New to Reps and forum. Want to buy a PAM - maybe 448 or 372

[funkyc]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and have just joined. I know next to nothing about reps, but have a few gens, of which I wear my PAM312 and IWC Big Pilot the most. Have to admit that until a few days ago I didn't even know that these 'super' clones existed.

I was actually looking for a new strap for my 312 and fell in love with a brown assolutamente. Little did I know that they are so hard to source...so I started poking around on the forums looking for one when some rep straps caught my eye. Some of these rep straps were attached to rep watches and I was blown away by the details on them.

Then the other day I went to my local Panerai dealer and low and behold they had an XL grey asso strap available. I bought it, but then the sales guy complimented me on my Big Pilot and saying how the big size really matches me and started asking if I had ever considered a 47mm PAM and he pulled out a 424 and put it on my wrist. I absolutely love the PAM 249 and 448's so my heart was almost beating out of my chest when I had this 424 on.

I was so tempted to pull out the credit card and worry about how to pay it off later but then I thought let's have a look at some second hand dealers to see if they have 249 or 448's available as I really do prefer the blue hands over the gold ones on the 424.

Cutting an already very long story short (sorry!), I went online again and these reps came up again. It blew me away that you can buy a rep 448 that is 95% accurate for less money than what my asso strap! And these new rep movements last for a whole week! This is too unbelievable and I really want to get one just to have a play with.

Apart from 448's I also love the 372, so I think I want to get an 448 or a 372 or both but it's so confusing. Thanks to ALE's reference page which I've spent hours looking at (it's amazing - thanks so much for all your hard work ALE!) I've learnt that for 372, a NOOB is the most accurate for the dial but the movement is lacking some details. The ZF has the best movement with the new CLONE4 but the dial is not as nice as the NOOB. I think the front side is probably more important than the back side because not many people look at the back so I think NOOB is the better buy.

Can someone please help me and tell me if that's still accurate today? Most of the threads are over a year old and I've learnt that the rep game moves quickly....also I've found a cheap NOOB 372 and am really close to just ordering it for kicks

Now I have to look at which 448's are the best also - I have spent the whole day on this forum and haven't been able to do much work at the office at all LOL

Sorry for a whole wall of text but this world of reps is exciting and I'm happy to be here

Cheers!

 

[funkyc]

If anyone's interested, here is my asso strap and my 312. Sorry no relevance to the thread at all but I've just installed it so I'm excited!

Oops that last pic is the wrong orientation and yep my 312 is a bit beat up coz it's my daily...new strap looks and feels great though!

 

[shoes]

Classic thread hijack!! Like the new strap though and suits the watch [emoji3].
On topic I have both and personally I think the 372 is a classy watch, I have the noob version but bought it awhile ago so not up to speed with the latest versions. Our resident guru Ale will be best for which version etc...
448 timeless panerai but a bit of a hassle changing straps.

Make sure you order from a trusted dealer and check and check again quality control pictures!!!




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[funkyc]

Thanks for the reply shoes!

What do you think of your Noob version? From my research on here it's supposed to have the best case accuracy wise but the movement is way off.

Someone just messaged me and told me the Noob version is the worst of the 372's so now I'm confused again.

I also think the 448 will be a pain to change the straps, but I think the first thing I'll do when I get my reps is to put better straps on them

 

[funkyc]

Classic thread hijack!! Like the new strap though and suits the watch [emoji3].

Thanks yeah I think it looks good too, it's a bit stiff as it's new but I think after a few days of wear it should be soft and pliable.

Make sure you order from a trusted dealer and check and check again quality control pictures!!!

What do you mean by this? Do they make them to order and I have to check on them to make sure they make it well? Do I just ask them to send me pics?

 

[shoes]

The comment about trusted dealers is for the original poster of this thread. Straps should be pretty standard but my supplier in Vietnam does send me pictures before he makes the strap just to show me the colour and stitching..


