PAM 422 Goes to Italy!

[YoungW]

Hi All,

I recently received a PAM 422 about a month ago as a gift to celebrate my wedding on Sept 26th.

The first time I saw a Panerai I was immediately hooked, even if I didn't know it. At the time, I was wearing an Omega 2254 Seamaster, and the Luminor style watch with the large crownguard looked so different from anything else I had seen before. Although I thought the watch looked ugly, I felt inexplicably drawn to the design.

My interest in Panerai and watches in general picked up, and I came very close to picking up a Zero or 112, but I ultimately held off because I decided to leave my job and go back to grad school.

Fast forward five years and a lot sure has changed. First and foremost, is my recent marriage to a lovely lady who not only appreciates me, but also my passion for Panerai.

In fact, she was the one who suggested I get a Panerai as my wedding gift! I hadn't really kept current on the latest models, so I spent about a month doing research on the web and trying out different models in person. I narrowed it down to the 372 and 422, and eventually picked the 422 because of the PR indicator and sapphire crystal.

I was able to pick one up BNIB with AD stamped warranty in late August through the jeweler who made my engagement and wedding rings, but I wasn't allowed to wear it out in public until the wedding date of September 26th per the future wife's orders. No problem for me, as I happily spent a month admiring it at home while I researched straps and waited for the big day to arrive.

Now, an interlude for some pics :)

Here's a picture I took as I wore it home from the jeweler's that day:



And here's another picture I took at home on the couch next to my Seamaster:



Fast forward to the wedding day, and I wore the 422 on black OEM gator with a midnight blue tuxedo. It was truly special day that I will forever remember and cherish :)





After the big day, we packed our bags and left for a 10 day honeymoon in Italy. I felt it was only fitting to bring the 422 along, even though my wife was a little apprehensive!

We flew into Rome and visited and took a private tour of the Coliseum, followed by a private food tour at night.



Then we took a train to Naples where a car drove us down to Sorrento where we had our first taste of Itallian Cappucino and ate at our first Michelin 2 star restaurant:





After 3 days in Sorrento we took a ferry to Capri, where we relaxed by the pool, went hiking, and took a lift to the top of Monte Solaro.







Also as an aside, watch shopping is very good in Capri. There was a Panerai AD in the main square that was giving about 10-15% discount along with 12% VAT refund on most models, including 389 and 572 which looked really great in person. There was also a Rolex AD that was giving about 5-10% off sports models plus the additional 12% VAT refund as well. The wife gave me permission, but I held off since the wedding and honeymoon set us back a bit. Maybe next time!

After Capri we took another ferry to our final destination of Positano, a coastal town built entirely on a cliff!



We had a lovely time exploring the coast and taking a private cooking class where we made ravioli and pasta from scratch!

http://i.groupme.com/747x1328.png.dc...a7ac7c3a4a96f0

A lot of lounging by the pool occurred, as we were getting tired from the trip!



After a long 20 hour door to door trip, we were finally back at home. Surprise, my new Gunny strap arrived while I was gone!



Thanks for making it this far, and hope you enjoyed the pictures!!

-Young

[Auto16610]

Beautiful wife and beautiful watch!

[nick c]

Great shots congrats and welcome

[Ravager135]

Fantastic wedding, you have great taste.

[RollyFan98012]

Congrats on both the wedding and 422! Thank you for sharing. 😀👍🏽👏🏽


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[denmanproject]

Well done all around

[YoungW]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Here is the pic from the pasta making class, and here is another from a pizza making class we took in Sorrento. Napolitan pizza really is the best in the world!

[wmh2]

Very nice photos and double congrats!

[1st amg]

Congrats on your big day and great panerai. My wife and I also honeymooned in the amalfi coast nine years ago. There is a picture of you lounging by a pool, it looks like a hotel in Capri, the Weber possibly?

[YoungW]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Congrats on your big day and great panerai. My wife and I also honeymooned in the amalfi coast nine years ago. There is a picture of you lounging by a pool, it looks like a hotel in Capri, the Weber possibly?

Thanks!! We stayed at the Villa Brunelli in Capri, Tramontano in Sorrento, and Punta Regina in Positano. How did you enjoy your time in the Amalfi?

