´t tell the difference?
Amazing, looking forward to an update of this thread.

Congrats on both

 

[kilowattore]

Wow, I don't think I will be selling my 390 anytime soon

Anyway let me guess, gen is on brown strap?

 

[Evora]

I tought to make some gen vs rep threads since I have some same gen & rep models. I'm quite always impressed by the quality of these reps. PAM's are easy to rep, but the assembly quality, materials, the accuracy level is simply amazing on most of the PAM's rep.

I will do :

PAM176 Noob vs PAM176
PAM390KW&Noob vs PAM390
PAM210HF vs PAM210
PAM288HF vs PAM288
PAM505KW vs PAM505
I need a rep PAM372 as I have the gen
For the other, no repped yet as they are not models on demand (PAM425/338)

Evora

 

[kilowattore]

I tought to make some gen vs rep threads since I have some same gen & rep models. I'm quite always impressed by the quality of these reps. PAM's are easy to rep, but the assembly quality, materials, the accuracy level is simply amazing on most of the PAM's rep.

I will do :

PAM176 Noob vs PAM176
PAM390KW&Noob vs PAM390
PAM210HF vs PAM210
PAM288HF vs PAM288
PAM505KW vs PAM505
I need a rep PAM372 as I have the gen
For the other, no repped yet as they are not models on demand (PAM425/338)

Evora

It would be very interesting, esp. regarding accuracy of colors, printing quality and such, which I always find difficult to judge from pics.

 

[gvln]

as i heard the rep one has sousage digits and gen digits are more flat and not above the dial .
so ryllz and evora can u confirm it?
another differences are the serial # - N has a diff font and 2 also has diff shape

 

[d4m.test]

If this is an exam.. It would be an epic fail for me. Lol.. Both look identical to me. Wtf

 

[AP_VC]

Dude, you bought it from DavidSW, this guy buys straight from AD's and resells them (grey market) so no way you got a rep, plus look at the finishing of the hands edges, regardless of how good the Noob 390N is, a quick look at both reveals the rep pretty easily...
And please hide your gen serials!

 

[p2766479]

If this is an exam.. It would be an epic fail for me. Lol.. Both look identical to me. Wtf

I just received a NOOB N PAM 390, It is an amazing Rep!

When I go Gen shopping I would use ALE's guide to find PAMs that are low class reps to buy as GEN to mix with the super reps!

The 390 is a super rep!

 

[Bozz]

Left/bottom is rep, right/top is gen

Differences:

- Caseset mirror finishing
- Crown (shape and finishing)
- Crown guard (CG pin)
- Case back (different font/deep engraving of serial number)
- Cannon pinion
- Sausage color on dial indexes

All details are unnoticeable at naked eye. Noob 390N is one of my favourite reps (I built/modded over seven 390s)

I'd like to know if the hands colour is similar. Do you can take some pics under daylight? Btw your pics confirm the very good shape of the Noob 390N caseset, near perfect.

You bought a 390 B&P, near impossible to sell a fake with all documents and sticks

 

[ryllz]

AP_VC... I am not questioning the person I bought it from at all... again he is a very reputable reseller in the gray market.. As a matter of fact as soon as I received this PAM yesterday I was in contact with him yesterday afternoon to let him know that I received it and that im sending it onto the AD to get it authenticated today... he was completely confident about it and asked me to let him know the results. He also provided a short description of his process in acquiring his pieces. As a matter of fact I am in the process of offering to buy from him my 4th Gen Pam! If the price is right im going to buy it today!! So its not whom i bought it from that im concern with.. its who he bought it from his sources. As a reseller he goes through a # of pieces everyday.. i was just concerned that a Rep may have slipped through the cracks. Being a member in these rep forums makes me at least very paranoid of ever being sold a Rep piece for Gen prices. And as we all know everything is easily repped these days! including boxes, certificates, scrolls, etc.. What put it over the top was tht though it did come from an AD it came from a Panerai Boutique in Shanghai... and well you know.. its China.. most of the reps originates from there.. so alarm bells rang in my head.

Furthermore.. i stared and compared between this Gen and my noob rep... man undetectible difference o my untrained eye! I actually applaud the noob factory for making such a great rep! Wrist presence is the same even.. slight difference in the ticking sound when held to your ear.. but I must not have a trained eye as I cant detect hardly any difference and guys here like Bozz and Evora can EASILY pick out the differences and flaws between the 2... such was the reason really for this post. 1 to get experts like them chime in..2 give me a boost of damn comfidence after pending thousands of my money.. LOL...

Though i know my rep is as good as Gen.. i just prefer owning Gens and will continue to as long as the wallet approves.. Im actually in search for a good 305 rep too to see the diff with my 305.. I like where Evora is going with his post of putting a variety of Rep vs. Gen post.. Would be great to see them!! Lastly whats the deal with hiding the Serial #'s? I see them all over p.com, wus, tz, etc..

 

[Bozz]

save this pics for the guide!

 

[Nick1980]

Gen is on Asso ).
But they're almost identical!

 

[jes007]

Congrats on ur purchase! The only diff would be the color of the hands in daylight and under yellow indoor lighting. Ive noticed my noob looking gold in sunlight and almost pink/ copper under indoor lighting. Thats an easy way i guess.


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[FourthInt]

Would opening the caseback help the most in trying figure it out? Id love a gen PAM but like OP, I'd always be wary until I get it officially authenticated.

 

[weargle]

And thus endeth my desire to get a gen Pam. hahaha

 

[P4GTR]

Always wonder why people are scared to pop a case back off. 10 seconds and a ball of tape. Looking at the movement is one of the most fascinating parts of a gen IMO.

 

[mysterio]

Lastly whats the deal with hiding the Serial #'s? I see them all over p.com, wus, tz, etc..

The deal is that you wouldn't want to be identified on gen sites as a rep owner. It would seriously hurt your chances should you think of unloading the gen PAMs there. But you can always unload them here. Lots of members buy gens too.