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[funkyc]

The comment about trusted dealers is for the original poster of this thread. Straps should be pretty standard but my supplier in Vietnam does send me pictures before he makes the strap just to show me the colour and stitching..

Thanks shoes, I am the OP of this thread haha so you were talking about getting straps and pics from strap makers, I thought you meant when ordering the watches! Thanks for the tip as I've never bought any third party straps either

 

[kevin.123]

If you don't mind you should also look it up at the member to member sales section as there's quite a selections of it they some members might not want in pursuit of another brands and etc.

It really depends who you're getting it from, trusted dealer or not you should also see the review of others who have brought it from them and review their service and etc.

If that particular model from dealer a does not have it, dealer b might have it.. so it's always better to work with more research as I think you've done quite a lot before this thread was out.

Nevertheless good luck and I hope this helps. =)

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[funkyc]

If you don't mind you should also look it up at the member to member sales section as there's quite a selections of it they some members might not want in pursuit of another brands and etc.

It really depends who you're getting it from, trusted dealer or not you should also see the review of others who have brought it from them and review their service and etc.

If that particular model from dealer a does not have it, dealer b might have it.. so it's always better to work with more research as I think you've done quite a lot before this thread was out.

Nevertheless good luck and I hope this helps. =)

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Yep the more I read the more I realise I need to do more research before I take the leap. Thanks!

 

[ALE7575]

Yep the more I read the more I realise I need to do more research before I take the leap. Thanks!

This is the best and the wiser of this thread
Do it !!

ALE

 

[funkyc]

This is the best and the wiser of this thread
Do it !!

ALE

@ALE
Just want to take this opportunity to thank you for the massive effort you have put into the Review Guide thread with all the detailed information about all the different models. All I can say is WOW and THANKS! I have learnt the most from just that thread alone!

Interesting that I've chosen two watches with the same movement, and this movement is what is stopping both of them from ever becoming super reps.

Wonder if the Noob 372 will ever be released with an improved movement and also if there will ever be a combined SF case but ZF clone 4 movement 448.....

This new hobby certainly is interesting

 

[gionaidas]

Sir where could I find this screw driver ? Thank you


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[funkyc]

Sir where could I find this screw driver ? Thank you

The screwdriver in my pics comes in the box with my gen PAM312

 

[Jcgul]

Having been surrounded by real Pams at work, and being on the edge of pulling the trigger on a 372 myself, I went ahead and bought a noob 127 in m2m just as a "demo"... Not only is everyone around me drooling over my watch, but I have 10 more Pams now, all super reps, that I love, and impress me daily in their quality. I really see no need in buying the gens at this point as a result. Welcome to the club, and you better invest in a bigger watch box soon, because I'm sure you'll need it!

 

[funkyc]

Having been surrounded by real Pams at work, and being on the edge of pulling the trigger on a 372 myself, I went ahead and bought a noob 127 in m2m just as a "demo"... Not only is everyone around me drooling over my watch, but I have 10 more Pams now, all super reps, that I love, and impress me daily in their quality. I really see no need in buying the gens at this point as a result. Welcome to the club, and you better invest in a bigger watch box soon, because I'm sure you'll need it!

Thanks the more I poke around the more tempted I am to get some

Funny u mention new watch box coz I'm also considering getting a new watch box too coz I have a few gens and more than likely will have a few reps on the way soon too.

What models do you have? All super reps? Wow

 

[Jcgul]

Thanks the more I poke around the more tempted I am to get some

Funny u mention new watch box coz I'm also considering getting a new watch box too coz I have a few gens and more than likely will have a few reps on the way soon too.

What models do you have? All super reps? Wow

Right now in the watch box as far as pams are concerned, I've got a 243, (3) noob 111 v3's, a 127, modded to hell 253, modded up 364, 005, and a DLC'd 005. Love each and every one... And the beauty of Pams is that I can get away with a sick rotation that I ENJOY, without making me look too snobbish/rich because they all look similar enough to the average person that they think I'm just swapping straps between a couple watches. Works out for all parties involved...