Pam088 H Factory? As good as Noob's NWBIG model?

[ShimaRoosman]

Hey Guys,
Just about to pull the trigger and buy this 088 from ToroBravos but I noticed its from the H factory.

I wanted a NWBIG Panerai with GMT function, but the seller tells me they don't have Noob factory anymore (the factory who make NWBIG Pams)

Bit disappointed, does anybody have any comments on how these compare to the noob models? If its not also NWBIG standard, then I'll probably pass, but apparently noob are no longer making Pams so they are all discontinued

Attached are some photos of the watch that he sent me

Thanks

 

[d4m.test]

Hi take a look at the sticky posts there are a lot of compare guides

Sent from the RWI App

 

[mysterio]

If you read the PAM Guide (all that hard work and effort gone to waste if you don't really), you would see that the particular watch in the pictures is a PAM088 H-factory I-series, which is classified as Suiper Rep bordering on lower status. The H-factory N-series would be better, and the Noob factory O-series would be the best, but the one available at toro's is just a bit lower in classification. The NWBIG list as I understand it, only lists the top version for each model there, which would be the Noob factory version. But it doesn't mean that the H-factory releases are bad, just not as good as the Noob release.

 

[ShimaRoosman]

Hi take a look at the sticky posts there are a lot of compare guides

Sent from the RWI App

I skimmed through the big factory-comparison guide for the cases just but its quite hard for me to digest as I dont really have an eagle eye for this sort of stuff. It seems like H factory make a pretty awesome replica, if you put it against noob, in my complete novice opinion, but I just wanted some sort of thumbs up or down from some Panerai experts here? The thing that sold me was the NWBIG status, and I don't really wanna buy something that isn't as good :/

 

[ShimaRoosman]

If you read the PAM Guide (all that hard work and effort gone to waste if you don't really), you would see that the particular watch in the pictures is a PAM088 H-factory I-series, which is classified as Suiper Rep bordering on lower status. The H-factory N-series would be better, and the Noob factory O-series would be the best, but the one available at toro's is just a bit lower in classification. The NWBIG list as I understand it, only lists the top version for each model there, which would be the Noob factory version. But it doesn't mean that the H-factory releases are bad, just not as good as the Noob release.

Yeah mate I read through that guide, I saw it said Super with lower status.
Hmm I feel like I shouldn't worry if its been granted Super rep status? In your personal opinion, would you buy it, considering the noob is no longer available unless i find a used one?

 

[rarirurero]

From what I've heard H factory no longer produces the N series pam088 which was considered super rep status. Although the noob O series is considered the best, I feel that the HF N series isn't that bad either.

Having said that, HF now only releases the I series pam088, which to me, isn't as good. I personally found the screw in lugs instead of the quick strap change system to be a deal breaker. But if you don't mind it, I would think the I series is still a pretty good rep IMO.

 

[Omagad]

I would take it, the watch looks great and a Super Rep is a Super Rep...

 

[mysterio]

From what I've heard H factory no longer produces the N series pam088 which was considered super rep status. Although the noob O series is considered the best, I feel that the HF N series isn't that bad either.

Having said that, HF now only releases the I series pam088, which to me, isn't as good. I personally found the screw in lugs instead of the quick strap change system to be a deal breaker. But if you don't mind it, I would think the I series is still a pretty good rep IMO.

You are stating the screw in lugs as a deal breaker for you, but it isn't a point of inaccuracy. The I-series PAM088 has screwed in lugs instead of the quick release system in the J-series onwards.

 

[ShimaRoosman]

I've paid for it, so it should be with me soon hopefully. Comes with the rubber strap which I'm excited for, but I definitely want to get at least once nice leather strap

 

[rarirurero]

You are stating the screw in lugs as a deal breaker for you, but it isn't a point of inaccuracy. The I-series PAM088 has screwed in lugs instead of the quick release system in the J-series onwards.

Yup, what I meant was I prefer the quick release system as opposed to the older screw in lugs. I had a 111 with the screw in lugs and noticed that at times vigorous wrist movement can cause the lug screws to unscrew by themselves. Maybe thats just my experience, YMMV. Still a shame that HF stopped producing the N series case and went back with the I series. Clearing old stock perhaps?

 

[mysterio]

Yup, what I meant was I prefer the quick release system as opposed to the older screw in lugs. I had a 111 with the screw in lugs and noticed that at times vigorous wrist movement can cause the lug screws to unscrew by themselves. Maybe thats just my experience, YMMV. Still a shame that HF stopped producing the N series case and went back with the I series. Clearing old stock perhaps?

It's not just your experience, in fact lugs unscrewing by themselves are not an entirely uncommon occurrence, which is why gens (and reps) have strap tubes, so that the movement of the wrists do not cause the inner lining of the straps to catch onto the lug bars, causing them over time to loosen. Also, gen and rep owners alike sometimes (or in the case of Panerai boutiques if you bring your gen to have the strap changed, almost always), use weak threadlocker (Loctite 243 is a popular choice for non-OEM) to further prevent the lug bars from unintentionally getting unscrewed. Also, the quick release system isn't perfect as the buttons sometimes get knocked out or fail and don't keep the lug bar locked in (both in gens and in reps).

I don't think any factory would intentionally re-release an old version that isn't considered the best of the best so yes, I would think the factory (or the dealer) only has some old remaining stock that needs clearing.