Jump to content
ALE7575

PAM 243 – Overview and Evaluation of all reps – Nov 2015

Recommended Posts

ALE7575

This thread is an extract from PAM Reference GUIDE of PAM 243

"Reference PAM REVIEW-GUIDE" - Replica Search, Identification, Evaluation & Selection.

https://www.replica-...n-amp-Selection

 

This thread will give you all information, data and links about the PAM 243 reps published in the main forums and the comments and evaluations made by myself after reading and study the reps, all available information and all the pics and QC pics published and received by e-mail and PM.

 

As usually, the final evaluation that I have given, although considered after many hours of study and trying to be an average of general consensus, could have, unavoidably, some subjective component.

Anyway, with all comments and links included in this thread you can get info enough to make your own Evaluation more adapted to your taste.

As above commented I have tried to be as impartial as possible and to get and average of the general opinions and myself one.

 

 

 

PAM 243 – Overview and Evaluation of all reps – Nov 2015

 

PAM243copiar.jpg

EVALUATION:

(**) SUPER REP bordering lower status (Noob V1 L-series)

(**) SUPER REP bordering lower status (H maker V1 L-series)

(**) SUPER REP (Noob V2 M-series) (“V3”)

(**) SUPER REP (H maker V2 M-series)

 

The gen PAM 243 1950 case 1000m Submersible was a newly introduced watch for 2006 I-series. The PAM 243 replaced the now discontinued PAM 087 1000m Submersible. The PAM 087 was affectionately referred to as the 'tuna can' because of its sheer weight and thickness. The PAM 243 1950 case of 44mm made of SS feels like it has a more distributed an even-weighted feel as compared to the PAM 087. The PAM 243 is incredibly comfortably, sporty and unique looking and the newly styled ridged rubber sport strap (previously only available on the 47mm sport models like the PAM 194, PAM 187 and Slytech models) is soft and comfortable. It has unidirectional bezel Egiziano style, skeleton hands, automatic movement, small seconds @9, a date window @3 with cyclops and helium valve @9.

First years productions were fitted with Tritium dials, but last years Panerai introduced Luminova dials. Bear in mind that for the replicas L and M series, they should be marked L SWISS MADE L Luminova dials.

 

 

- Noob V1 L-series before Mars 2012

- H maker V1 L-series before Sept 2014

PAM 243 L-series were one of the best replicas in the market and the versions either from Noob factory or H maker were very appreciated.

-Noob V1 has better bezel with rounded dot contours (whereas H maker are a bit sharp) and correct 60 rotation clicks, whereas H maker V1 has inaccurate 120 clicks.

-H maker V1 has better crystal with cleaner cyclops

-Noob V1 has some problems with the lug quick-release buttons to change strap. Fixed in last batches.

-People usually think that H maker dial is more accurate than Noob. Maybe Noob has fatter markers but H maker markers are actually thinner and the decision is a taste matter. I personally see more accurate the fat Noob than the thinner H maker markers. H maker inscriptions are al so more inaccurate regarding fonts, with wrong “R” , slightly different “U”, horizontal stroke on “A” placed a bit low and inaccurate Automatic fonts, mainly “a”, although Noob is also inaccurate in this regard but a bit less.

H maker has conserved this old dial on V2 version and you can see below the comparison with Noob dial when we comment the new reps V2 from Noob and H maker. In this way you can judge by yourself.

Despite the flaws above commented these reps are between the best in the market and we can consider them as Super reps bordering lower status.

 

 

- Noob V2 M-series (it is possible to see some L-series in V2 Noob version)

From October 2013 many people and even some dealers are calling this rep Noob V3. This is in my opinion a wrong nomination, because there are no improvements to justify a change of name. Just a commercial trick to increase the price.

Mars 2012- In order to compete with H maker, Noob released an improved M-series Noob version V2 with some improvements. This version can be even fitted with Swiss movement (very expensive, it is no worth IMO).

