Starting out (again)

[davel80]

Hi all....

Firstly, just wanted to say hi - been lurking for a few days... but newly signed up.

Just wanted to ask a couple of questions to help me get started. I've dabbled in reps here and there... but my favourite (sadly now damaged by my two year old!) was a rep PAM. I purchased it from perfectwatches and I think it was a PAM 111 - but with a rubber strap. Had a seemingly really nice movement to it and felt great on my wrist...

But I'm here to get educated and keen to invest in more PAMs. So many around that I like the look of - but I guess my biggest question is where do I head for those? I've read a lot of the reviews and the sticky'd guide from start to finish. I see the same two or three manufacturers pop up again and again, but who has the benchmark? Does it just vary from model to model? Or does one of the manufacturers stand head and shoulders above the rest?

A couple of years ago I made a little over $100 with perfectwatches for my first ever rep... will I notice a significant hike in quality with these 'closer-to-$300' models?

Thanks in advance... and apologies for the vague/clueless approach - really enjoying reading through these threads and gaining some knowledge!

D

 

[300kph]

Welcome. I hit a home run with my Pam 299N. Love the SS bracelet and bought it from Perfect Clones (Josh) and also bought the rep rubber strap. I then found a gorgeous black croc strap with rep deployment.

Go back and look at my Pam posts and you will be able to garner some info and see the side by side comparo that made be a believer.

Good luck!

W

 

[tonymission]

Bought my first rep at perfect watches and it was garbage, still lasted me two years. Bezel insert fell out two days after I got it. The TDs and the higher priced PAMs are light years better... I've found that its been worth it to just spend the extra money and you won't regret not buying it later once you learn more and realize your cheapie isn't quite as good as you thought.

The best rep manufacturer can vary from model to model so start with ALE's guide and go from there. Your questions are all pretty basic and can be answered with just a little research and reading.

 

[ALE7575]

Hi davel

Firstly welcome to RWI from Spain
Maybe you are now in the best place to get info about PAM reps.
Not only PAM GUIDE, because you have a lot of threads with interesting info and many people here with a lot of PAM knowledge and, more important, willing to share it.

I think you are few focused and you need more learning and reading.

You should decide what is the type of PAM you like.
Luminor - 1950 case - Radiomir - Submersible...
Functions:
Basic- Date - GMT- Chrono....
Material and finish
SS- Ceramic- DLC - polished - brushed....

And then search the best option following evaluations of each replica

When you have more info and some decisions you could put new questions, because we are here to help you.

And don't forget to choose a dealer TD here which have the conditions of purchase more adapted to your needs.

Good luck
ALE

 

[davel80]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys... I'm definitely going to do some more research over the coming days and decide exactly what it is I'm looking for!

 

[Capt. Obvious]

Welcome!
Depending on what kind of lok you like (clean, busy, case shape etc), there are some VERY WELL repped PAMs nowadays.
The Noob 111 is supposed to be excellent, although I dnt have one.
I have a KW 359, and it's REALLY good!!!

 

[Pamtastic]

Welcome!
Depending on what kind of lok you like (clean, busy, case shape etc), there are some VERY WELL repped PAMs nowadays.
The Noob 111 is supposed to be excellent, although I dnt have one.
I have a KW 359, and it's REALLY good!!!

+1
I have the kw359 as well and it's excellent. But there's other Pam reps that are "bulletproof" as well (111, 288, kw312, 356, etc). As everyone has said, it's a matter of what look you're going for.

 

[invv]

Just joined myself. Good questions davel80

 

[davel80]

I think I'm definitely going to get myself a PAM 005. A friend of mine had a gen of this model and I really loved the 111 design but with the added logo.

I think after a bit of research I'm definitely in the market for a PVD model as well. I love the Paneristi designs, but I'm not sure if I like the idea of having some random person's name on the caseback. Is there something like the PAM 195 with a different caseback that I've missed?

 

[ALE7575]

I think I'm definitely going to get myself a PAM 005. A friend of mine had a gen of this model and I really loved the 111 design but with the added logo.