[10XRolex]

Fantastic pictures all the way around for the most memorable time of your life.
Congratulations three times over, watch, wedding and honeymoon.

[cervantes]

Great pics!

[john333]

Great story...really cool that your first Panerai marks such an important occasion in your life!!

Congrats on your first Pam and more importantly on your nuptials.

[Onceupon]

Fantastic trip congrats on the wedding and the great gift!!!

[Cru Jones]

What a fantastic post. Congratulations!!!

[Psmith]

Congrats - and great photos

Love the 422

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by YoungW

Thanks!! We stayed at the Villa Brunelli in Capri, Tramontano in Sorrento, and Punta Regina in Positano. How did you enjoy your time in the Amalfi?

We loved it, my wife is from Italy and we were married there, but she had never been to the amalfi coast. It was a beautiful week we spent there, but holy cow was it ever expensive. I remember paying 29€ for two cappuccinos! I also made the mistake of driving our rental car too the hotel in Capri, those little tiny narrow streets ate up the rental car, I returned it to Avis rental car in Calabria with both mirrors missing! Funny story to say the least. Enjoy the best country in the world. Now go buy some more straps for the 422.

[YoungW]

Originally Posted by 10XRolex

Fantastic pictures all the way around for the most memorable time of your life.
Congratulations three times over, watch, wedding and honeymoon.

Originally Posted by cervantes

Great pics!

Originally Posted by john333

Great story...really cool that your first Panerai marks such an important occasion in your life!!

Congrats on your first Pam and more importantly on your nuptials.

Originally Posted by Onceupon

Fantastic trip congrats on the wedding and the great gift!!!

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

What a fantastic post. Congratulations!!!

Originally Posted by Psmith

Congrats - and great photos

Love the 422

Thank you gents! Happy to have finally signed up at TRF, perhaps the friendliest and most mature of the watch forums ive been reading :)

Originally Posted by 1st amg

We loved it, my wife is from Italy and we were married there, but she had never been to the amalfi coast. It was a beautiful week we spent there, but holy cow was it ever expensive. I remember paying 29€ for two cappuccinos! I also made the mistake of driving our rental car too the hotel in Capri, those little tiny narrow streets ate up the rental car, I returned it to Avis rental car in Calabria with both mirrors missing! Funny story to say the least. Enjoy the best country in the world. Now go buy some more straps for the 422.

You are a brave man for driving in Italy! We had a private driver who took us along the coast from Positano to Amalfi and then Ravello for a day. It's insane how the Italians manage to drive two ways on a one lane road built on a cliff!

You also aren't joking about the costs down there... if the honeymoon were cheaper I might have pulled the trigger at the AD in Capri!

[eonflux]

Congrats on the wedding and the watch!
Love the 422.

[Hairdude1]

Awesome shots! Congrats on the wedding!

[1William]

Congrats on the wedding, trip and a cool 422.

[Soulspawn]

Congrats on the nuptials! What a beautiful place to have a holiday, and what great will power to say no to a new watch when the wife has given permission!


Cheers, Wen

[Pattyb69]

Congrats on the watch, wedding, and honeymoon! Awesome shots/story!

The 422 is a great piece. I almost picked one up last year at the Florence Boutique, but held off because I couldn't decide between the 422 and 233. I eventually picked up the 233 but the 422 is still on my wrist list!

[Tmac478]

Great story and beautiful pictures.
I visit Italy regularly as my wife was born there.
So many great cities and places to see.

That 422 is a great looking watch!!

[opaline460]

2Congrats!

[sea-dweller]

Great photos!

[YoungW]

Thanks guys! I do really enjoy the 422, but part of me wants to pick up a 372 too.

Seen quite a few in mint condition used going for 6000-6500, but can't quite justify owning two watches that are so similar.

My next watch likely will be a Rolex sports model.

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[10after10]

Have you seen Paneristis and their collections?!?!??!

In a way they ALL look very similar hahaha

Congrats on your wedding, honeymoon and the watch!

New beginnings!

[mikkolopez]

Congratulation on your wedding and new watch. Enjoy.


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[Abdullasaif]

Huge congrats on getting married! The Pam is at home in Italy