Improvements in relation to Noob V1 version:

-A bit less fat sausage markers although still fatter than gen

-More accurate and flatter bezel pearl

-Correct Cyclops more accurate in size (7mm) and with less “frozen” halo

-Flatter, better polished and flush Cannon Pinion

-Improved placement of L SWISS MADE L inscription closer to “6” marker

-More accurate CG. Better placement of REG. / T.M. engravings, polished and flush CG pin, more accurate lever shape, in roller support and tip, although tip remains still a bit different from gen. Correct chamfered on corners.

-More accurate fonts on bezel 15-30-45 markers

-Better 1000m engraving and better fitting with CG on lever

-Polished tip on lug bars

-Improved polishing and shape of the bezel knurling

-Improved and better polished upper and lower bevelled of bezel, although the bevelled at the bottom is a bit smaller than gen and the upper polished external bevelled is clearly narrower than gen. For me the uglier flaw of this nice rep

-Better He font and shape of Helium valve

Below links of Puretime and TSwatch have a lot of pics and features of the PAM 243 V2 version:

http://puretime.watc...ree-strap-tool/

http://www.ts-statio...d_product=11650

You can see very good pics of PAM 243 V2 from Noob in:

https://www.replica-...ewing-pleasure-) by babola

https://www.replica-...-on-Gunny-Paupe by Karesz501

https://www.replica-...-noob-MEGA-PICS by dordonko

And we have a very good comparison NooV2 –H maker here:

https://www.replica-...-PICS?p=1197952 by smokiedabong

Some considerations about lume in gen - Noob - H maker here:

http://www.replica-w...p?t=118160.html

See the flaw in the upper external bevelled of the bezel. It is wider in the gen:

https://www.replica-...flaw!?p=1234542 by Rwolf

There is a False alarm about the inscription DIVERS in caseback. Some people thought that this inscription was DIVER'S, but it is a false alarm, because gen J-series had really DIVER'S inscription but gen L ad M (like the rep have DIVERS like the replica.

https://www.replica-...sapointing-tell by korneevy

Interesting mod of lever tip to get it more accurate to gen:

http://www.repgeek.c...709#post2293709 by watchpt

Fantastic pictorial here:

https://www.replica-...hoot!?p=1347866 by Del

WARNING and false alarm again ? : In January 2013 taiji has detected some dials of Noob PAM 243 M-series with subdial @9 having shinny concentric circles instead of being matt and with flat surface:

https://www.replica-...-PAM243-version by taiji

After that there is another thread dealing about this matter

https://www.replica-...7195post1337195 by Niek

Starting Mars 2013 an study and interesting investigation by PolonusTM hav established the origin of the matter:

https://www.replica-...195#post1337195 by PolonusTM

https://www.replica-...778#post1337778 by PolonusTM

Following Polonus statements:

"Now I know that gen 243 and 299 models HAVE concentric circles on subdials but the amount, viscosity and surface tension of paint layer varies and, most of the times, covers these circles and make them look semi-flat. When You flush gen dial with paint remover, they appear if full galore. They are not stamped but just micro-milled hence circles. Probably all PAM dials with subdials have them like that. So it is paint layer what rep makers get wrong."

The gen and the rep have both a very edged subdial contour, we can say that they are milled in the dial material, because it is impossible to get an edged contour of the subdial by stamping, we need a milled process to get this edged contour.

Therefore the inner surface of the subdials must have a mark of the milling tools like a fine spiral (seemingly concentric circles)

As you said due to the viscosity and surface tension of the paint the milled marks are flattened by the layer of the paint more or less in different way depending on quantity of the paint and also on the characteristics of the paint.

In below pics of two PAMs 243 you can see on the left side a subdial with a thick layer of paint and a minimum circles effect and on the right side a subdial with a thin layer of paint and therefore maximum circles effect.

