plan to buy a panerai. guidance pls

[kygan711]

I struggle a bit when I bought my Panerai watch because I feel their design between models are very similar.
Except when you decide Luminor vs Radiomir then it's quite different because of the shape. When you go into the individual categories say Luminor you need to determine which of this feature is important to you:

- With Seconds or Without Seconds
- Date or without date
- Sandwich Dial or Non Sandwich Dial
- Exposed Caseback or Unexposed
- Power Reserve 56h, 3day, 8 day or 10 day
- Steel, Ceramic, Composite case material
- In house or ETA Based Movement

This helped me narrow my options easier. Otherwise on facial look they look very similar to me.

[Timeless]

- With Seconds or Without Seconds
first pam can go for seconds
- Date or without date
Wear for daily or weekend?
- Sandwich Dial or Non Sandwich Dial
Modern or vintage
- Exposed Caseback or Unexposed
Modern for exhibition case back or vintage for solid case back
- Power Reserve 56h, 3day, 8 day or 10 day
Daily go for semi-auto or weekend go for handwound
- Steel, Ceramic, Composite case material
ss is always evergreen, ceramic/composite must wear with care
- In house or ETA Based Movement
Modern or vintage

Just my 2 cents, hope it makes sense

[rrk]

After reading the thread, I think the members have given very good advice.

The only think I would like to add is that try out the Panerai you are going to buy to see how it fits and feels and if you are comfortable with the weight.

I personally have had 3 Panerais - Pam 90, 512 & 392. The Pam 90 i sold as I found it uncomfortable to wear for long hours. The Pam 392 I feel the same (though it has a transparent case back and is 42mm), as it wears real high on the wrist. Might sell this and buy the Pam 564 as its manual winding and titanium (which makes it really light).

The Pam 512 I absolutely love it. It's 42mm and fits really well on the wrist and is also very light. The only think is that its a 1940's style Pam and looks more like a formal watch which I like.

I hope this post is of some use to the other members.





Photo of the PAM512

[Danheng1]

Tumpang a bit.

Does it matter for Panerai lovers to go for in-house movement? Is OP XI caliber ETA-based and got modified by Panerai?

yes.
heavily modified

18,000 bph to 21,600 bph
new bridges
bridges decorated with geneva stripe
bridges beveled
base plate perlaged
blued screw
rodhium plated
etc

to admire the movement and sandwich dial
you may go for pam112

pam112 / 111 movement also added
swan neck regulator

pam111 or pam 005 also come with cosc cert

you wont go wrong with either of those qouted, just follow your taste, not others
you wear it....

personally i prefer PAM 372 if you look for luminor
its fitted in 1950 47mm case, cushion case always appeals to me

and

some basic radiormir

Wow.. interesting details.

So if a Rolex guy wants to buy just ONE Panerai (max case size not more than 44mm), which one would it be? The 112?

Thanks!

I'm a Rolex guy and did bought a 112. Sold it as I find it uncomfortable to wear.. Too top heavy but that may be mostly due to my small wrist (6.5"). On the positive side, I do like the sandwich dial and the minimalist design plus all the different straps you can put on.

[RRL]

Differenty people buy for different reasons. Eventually it all boils down to your objective: buying the look, mechanism, resale value, feel (comfort).

Only Panerai I had before was PAM512. Extremely comfortable with the wear, as it sits very well on my wrist. Look is classic, simple but elegant. With an inhouse mechanism - you can't go wrong with its resale value.

Only thing that I can't get used to is the manual winding mechanism...having to wind it every two days or so can be quite a pain, though some may find this to be extremely satisfying.