I will try to explain why Panerai and what makes up my collection. Basically Panerai because of the bold and strong dial design, brand name and history. It is to me the ultimate tool watch, to be worn (but not abuse). Beautiful watches, steep with tradition and that Italian flair.
Most of the watches in my collection are 44 mm and are in the Historic collection (hand wind movement).
You will notice that most of the watches are not on the original strap as I do not use the straps. Some are on Panerai straps but they are not original to the watch as a set.
PAM00003B Luminor Marina 44 mm. Historic Collection. My first Panerai. White dial, polished case and crown guard, matte crown guard lever, solid case back. Water resistant to 30 ATM. OP II (ETA /Unitas 64XX base) movement. Black hands. Discontinued.
Had I not got this way back, I don't think I will have a white dial Panerai in the collection.
PAM00092G Luminor Arktos 44 mm. Special Edition. My first proper Special Edition. Specially created for Mike Horn and it is anti-magnetic. Based on the Submersible. Brushed case and crown guard. Solid case back with Arktos Engraving. Water resistant to 30 ATM. OP III (ETA 7750 base) movement. Special Edition of 500 pieces. Black hands. Discontinued.
Must have a special edition in the collection as it comes with a bigger box and certificates.
PAM00111H Luminor Marina 44 mm. Historic Collection. My first black dial Panerai. Sandwich dial, polished case, brushed crown guard, display back. Water resistant to 30 ATM. OP XI movement (ETA /Unitas 64XX base) with swan neck regulator. Black hour and minute hands, white seconds hand.
PAM00183J Radiomir Black Seal 45 mm. Historic Collection. The officers watch. My first Radiomir. Sandwich dial, polished case, no crown guard, display back. Water resistant to 10 ATM. OP XI movement (ETA /Unitas 64XX base) with swan neck regulator. Black hour and minute hands, white seconds hand. Wire lugs are held by 4 screws on the case back.
PAM00243I Luminor 1950 Submersible 1000 M 44 mm. Contemporary Collection. My first and perhaps only 1950 case and contemporary Panerai. Brushed case and crown guard. Solid case back. Water resistant to 100 ATM. OP III (ETA 7750 base) movement. Polished hands. Discontinued.
Must have a 1950 case in the collection. I have tried the 47 mm 1950 case models but an not able to carry them off. They sit high on the wrist. There are reasons why I got this watch. I had a PAM00024D, but sold it when I streamlined my collection to only model within the Historic collection. However the itch to get the PAM00024 was always there as I liked the watch. Always liked the Submersible.
Opportunity presented itself once sometime back, but I did not get it. Regretted it ever since. Second chance came, and I grabbed it. To me, it had to be the I series as it has the Tritium dial and the case does not come with the new quick release strap change mechanism. I don't like the mechanism. From J onwards, it has the mechanism, and from K onwards, the dial use SuperLuminova.
PAM00337M Radiomir 42 mm. Historic Collection. My first (well count as mine although bought for my wife) manufacture movement. Sandwich dial, polished case, no crown guard, display back. Water resistant to 10 ATM. Panerai calibre P999/1. Must have a manufacture movement in the collection. Polished hands. Discontinued.
PAM00367M Luminor Marina Special Edition China 44 mm. Special Edition. Actually this is my first Special Edition but it does not come with the large box. Painted dial (faux patina), polished case, brushed crown guard, solid case back. Water resistant to 30 ATM. OP II (ETA /Unitas 64XX base) movement. Black hour and minute hands, white seconds hand. Discontinued.
This watch is unique in that it does not come with an extra strap or tool (screwdriver) to change the strap. It's packaging is much like the packaging of the Radiomir PAM00183 and PAM00337.
What is 'missing' from the collection or what would 'complete' the collection? Some people say that there must be a base in the collection. I hope to get the PAM00390 Luminor 44 mm which is a base. There is also the Destro. So the PAM00219 would solve both needs as it is a base Destro. So if I don't get the PAM00390, I will go ahead and get the PAM00219. If I do get the PAM00390, I would still get the PAM00219, but that would close the collection and me calling it a day.
The other thing is the logo. Must have a logo in the collection. I am not really into the logo, but i might get a PAM00000 one day. What about a base Radiomir? Yes, the first Panerai issued were base Radiomir, much like the PAM00021 and PAM00232. That can be solved with the PAM00210. In fact, I would get the PAM00210 first before I get the PAM00000.
As it stands, the option is to get the PAM00219 and perhaps the PAM00210. The PAM00390 is a bonus. That I figure would be the state of my collection and that would bring the collection to a close.