 

PAM243SUDDIAL9GAMACONCENTR_zps41f9d42a.jpg

CIRCLES ON SUBDIAL OF A REP PAM 243

 

In this way due to the usual differences in the manufacturing process of a replica, we can get from almost completely flat inner subdial surfaces to “textured” surfaces like concentric circles.

Since the gen has seemingly almost flat surface, it is a matter of luck to get an almost flat surface like the gen in our replicas depending on the quantity, viscosity and surface tension of paint. Anyway I can see it s almost no noticeble in most of the cases.

 

On 11th Mars 2013 Polonus close this discussion getting from P.Clones's Joshua some comparison pics Gen-Rep PAM 299 H maker.

http://imgur.com/a/qUz3G

In these pics we can see that the Gen subdial @9 has circles without doubts, as you can see in below enlarged pic of the gen 299 from Joshua. The subdial of this watch is almost the same as PAM 243 one.

 

PAM299-CIRCLESGENSUBDIAL_zps9746bbff.jpg

CIRCLES ON SUBDIAL OF A GEN PAM 299-equivalent to PAM 243

 

Therefore this discussion is closed and no much worries about subdial circles in this PAM 243.

August 2013: watchpt proposes a easy mod to get the reps closer to gen, just making the lever tip more rounded like gen, since all rep versions even Noob V2 has this tip with sharper edges. See below link:

https://www.replica-...crown-lever-mod by watchpt

In order to see the quality of the details of this rep see the microscopic review pics form zocker4711 in this thread:

Zocker4711 microscopic review here:

https://www.replica-...nder-Microscope V2 by zocker4711

 

PAM%20243-%20NOOB%20V2%20DETAILS%20copiar_zpstxqhij0l.jpg

MICROSCOPIC MACRO PICS OF NOOB V2 REPS (by zocker4711)

 

September 2013- Noob announced that stopped the production of PAM 243 due to cost problems.

Noob released a last (and so-called "definitive") batch of about 100 units. Please bear in mind that some units of this last batch from Noob have been released without lume at "12" and "6". Please check your purchases and ask dealers for lume pics before shipment

If Noob stops definitely the PAM 243 production the only good alternative will be the H maker version.

 

October 2013- Noob releases another batch. It seems there are no improvements but an increase of 60$ in price. No better or wider polished edge on bezel and the rest all the same. Some dealers called this batch Noob V3. But no reasons in my opinion because the rep watch is the same as previous versions. Some units even seem having worse CG chamfered edges and more crocked bezel markers. Maybe just a bit more sloppy Quality Control.

At this regard there is a very interesting comparison through microscopical pics by zocker4711 of V2 and so-called "V3", where is clearly shoved they are the same. Maybe seconds subdial @9 has more fine (microscopical) concentric circles and are more covered with the paint, but this would not be a great improvement since V2 well painted doesn’t show circles under naked eye.

Zocker4711 microscopic review here:

https://www.replica-...nder-MicroscopeV3" by zocker4711

Some macros:

https://www.replica-...0375post1730375 by zocker4711

Nice pictorial with several straps here:

https://www.replica-...Noob-and-Straps by PAMISTI91

Therefore there are PAM 243 Noob V2 before October 2013 and after October 2013 (bad called "V3")

By these pics we can also realize the awesome quality of these Noob watches.

Reading above commented features of this last Noob version V2 (V3) of PAM 243 we can say that is a true Super rep with a strong gen-like apperance. It is a shame the narrower polished external upper edge of the bezel. Without this flaw the rep would be almost a gen in appearance and gets an status clearly over the H maker V1 PAM 243.

 

TO BE CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ALE7575

.

- H maker V2 M-series

September 2014- Taking advantage of the stopped production of PAM 243 from Noob, H maker released an improved version H maker V2 M-series of rep PAM 243.

H maker has made some efforts to get a rep at the same level of Noob and in some aspects they have got the purpose. Besides H maker has made this watch at very reasonable price.

H maker has improved overall quality of finish getting a great gen-like appearance at the same level as Noob.