I think after a bit of research I'm definitely in the market for a PVD model as well. I love the Paneristi designs, but I'm not sure if I like the idea of having some random person's name on the caseback. Is there something like the PAM 195 with a different caseback that I've missed?

Something to clarify before

PAM 111 has sandwich dial and PAM 005 and 195 you are talking about are sausage dials. The looks are completely different!. (read about that the Glossary in PAM GUIDE)

That said you have DLC the PAM 360, but there is no perfect replica of this watch at this moment. They all have some flaws.
For DLC PAMs similar to PAM 111 I recommend you PAM 026 K-series Noob. It is a super rep and the dial is the same as PAM 111 but destroy version.
No worries about destroy version you can wear it in left or right hand without problems. Many people do it.

In other way you can see the 1950 case DLC of PAM 441 and PAM 386 (gen are ceramic and composite respectively). New interesting replicas

ALE

 

[davel80]

Thanks ALE, apologies for the apparent ignorance on my part for the lack of distinction between sausage and sandwich dials - that wasn't even a consideration for me until now. But looking at it now, I much prefer the sandwich dials.

The PAM 026 is a great looking watch and actually perfect for me as I'm a lefty anyway! Still a shame that the PAM 360 has no super rep yet. How far behind are the first class reps of this model?

 

[ALE7575]

Thanks ALE, apologies for the apparent ignorance on my part for the lack of distinction between sausage and sandwich dials - that wasn't even a consideration for me until now. But looking at it now, I much prefer the sandwich dials.

The PAM 026 is a great looking watch and actually perfect for me as I'm a lefty anyway! Still a shame that the PAM 360 has no super rep yet. How far behind are the first class reps of this model?

No apologies needed, you are trying to learn and this is the most important. It is no easy in the beginning to realize these differences

PAM 360 is not a bad replica, in fact many people, myself included, consider it a First Class rep, but it is very odd that we have not get a Super replica of this watch, and as you can see in the reviews them all have evident flaws. Better going to PAM 026 that have not obvious flaws and is considered Super rep for 63% of people.

ALE

 

[davel80]

I've also noticed this beauty in the ideas section, but can't seem to find it in the main thread. What's this model?

 

[ALE7575]

I've also noticed this beauty in the ideas section, but can't seem to find it in the main thread. What's this model?

This is a PAM 335 Luminor 1950 10 days GMT ceramic

http://www.panerai.com/en/watch-collection/contemporary-collection/luminor-1950/70-luminor-1950-10-days-gmt-ceramica-pam00335
http://www.paneraisource.com/watch_details/Contemporary_273.html
http://blog.perpetuelle.com/sihh/sihh-2010-panerai-luminor-1950-ceramic-pam-335/
http://www.watchuwant.com/watches/panerai-pam-335-m-luminor-1950-10-days-gmt-ceramica-44mm-black-ceramic-limited-edition-only-
http://www.wristwatchphoto.com/2010/01/black-is-beautiful-317-vs-new-ceramic.html

No possible to get replicas of this watch at this moment.

ALE

 

[davel80]

What a shame! It's lovely looking thing!

 

[ALE7575]

Replica possibilities are great but limited

ALE

 

[blackfox]

I will vote for kw 386 v4 much cheaper.. I have a 441 before but didn't grow in me thus sold it.

 

[davel80]

Right then... I've put my first order in. PAM 005 Noob V2 from Puretime. A good starting point I think.

Quick question - can I expect any reliable level of water resistance from this 'Super rep'? Or should I just avoid getting it wet?

 

[Ruski91]

as a rule of thumb. i would not expect any water resistance from reps Out of the box. Take it to a local watch smith and have them test it before taking it into the water.

005 Noob V2 is fantastic btw and you will certainly love it!

Post some pics for us when it comes

 

[davel80]

Great, thanks for the advice.

I've already received a dozen pics from puretime of the watch being tested and good quality shots of it being prepared - which was an unexpected but welcome surprise. So far, I've been VERY impressed.

Can't wait to have a good quality PAM rep on my wrist!