Panerai - Which model?
Panerai - Which model?
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Discussion

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Hey folks,

Thinking of treating myself to a Panerai for my upcoming 40th.

Bit of guidance on model selection would be much appreciated. Tempted by just a straight up Luminor but as I wear a suit every day and have smallish wrists, perhaps the Due would be a better purchase? However, my understanding is this is a 'lesser' watch in many peoples eyes. For this sort of cash, you'd hope to be able to jump in pool with it on...

Is the 8 day the way to go? This looks nice:

https://www.chronext.co.uk/panerai/luminor-base/pa...

Anyway, any pointers would be appreciated and mistakes to watch out for in this purchase.





Edited by DoubleSix on Saturday 27th October 17:32

Fuzzy69r

182 posts

105 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Nice decision as I had a Pam 111 but my only gripe was the crown guard digging into the back of my hand , I do miss my old Panerai especially after being lucky enough to try on a Pam 616 carbotech a month ago and it was sublime, have you had a look on Chrono24 especially at some of the Panerai boutique only models

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Variations are making my head hurt though.... smile

Marina or not? (Both seem to be only 300m??)
Auto vs 8 Days?
Ti vs Steel?
Seconds dial or not?

arrrggh

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
PAM 564 is drawing me back...

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
It will depend a lot on what you like.
I have a 308, 111 and a 288.
Of the three I think my favourite is the Radiomir (288) but the 111 is a close second.
My only comment on them would be that the highly polished surface of the 111 and 288 mark much more easily than the 308, but this is true of any polished stainless watch.
The other point you shoukd bear in mind is that bracelets are unpopular with Panerai fans. Chunky vintage leather is the strap of preference amongst the Paneristi.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Tried a friends alligator strap yesterday and I think this suits the 'tool' nature quite nicely, especially with a Ti case...

Any views on the seconds dial?

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Personally I prefer the seconds dial.

Badda

3,572 posts

104 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
DoubleSix said:
Tried a friends alligator strap yesterday and I think this suits the 'tool' nature quite nicely, especially with a Ti case...

Any views on the seconds dial?
I think your thoughts on it are probably the only relevant thing. Assuming you’re buying it because YOU like it and want it

Slagathore

6,180 posts

214 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
You really need to try them on with the shirt/suit you intend on wearing them with mostly.

The 'Due' version is probably meant for the everyday suit wearer.

The 1950 Luminor case watches are pretty chunky and not ideal for suits.




DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Saturday 27th October 2018
quotequote all
Badda said:
DoubleSix said:
Tried a friends alligator strap yesterday and I think this suits the 'tool' nature quite nicely, especially with a Ti case...

Any views on the seconds dial?
I think your thoughts on it are probably the only relevant thing. Assuming you’re buying it because YOU like it and want it
Nah, mainly want it to impress others and because girls will think I'm awesome wink

It's for my 40th, not my 14th...

Armitage.Shanks

2,937 posts

107 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
PAM233 is the one that seems most popular and has a good amount of interest which means if you want to sell it on it will be less problematic than some of the other models. Pre-used in UK for decent money not so easy.

I prefer the earlier moon 'dot' rather than 'AM/PM' marker

Chris Stott

18,360 posts

219 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
Luminors are big watches, and depending on what model you get, they can be pretty thick too.... I have a 320 (1950 case), and it's not going under a shirt cuff.


DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
Bit confused...

There's an unboxing vid that shows the PAM564 with 'sausage' dials...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53phx0ECV9Q

but others show the PAM564 with the sandwich dials...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep6Xump7xv8

I'm pretty settled on this model but want to be clear which dial I'm getting... would prefer sandwich. Did they switch to sandwich in recent years?...







Edited by DoubleSix on Sunday 28th October 21:54

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
They switched from sandwich in recent years. If you want a sandwich dial you'll either need to find a used one or go for a more expensive model.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
Bit gutted tbh.

The sandwich dial is one of the design motifs I find most appealing about Panerai, and I thought I’d found the right watch in the 564... :/

ashleyman

7,222 posts

121 months

Sunday 28th October 2018
quotequote all
I'm a huge fan of Panerai watches, they're all very similar but I like all the small details and design changes through the different models. They're all quite large at 44mm and the glass on the front is quite tall.

Personally, I find the Luminor/base dial too plain especially with a sandwich dial. A sausage dial brightens the dial and adds a bit of weight to the face which I prefer.

My all time favourite Panerai is the PAM005, I owned one for a short while but sold it shortly before getting married. Often tempted to buy another but haven't bothered as they keep dropping in prince. It's a Luminor Marina with the logo and seconds. I also really like the design PAM660 with the blue logo and the hour dots, just never been a fan of white dials!!

I was lucky enough to try on a 5218-203A a few years ago.Beautiful watch.

Be careful with the newer releases. They're not legitimate dive watches anymore what with 100WR, the snap on casebacks and some don't even come with a strap let alone screwdriver.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

12,375 posts

198 months

Monday 29th October 2018
quotequote all
Looks like the 1950s retain the sandwich dial... anything other than case shape different on these?

Chris Stott

18,360 posts

219 months

Monday 29th October 2018
quotequote all
I have a 1950 PAM320. I love it, but it’s pretty thick, and won’t fit under a shirt cuff... also, I have a 7.5 wrist, and it’s a pretty big watch even on me.



rsbmw

3,466 posts

127 months

Monday 29th October 2018
quotequote all
112 is the way forward

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Monday 29th October 2018
quotequote all
rsbmw said:
112 is the way forward
If it wasn't discontinued....