CASE- Accurate shape and improved finish in the same level as Noob. V2 version has improved the quick-release lug’s buttons to change the strap.

BEZEL- Accurate overall shape. This rep has improved the horizontal section of bezel knurling and mainly the vertical section of the knurling making the upper and lower bevelled much more accurate and better polished than previous H maker version.

Anyway the upper external polished part of the bezel bevelled, although nicely polished remains narrower than gen.This narrower edge was the main issue of all Noob versions, in H maker this upper bevelled is a bit hit miss: usually it is a bit wider than Noob, always narrower than gen. But I have seen some QC pics and some catalogues with H maker V2 with a bevelled edge almost with the same width of the gen, but usually it remains smaller.

To illustrate above commented, please see the pic of the H maker V2 rep published in below links.

https://www.replica-...fromo-ToroBravo by diseno

http://www.repgeek.c...928#post2736928 by diseno

As you can see in above pics the polished upper external bezel edge has almost the same size as gen edge. It is really nice and gives to the watch an impressive look.

The knurling polishing has improved a lot but I like more the finish and polishing of last Noobs. Bezel rotation has 60 clicks, the same as Noob and gen (previous V1 version had inaccurate120 clicks). Working of rotation is precise and without play. The black minute markers on bezel from 12 to 3 hrs. have been also improved in accuracy and finish at the same level of Noob. H maker V2 has also improced bezel dots markers, they are now really accurate and well polished with rounded edges and raised like gen (even better than Noob). The black numerals 15, 30, 45 of the bezel dots have worse finish than previous version and than Noob, but this could be variable between batches. The pearl is also very good, really improved and at the same level or even better than some Noobs

CROWN GUARD- The CG has improved a lot from V1, the quality is at the same level as Noob regarding shape, finish, lever, CGpin, rounded edges and finish of the “hole”, and it seems than chamfered edges are even better and more uniform than Noob. Nice CG overall.

CASEBACK- Accurate enough with nice and deep engravings, less accurate and less deep than Noob and gen, and with a weird croked second “S” in SUBMERSIBLE engraving.

CRYSTAL- Nice improvements in this regard. H maker has improved a lot the contour of the date Cyclops, carefully polishing the edges of the loupe and almost avoiding the “frozen” halo almost at the same level as gen and even better than some Noobs (Noob improved this issue a lot in last batches).

CANNON PINION- CP has improved a lot, V2 CP is nicely polished and flat, but I see the contour of the CP a bit rounded, most likely due to it is a cup covering the real CP. I think Noob CP of last versions is better, more credible and flatter although maybe with worse polishing. Anyway, both CP are really good for a rep.

DIAL- The comments about this part will be the more controversial matter of this rep in comprison to Noob dials.

Many people are thinking that H maker PAM 243 dials are better than Noob, but this is not at all true and V2 H maker dial is the same (or almost the same) as V1 version.

The surface and overall finish of both dials are equivalent and really good. Dial layout is very accurate in both reps. Lume and inscriptions colours are also accurate eithr in Noob or H maker.

Sausage lume application of both makers are gen-like and accurate enough.

And now the differences:

Lume dots have accurate shape and lume colour, but H maker dots have more rounded upper surface whereas gen and Noob are flatter.

The main differences are the accuracy of markers and the accuracy of inscriptions fonts.

People usually think H maker markers are more accurate than Noob ones, but if we make some comparisons we can see that Noob are a bit thicker but H maker are thinner and the thickness of Noob is less noticeable than the H maker issue. In bellow comparison pic we can observe than Noob “6” marker is actually thicker than gen, but it seems more accurate than the thinner “6” of H maker. Maybe some people could think that the differences are few noticeable, but never that H maker “6” is better than Noob.

 

PAM%20243-%206-LSML-%20COMP%20copiar_zpsrxxwzixi.jpg

“6” MARKER - NOOB–GEN-Hmaker COMPARISON

Please see in avobe pic that L SWISS MADE L inscription has accurate fonts and position accurate enough in both reps, but H maker inscription is bigger.

