OEM SS bracelet or ?

[ddczre]

I recently received a original model "OEM" bracelet with brushed and polished links from an ebay seller w good feedback. He claims to have a few of these from people who bought Panerais and wanted it on leather.
It is stamped tc and looks real but doesnt fit my PAM 312 because it has little tabs of the endlinks. The seller says the older model watches had nothches in the lugs and if i remove these little tabs it will fit.
My question is im paying around $550 for a bracelet that looks identical to a number of aftermarket SS but has Panerai etc stamped on the deployment. Does anyone know if this sounds right ir how i can tell real from replica?

Ill take some pics shortly and add.

Thanks!