Noob V4 caseset vs new HF caseset (PICS)

[Bozz]

Anticipated to ALE, I would have compared the Noob caseset 390 (V4) and the new HF caseset. My Noob V4 caseset encased a 005, old dial and crown. Got from Toro.
Currently it has a HF 367 inside, my daily beater. The new HF caseset is a 000, latest release.
As you can see from my pics, the two shapes are very similar, although I still find the V4 Noob more accurate, albeit slightly.
The most obvious difference is that the edges are extremely sharp on HF caseset, whereas the edges are slightly smoothed on Noob.
In my opinion Noob it's closer to the gen, if you could get some pics of an gen, we could understand better. And now some pics.

 

[Bozz]

I've not photographed both CGs because they were modded, therefore not suitable for a comparo.
Now the 000 is disassembled. I'm trying to soften a bit the edges of the case.

 

[ewing]

V4?
who's selling those?
I'm trying to get a decent case-set for a project...

 

[ebzen02]

How can I source these cases?

 

[granvino]

Cases? As far as I know, you must buy a Noob 390 after you made sure is the V4, then do what you decide with it. The fact is the naked eye can't detect the difference. I just got back from a couple of drinks with some guys here, one of them an active Risti and he did not 'detect' my new (lightly modded) H Factory zero.

 

[Bozz]

V4?
who's selling those?
I'm trying to get a decent case-set for a project...

As wrote granvino, Noob 390 comes on last caseset, known also as V4. Recently some other Noob watches, like my last 005, landed with a V4 instead of the old V3.
Last HF caseset comes with all HF historic luminors, but HF sometime mix old and new parts.
All my Luminors ordered from sead are with the last HF caseset, the special price from Toro (HF390 and HF113) landed with the old caseset (ticker bezel and old CG)

 

[Bozz]

Some gens. Edges are slighly smooth, not perfectly sharp.

 

[kampachi]

Nice pics bozz. I've always used this very pic to use as a guide for my mods. Edges are not too sharp yet not soften to a point where it loses its definition.

Out of topic but as for the pin, it is actually chamfered and not sunken. Impossible to achieve with only your hand.

A good shot of the gen pin:

 

[Bozz]

Nice pics bozz. I've always used this very pic to use as a guide for my mods. Edges are not too sharp yet not soften to a point where it loses its definition.

Yes, Noob case is very close to this goal. Note that the cg pin can be flushed or slightly sunken, both ways are correct.

Out of topic but as for the pin, it is actually chamfered and not sunken. Impossible to achieve with only your hand.

A good shot of the gen pin:

Yes mate, my goal when I worked on CG pins:

 

[Bozz]

Gen 005 CG (mikewatch pics)

 

[Bozz]

Other pics from an old gen sale (114 M-series):

I've a doubt, maybe the old Noob V3 is good for older Luminors to L and M-series?

 

[kilowattore]

Thanks a lot Bozz, beautiful comparison

I agree on the edges, very sharp in new H cases (but I like it).
Noob case is overall maybe more accurate, but I think the lug shape is better in new H fac, what do you think?

 

[Bozz]

Noob case is overall maybe more accurate, but I think the lug shape is better in new H fac, what do you think?

Yes, true. More accurate

 

[set2374]

I can't say which case is more accurate because they both look good. What does seem apparent is that HF have improved the way they finish their cases. I had an HF 111 in 2013 from certain and in certain places between the lugs you could see some waves in the finish from over-polishing. Other little details were less than perfect. I am not seeing any of that in these pictures. HF is definitely staying competitive with this case.

 

[markiemark]

V4 ftw!

 

[Bozz]

I can't say which case is more accurate because they both look good. What does seem apparent is that HF have improved the way they finish their cases. I had an HF 111 in 2013 from certain and in certain places between the lugs you could see some waves in the finish from over-polishing. Other little details were less than perfect. I am not seeing any of that in these pictures. HF is definitely staying competitive with this case.

yes, both are very good and the price similar (from sead: $200 an HF and +/- $240 a Noob) only it depends on the preference of the buyer

 

[electric]

Great comparison!

 

[mikewatch]

Just got my first H Bozz and right off the bat the first thing was the sharper edges for sure. This being such an easy fix though to soften the lugs a tad seems pretty simple. I will get you some better gen pics soon but here are some camera phones ones. Overall I agree that Noob is better. I got a H maker 390 and when replacing the stem their was a keyless issue so had to do a total dial off tear down. My example did not have any recessed or special looking lume. Pretty much what we have seen for years, oddly this new case H is using 2 movement tabs per side are still used which I always assumed was due to the fact that their tolerances are not that great. Overall massive improvement to the case and CG other than the edges being too sharp. When I pick up a high modded Noob or a gen I have to look closer at the dial or the CB of course to tell but I can feel the H maker right away with those to hard edges. Hard to put a finger on it but it also doesn't seem to have the same level of quality as the Noob in regards to the metal used or something. I know the area between the lugs is suppose to look better and does in pics but for a base project I would still stick with a V4 Noob case as well and CG for that matter. But totally disagree still about the crown, this 390 didn't make it 15 minutes before getting rid of it and putting on a gen. Polished rep or not a gen crown transforms the watch and is super cheap and easy to find.

Pics suck I know, gen has the green shark, Noob V4 the washed black and the H maker the OEM PV strap.
These pics are so bad I don't think they even help but I agree with Bozz that you can for sure feel the H edges need to be softened as compared to an unpolished and new gen you can feel it right away.

 

[Bozz]

Thank you Mike, useful pics!

 

[Bozz]

The structure of the new HF cases is always the same, incorrect.
It's in two parts, one containing the crystal and the other for movement, as for the 127.