H maker “12” marker is even worse, it is clearly thinner than gen, but besides it is smaller, as we can see in below pic.

 

PAM%20243-%2012%20LUM-%20COMP%20copiar_zpsponmmjdk.jpg

“12” MARKER - NOOB–GEN-Hmaker COMPARISON

 

As you can see there is a clear difference between H maker “12” marker and gen one. Noob is a little bit thicker than gen but is clearly more accurate.

 

Regarding fonts of inscriptions there are interesting differences. The main difference is the “R” font. Gen “R” has a slightly inclined tail, it is a bit curved and at the bottom it has a pointed shape toward the right side. As you can see on below pic, Noob “R” has a tail almost like gen with inclined, curved and pointy bottom tail, whereas H maker “R” has straight, completely vertical and without pointy bottom tail. This is really inaccurate in practice.

H maker “A” has bigger inner triangle, due to the horizontal “A” gen stroke is placed a bit higher than H maker one. Noob is accurate in this regard.

Automatic inscription font is inaccurate in both reps, mainly “a” font, but H maker fonts are a bit narrower and more inaccurate.

In LUMINOR inscription, moreover the “R” font, H maker “U” has the bottom part more rounded than gen and Noob. This is very frequent but few noticeable in practice.

PAM%20243-%20PAN-Aut-%20COMP%20copiar_zps9pd1m8xp.jpg

INSCRIPTIONS FONTS – NOOB-GEN-Hmaker COMPARISON

 

If we observe a good macro pic of Noob dial, we will see that the quality and accuracy of Noob inscriptions is even better that what we can see in above pics. To confirm this matter see above microscopic pics extracted from the macro pics of below link:

https://www.replica-...nder-Microscope by zocker4711

Another difference is the glossy appearance of the seconds sub-dial @9. Due to the concentric circles pattern of H maker subdial it takes very glossy appearance in many positions, and you can see that is many pics. Of course, there are many Noob rep with visible concentric circles but for some reason the paint of Noob somehow hides the circles and the glossy effect.

Therefore due to above mentioned reasons we can state that Noob dial is more accurate than H maker.

Reviews by Polonus TM:

https://www.replica-...tory-PAM-243-V2 by Polonus TM

http://www.repgeek.c...ad.php?t=254610 by Polonus TM

More info here:

https://www.replica-...t-of-stock-Noob by Branigg

http://www.rwg.bz/bo...howtopic=103342 by Branigg

https://www.replica-...m-243?p=2293519 y Derik429

https://www.replica-...-from-Noob-or-H by repigator

That said we can conclude that H maker is a very good rep and with a very reasonable price. It looks clear that H maker has not completely improved Noob features, it is superior in some aspects but the dial is clearly inferior.

Anyway H maker V2 is a clear Super rep at reasonable price and a very good alternative for the unavailable Noob. If you are lucky and get a rep H amker V2 with wider upper external polished bezel edge, you will have a rep even with better appearance than the better Noobs.

 

A very good candidate for a first PAM rep.

 

 

PAM 243

REPLICA links:

- Noob V2 (“V3”) M-series

(**)http://www.pure-time...strap-v2-a7750/ not available

(**)http://www.ts-statio...5017-15017.html not available

(**)http://www.torobravo...&product_id=204 not available

(**)http://www.intime.co...?id_product=112 not available

-H maker V1 L-series

(**)http://www.ts-statio...4599-14599.html

(**)http://www.7750asian...43b/PN243b8.jpg

(**)http://www.ttw8488.c...roducts_id=8969

- H maker V2 M-series

(**)http://www.torobravo...product_id=1540

(**)http://www.intime.co...r-strap-v2.html

(**)http://www.ttw8488.c...oducts_id=13017

(**)http://www.ttw8488.c...oducts_id=13016

(**)http://www.ttw8488.c...oducts_id=12306

(**)http://www.pf-818.co...le-p-16927.html

(**)http://www.pf-818.co...ru-p-16926.html

 

