NOOB quality

[blim]

I just received my PAM390N NOOB today in the mail and was really excited to finally get it on the wrist.

However, again I encountered the same problem as my PAM111 (NOOB) where the screw bars threads were so rough and tight.

Spent about 2 hours trying to unscrew it and in the end, not only did I not manage to get it out, the screw bar is now permanently stuck inside because there screw bar head does not have enough purchase for a screw driver.

The threading on the case was already subpar and paired with whoever decided to do that screwbar made it impossible to unscrew.

Suffice to say, my experience with 2 NOOB products in a span of 1 month has been abysmal.

PAM111 - 10min slow in a span of 24hrs
PAM390 - permanently stuck screw bar

I am basically stuck with 2 NOOB products that are cannot be used and have been a nightmare to own. Basically dumped them in the rubbish bin. Expensive lesson

I'll be staying away from NOOB products in future.

 

[blim]

Initially I thought it might be the NOOB screw bars, so I took the XF screw bars and tried them on the the NOOB cases.

It confirmed that the threading on the NOOB cases were badly done. The XF screw bars would get stuck in the midst of turning and force needed to be applied to get them to continue to move in or out. This didn't happen on my XF cases where the bars screwed in smoothly with minimal force.

Your mileage might vary, but unfortunately, I'm done with this.

 

[Cybermorph]

I just received my PAM390N NOOB today in the mail and was really excited to finally get it on the wrist.

However, again I encountered the same problem as my PAM111 (NOOB) where the screw bars threads were so rough and tight.

Spent about 2 hours trying to unscrew it and in the end, not only did I not manage to get it out, the screw bar is now permanently stuck inside because there screw bar head does not have enough purchase for a screw driver.

The threading on the case was already subpar and paired with whoever decided to do that screwbar made it impossible to unscrew.

Suffice to say, my experience with 2 NOOB products in a span of 1 month has been abysmal.

PAM111 - 10min slow in a span of 24hrs
PAM390 - permanently stuck screw bar

I am basically stuck with 2 NOOB products that are cannot be used and have been a nightmare to own. Basically dumped them in the rubbish bin. Expensive lesson

I'll be staying away from NOOB products in future.

Screw bar on the lugs for the strap? Just received a Noob PAM 111 and took off and replaced no problem. Thank god. But luminosity not great but not sure how much Sun or UV it needs.

Sent from my GM1925 using Tapatalk

 

[blim]

For me it was both.
The screw bars from NOOB did not screw smoothly on my XF and was prone to getting stuck

The XF bars on the NOOB case also would get slightly jammed and I needed force to get them to turn.

I didn't have any issues of either kind with my XF purchases

 

[rcom440]

For me it was both.
The screw bars from NOOB did not screw smoothly on my XF and was prone to getting stuck

The XF bars on the NOOB case also would get slightly jammed and I needed force to get them to turn.

I didn't have any issues of either kind with my XF purchases

Did you try to clean and lubricate them? WD40

 

[blim]

Did you try to clean and lubricate them? WD40

Didn't work.
Could not even get the stuck one to turn. Ended up the whole screw bar head was ruined and permanently stuck inside
Tried lube, tried different screw drivers. Didn't budge at all.
Threw the watch away out of frustration going at it for 2 hours and knowing it was no longer possible to remove the bar

 

[rcom440]

Didn't work.
Could not even get the stuck one to turn. Ended up the whole screw bar head was ruined and permanently stuck inside
Tried lube, tried different screw drivers. Didn't budge at all.
Threw the watch away out of frustration going at it for 2 hours and knowing it was no longer possible to remove the bar

its always good to take time doing things like that. It seems it's too late now but another thing that could help is heat up those screws.
Can you post pics?

 

[blim]

its always good to take time doing things like that. It seems it's too late now but another thing that could help is heat up those screws.
Can you post pics?

Regrettably I didn't take pictures.

It's in the rubbish together with the PAM111 on their way to the landfill or incinerators
the old NOOB products of the past didn't have issues like this

I'm inclined to believe they weren't made by NOOB. Probably just using the name or the case supplier

The crown guard on the PAM390 was different from the PAM 111 although they were both sold as NOOB.

The operation of the crown guard on the 390 was smooth,similar to the feel on my XF. The amount of force required to open and close was significantly different. Like a huge difference.

The AR on the 390 was milky bluish film that was not found on the 111

All these differences make me suspect it's just NOOB in name but a mix of different sub contractors which might explain those 2 NOOB lemons I received

 

[KOT1917]

By no means am I justifying the situation with the new watch, however, this is not a defeat.
Even so, this can happen at any time and with everyone on any luminor, with screw (and on a quick change, the pusher may collapse).
When a screw with a dead slot got stuck, I selected it with a hammer with a thick needle. And by the way, after that, the thread flew off the screw, and not from the case.
After that, you just have to put in the spring bars, with which many new pams models are being born right now.