GEN links:

http://www.paneraiso...mporary_27.html

http://www.paneristi...dome/1000m.html

http://www.panerai.c...id_categoria=36

 

 

 

 

PAM243%20-%20J-series%20copiar_zps2upnkxmg.jpg

EVALUATION:

(**) SUPER REP ( H maker J-series )

 

The gen PAM 243 1950 case 1000m Submersible was a newly introduced watch for 2006 I-series. The PAM 243 replaced the now discontinued PAM 087 1000m Submersible. The PAM 087 was affectionately referred to as the 'tuna can' because of its sheer weight and thickness. The PAM 243 1950 case of 44mm made of SS feels like it has a more distributed an even-weighted feel as compared to the PAM 087. The PAM 243 is incredibly comfortably, sporty and unique looking and the newly styled ridged rubber sport strap (previously only available on the 47mm sport models like the PAM 194, PAM 187 and Slytech models) is soft and comfortable. It has unidirectional bezel Egiziano style, skeleton hands, automatic movement, small seconds @9, a date window @3 with cyclops and helium valve @9.

First years productions were fitted with Tritium dials, but last years Panerai introduced Luminova dials. Tritium dials lume has vintage character and ecru-brownish colour that changes over time, becoming darker and more brownish. For replicas J-series dial should be marked T SWISS MADE T tritium dials and have vintage ecru-brownish colour. PAM 243 aged Tritium looks like a warmer version of PAM 243 Luminova

 

 

- H maker J-series

July 2015- H maker released a rep of PAM 243 J-series with the good caseset used for H maker V2 M-series and obviously changing the dial for a Tritium-like dial with ecru-brownish vintage lume. Fortunately H maker has not used the same dial base as previous M-series version which had thinner and slightly inaccurate “6” and “12” markers.

Like in V2 M-series, H maker has again made some efforts to get a rep at least at the same level of previous versions and has got IMO an improved rep in relation to H maker V2 M-series.

H maker has used the same caseset from V2 M-series with improved overall quality of finish, getting a great gen-like appearance at the same level as Noob. Even it looks, from the pics I have studied, that H maker has improved a bit more the finish and polishing of the bezel knurling. Unfortunately it seems they have not yet corrected the size of the upper polished external bezel edge which remains narrower than gen.

In relation to the caseset I have almost the same comments as H maker V2 M-series version

CASE- Accurate shape and improved finish in the same level as Noob.

BEZEL- Accurate overall shape. This rep has improved the horizontal section of bezel knurling and mainly the vertical section of the knurling, making the upper and lower bevelled much more accurate and better polished than previous V1 H maker version.

Anyway the upper external polished part of the bezel bevelled, although nicely polished remains narrower than gen. This narrower edge was the main issue of all Noob versions, in H maker this upper bevelled is a bit hit miss: usually it is a bit wider than Noob, always narrower than gen. But I have seen some QC pics and some catalogues with new H maker reps with a bevelled edge almost with the same width of the gen, but usually it remains smaller.

As above commented it looks that knurling polishing has improved in relation to V2 M-series, becoming closer the finish and polishing to last Noobs. Bezel rotation has 60 clicks, the same as Noob and gen (previous V1 version had inaccurate120 clicks). Working of rotation is precise and without play. The same as on M-series, black minute markers on bezel from 12 to 3 hrs. have been also improved in accuracy and finish at the same level of Noob. H maker has also improved bezel dots markers, they are now really accurate and well polished with rounded edges and raised like gen (even better than Noob). The black numerals 15, 30, 45 of the bezel dots have worse finish than previous V1 version and than Noob, but this could be variable between batches.

The pearl is a controversial matter because J-series pearl is really different from M-series one. But this is the same for the gen J-series. If we made a comparison with the gen, the accuracy is really good, as you can see on below comparison pic.

 

PAM%20243%20J-%20pearl%20and%20sausage%20lume-%20comp-defi3-%20xxxxxxxxxxxx%20copiar_zpsuqw2r0uh.jpg

PEARL AND SAUSAGE LUME – GEN - Hmaker (J-series) COMPARISON

 

To get more info about the gen pearl see another pic from kilowattore in below post:

https://www.replica-...l=1#post2342903

 

CROWN GUARD- The CG has improved a lot in H maker V2 M-series and J-series, the quality is at the same level as Noob regarding shape, finish, lever, CGpin, rounded edges and finish of the “hole”, and it seems than chamfered edges are even better and more uniform than Noob. Nice CG overall.

CASEBACK- Accurate enough with nice and deep engravings, less accurate and less deep than Noob and gen, and with a weird crooked second “S” in SUBMERSIBLE engraving.

CRYSTAL- H maker V2 M-series and J-series have improved a lot the contour of the date Cyclops, carefully polishing the edges of the loupe and almost avoiding the “frozen” halo, almost at the same level as gen and even better than some Noobs (Noob improved this issue a lot in last batches).

CANNON PINION- Like in V2 M-series CP has improved a lot, it is nicely polished and flat, but I see the contour of the CP a bit rounded, most likely due to it is a cup covering the real CP. I think Noob CP of last versions is better, more credible and flatter, although maybe with worse polishing. Anyway, both CP are really good for a rep.

DIAL-There is a surprise with this rep because, as you can see in the review of H maker V2 M-series, the markers of this version were inaccurate, being “6” thinner and “12” thinner and smaller. PAM 243 H maker J-series has improved the accuracy o the makers fonts and we have now accurate thickness, size and fonts for “6” and “12” markers.

The sausage lume application and the marker fonts are also very accurate with a slim white contour on markers and really raised sausage lume application just like gen. You can see the accuracy I’m talking about in below comparison pic.

 

pam%20243%20J%20-%2012-LUMINOR%20copiar_zpsesuwdag2.jpg

“12” MARKER – SAUSAGE LUME – GEN - Hmaker (J-series) COMPARISON

 

As you can see sausage lume application, white contour and fonts are really accurate, much better than in H maker V2 M-series

The surface and overall finish of dial are really good. Dial layout is very accurate, as the same level as previous versions.

Another improvement added by H maker in J-series is the surface os seconds sub-dial @9. Maybe due to a more appropriate viscosity or thickness of the black paint the glossy appearance the seconds sub-dial @9 has disappeared.

And now the differences:

As previous H maker versions lume dots have accurate shape, but H maker dots have more rounded upper surface whereas gen and Noob are flatter.

Regarding inscriptions the colour is accurate but the fonts are inaccurate, in the same way as H maker V2 M-series.

Therefore, as commented in previous H maker version, H maker J-series “R” has straight, completely vertical and without pointy bottom tail, whereas gen “R” has a slightly inclined tail, it is a bit curved and at the bottom it has a pointed shape toward the right side. “R” fonts are really inaccurate in practice.

H maker “A” has bigger inner triangle, due to the horizontal “A” gen stroke is placed a bit higher than H maker one. Noob is accurate in this regard.

Automatic inscription font is always inaccurate, mainly “a” font, but H maker fonts are a bit narrower and more inaccurate.

In LUMINOR inscription, moreover the “R” font, H maker “U” has the bottom part more rounded than gen and Noob. This is very frequent but few noticeable in practice. We can see the font differences in above comparison pic of “12” marker.