Again, this is luck, but a noob quality indicator. In the one topic, lume was glow at parnis level. That falls off CG, now the rods, and this despite the fact that the latest models have many not typical for NOOB shortcomings of the models themselves, in addition to quality.

Thank you for your feedback, it really makes sense to know, and for many it will help to form an opinion, also everyone has their own level of patience and technical skills, just advice not to "sentence" the hours, relax, calm down and try with a specific goal and with a cool head ...

 

[rcom440]

your 111 probably just needs watch regulation - such a easy fix. Those movements are very easy to service.

 

[blim]

your 111 probably just needs watch regulation - such a easy fix. Those movements are very easy to service.

Would be nice if that was just the only issue
the PAM111 I received also had the screw bar issues
guess I'll just have to chalk it up to my luck in striking be the jackpot of 2 lemons in a row

 

[rcom440]

Would be nice if that was just the only issue
the PAM111 I received also had the screw bar issues
guess I'll just have to chalk it up to my luck in striking be the jackpot of 2 lemons in a row

Two lemons in a row. Maybe you are right and there is something going on with “noob” quality.

 

[pollyprissypants]

blim what are your thoughts on the quality of the case on your XF? I've got a V11 Noob PAM111 and the bezel isn't seated perfectly against the midcase. Haven't attempted to fix yet..

 

[Sharki06]

i have a similar with an old NOOB v3 , spring bar have been stuck , but after several unscrew / screw, surely the screw thread was faulty ... , i have cutted the old one and replace them by this : https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B08...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and work pretty well now ! i don't know if you can try to change them ?

 

[blim]

blim what are your thoughts on the quality of the case on your XF? I've got a V11 Noob PAM111 and the bezel isn't seated perfectly against the midcase. Haven't attempted to fix yet..

So far I've been pretty satisfied with my 2 XF purchases (PAM000 and PAM005). I haven't really found any major issues with the cases of both.
I am waiting on a XF PAM111. Hope it's the same positive experience for the XF PAM111.

In terms of the case, I feel that XF put more attention into the details. Little things that most of the time are overlooked in the user experience.

1. The provided XF screw bars are well threaded and of the appropriate length. They screw in smoothly and effortlessly and when fully screwed in, they are polished on the flat end and almost flush with the case similar to the gen.
The NOOB screw bars are badly threaded, too short and the workmanship is shoddy. The ends of the screw bar are not flat, not polished and not flush with the case. There is a gaping hole that can be seen in the other end.
Even the metal used by the NOOB screw bars seem inferior. They are softer than the metal used on the XF bars.

2. The screw bars holes on the XF case itself are also well threaded, they accept the XF screw bars smoothly with none of the jamming I experienced on the NOOB cases.

3. The XF lugs are fashioned closer to the gen (slightly thinner) not as chunky as the NOOB

4. The four corners or edges (however you want to call it) are more curved on the XF, also closer to the gen. The downturned angle of the NOOB is closer to horizontal. (less acute angle)

5. The crown guard on my XF came with the screws well fitted (although I still put some thread locker later for peace of mind). My CG of my PAM 111 from NOOB came loose after a couple of uses.

6. The AR on the XF appears to be colourless and single sided. The NOOB PAM111 uses double AR (nicer to look at but inaccurate) while the NOOB PAM390 AR had this nasty bluish milky sheen to it when viewed at an angle.

If I could change, I might just change the CG, only because I like the snappy feeling of the NOOB CG (but the XF CG is not a deal breaker).
It's not that the XF CG operation is bad, you can still see and feel the pressure and compression, but the operation is smoother (closer to gen).
NOOB has this super tight CG that is extremely snappy and almost requires prying to open. The gen is somewhere in between these 2 but closer to the XF.

I might change the CG one day just for kicks. You can get them from Trusty if you don't like the XF CG, I'm waiting for a set which I bought as a backup.

 

[pollyprissypants]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm happy with everything on my Noob expect the case. The quality of the case is bit disappointing IMHO. Think I'll grab one of the XF models to see how it stacks up..

 

[pollyprissypants]

Double post

 

[Thewatchwolf]

This is the reason I have went ahead and replaced all of my screw bars with screw top spring bars. It’s not worth the hassle of keeping the original strap screws because you’re bound to run into issues at some point. I’ve been there multiple times when I first started collecting. Save yourself future headaches and swap them out.

 

[sukwonee]

Man....this is such a Shame on Noob.

About 2 months ago, a friend of mine wanted a 111 replica and asked me what version he should get. This was before Noob re-released V12. I told him to get XF (well he didn't really have a choice I guess). I am glad he got that over noob and he loves it although he is not as picky as some of us here lol.

At the time, trusty time was giving out free lizard skin straps too and 20 or 30 dollars off the watch.

 

[blim]

This is the reason I have went ahead and replaced all of my screw bars with screw top spring bars. It’s not worth the hassle of keeping the original strap screws because you’re bound to run into issues at some point. I’ve been there multiple times when I first started collecting. Save yourself future headaches and swap them out.

Mind sharing where you bought those screw bar top spring bars?