Maybe the more debatable matter of this rep is the lume colour of dial dots, markers and hands. As already commented gen has Tritium lume which the colour ages over time, becoming darker and more brownish with different degrees of change. For some reasons lume of gen dots seems to get more darker than gen markers lume and mainly hands. Gen usually presents lighter colour lume on markers and mainly in hands than lume dots. That could be due to a different gen Tritium lume material used in the production of the gen PAM 243 Tritium. Talking about Tritium lume these differences cannot be considered as a rule, because the aging of this Tritium lume is completely ramdom. Rep lume colour is very similar in hands, markers and dots and quite dark. Rep lume usually is darker and seemingly more “aged” than most of the gens. We could say that the rep has an aging at the limit of darkness in relation to the gen aging. H maker rep lume is really nice and gives to the watch a nice vintage and warm appearance, although I had preferred a lighter colour on markers and mainly in hands. But as above commented aging has no rules and we can consider accurate enough the rep J-series lume colour and, besides, beautiful.

That said we can conclude that PAM 243 H maker J-series is a very nice rep, in many aspects is the same as Pam 243 H maker V2 M-series, but with better dial markers accuracy, closer to gen, accurate pearl and improved appearance of seconds sub-dial @9. In this way H maker J-series overall improves H maker V2 M-series and gets a quality similar to Noob V2 (V3) M-series.

Rep PAM 243 H maker J-series is a clear Super rep at reasonable price and the best alternative for the unavailable Noob. If you are lucky and get a rep H maker J-series with a bit wider upper external polished bezel edge, you will have a rep even with better appearance than the better Noobs.

More info here:

https://www.replica-...Rep-Is-NOT-Dead!!! by Grimlocktime

https://www.replica-...lowed?p=2365617 by PAMaholic

http://www.repgeek.c...ad.php?t=255954 by PAMaholic

 

A very good candidate for a first PAM rep.

 

PAM 243 J-series

REPLICA links:

- H maker J-series

(**)http://www.torobravo2015.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1661

(**)http://www.intime.co/panerai/2245-pam243j-h-maker-1-1-ultimate-edition-on-brown-leather.html

(**)http://www.ttw8488.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=352&products_id=13722

(**)http://www.ttw8488.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=352&products_id=13723

(**)http://www.pf-818.com/0140c-p-17988.html

 

GEN links:

http://shop.analogsh...age-chronograph

http://forums.watchu...ons-879930.html

http://www.rolexforu...ad.php?t=301882

http://www.lacotedes...et-No_50760.htm

https://onlyvault.co...um-series-16463

http://forums.timezo...o=7130728&rid=0

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading

 

ALE

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
CedricWX

WOW!

 

Nice one ALE. Now this is what a watch forum should have more of! Thanks mate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Edubbel

Thats fantastic, what a contribution. Happy with my Hfac version so far. Thanks ALE!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
black263

ALE has spoken. The end.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ALE7575

I have added in second post the info and review of PAM 243 J-series with Tritium dial from H maker

 

ALE

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
bananakid0

Wow, amazing read!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
niqfra

Thank you Ale

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
hyped
I have added in second post the info and review of PAM 243 J-series with Tritium dial from H maker

 

ALE

 

ALE the effort you have made and indepth analysis on this is top notch and probably one of the most well thought out and clear reference posts I have read. Well done and thanks for the effort to make the murkey water of reps somewhat clearer! Outstanding! I'm not a huge PAM fan but I must say I love the 288 and considering getting one but it was even a superb read for me!

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
hyped

Give this man a sticky bun :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ALE7575

Thanks friend you are really kind and encouraging

Best

ALE

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
scootrkitz

So in conclusion which one to get? Does KW not carry any of these super rep 243's?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Abe Fromen

Very nice job! I have an H factory V1 and it's damned near perfect, IMO. Super rep all the way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
mysterio

The KW factory has not made any PAM243 models. You can only get Noob or HFac versions of this watch with the latest version to be V2.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
jakethemouse

CLAP:CLAP:CLAP

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Haltec

I don't know what to say.. Amazing review.

 

 

Just one small thing comes to my mind..

 

HE Valve REP functionality, accuracy etc..

 

Anyone knows or can point to the relevant topic?

 

Once again: KUDOS for all your efforts and knowledge sharing ALE.

 

 

Cheers

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×