It's a Disease

[Goose]

Stumbled here from the Rolex side.
Greetings.
But now I'm thinking PAM 111G, 117, or 390.
Opinions towards 1st Panerai welcome.

Thanks for all your great posts and pics.
Somebody slap some sense into me. But, alas, the WISisytis is terminal.
Aloha...

[TswaneNguni]

372 as a first buy would be brilliant ...wink wink nudge nudge

[andrew79]

LOL ... 372 is very good candidate for 1st pam for sure...

[kilyung]

Start with 111

[Goose]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'm leaning towards a 111. Like the sandwich dial.
But ask me tomorrow...
I'll keep reading and looking. But wished to thank you for the gracious replies.

[43builder]

it happens. i said only one, now i have 4 with another 2 planned in the coming 2 months

[Shade]

Start with the 111 or 112 or 000. The 372 is not good for a starter, its a watch that you need to like before you decide to buy. First of all its fairly large, jumping from Rolex's largest offering of 41mm to a whopping 47mm is a massive difference. You will feel awkward and uneased. To top it off, the price is quite expensive at the moment and has the least complication of all inhouse movements. It also have a plexiglass instead of a crystal which means you will get scrtches all around, and furthermore, it has a vintage shade patina that may not suit everyone.

I personally think you'd hate a panerai if you jump from Rolex to 372. But once you are across the darkside fully, 372 is a pam you'd swear by.

[Naya72]

I just ordered 000 and waiting for it to arrive. Will compare it with sub no date. But for now, all I can say is I hate waiting..

[stockae92]

111 is definition popular, but consider base as well: 000, 112, 176 ...

I started with 111 and end up with a 176 and I am not looking back :)

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Goose

Stumbled here from the Rolex side.
Greetings.
But now I'm thinking PAM 111G, 117, or 390.
Opinions towards 1st Panerai welcome.

Thanks for all your great posts and pics.
Somebody slap some sense into me. But, alas, the WISisytis is terminal.
Aloha...

Originally Posted by Goose

Thank you, gentlemen. I'm leaning towards a 111. Like the sandwich dial.
But ask me tomorrow...
I'll keep reading and looking. But wished to thank you for the gracious replies.

If you want a sandwich dialed 111, do not go for a 111G, you need a 111 H or higher. G was a painted dial.

[mfer]

Also, there have been a number of "higher quality" fake Panerai as of late. Be sure you buy the seller and don't go for a super deal.

[topgear]

i would love to buy a 000 some day

[Perilo]

Originally Posted by Goose

Stumbled here from the Rolex side.
Greetings.
But now I'm thinking PAM 111G, 117, or 390.
Opinions towards 1st Panerai welcome.

Thanks for all your great posts and pics.
Somebody slap some sense into me. But, alas, the WISisytis is terminal.
Aloha...

You cannot go wrong with 111 or the 112 as a starter...just make sure you are prepared to spend more than a few dollars on straps. IMO one of the best things about Panerai ownership is the endless strap options...I am at 23 straps and counting...now that I say that I am sure I have a strap problem

[rohardi]

How about a 312?

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by rohardi

How about a 312?

[Goose]

Thanks all.
Am considering the size since I'm boney. Just under a 7" wrist.
Wear a 47mm Invicta 1542...looks like a rapper's clock on my wrist. But I like it. Hell, I "had" to have a watch with blue lume ;)

Back to size matters...
Once I'm able to get out and about, I'll head to Davidson Licht in Walnut Creek. Think they're the closest AD.

Narrowed down to 111 or 177. But, THANK YOU all for the comments. Informative. Example; was thinking 111G. And same with 300.

Perspectives and data here are worth more than the price of membership ;)

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Goose

Perspectives and data here are worth more than the price of membership ;)

seeing as you haven't contributed to the forum, i can see why you say that!

just kidding. good luck with the hunt. keep your mind open, try on several options and have fun.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Goose

Narrowed down to 111 or 177. But, THANK YOU all for the comments. Informative.

I currently own a 000 and a 177 and I find myself wearing the 177 far more often because the lighter weight makes it more comfortable, especially in the warmer weather. I also like the slightly darker, brushed finish on the case. I also like the 177 because it is a bit rarer than the 111.

Good luck in your decision and keep us posted with your progress!

[Goose]

I will keep ya posted gents.
Wanted to do a 2012 contribution and posted an inquiry on how to do so...but, I'm in no hurry ha ha ;)

[eric23]

a 111 or a 177 are both nice watches to start with.

[Shikar]

Originally Posted by rohardi

How about a 312?

I had the base, but quickly found and kept the 312. The perfect Panerai.

Regards.

[toulouse]

Originally Posted by Goose

I will keep ya posted gents.
Wanted to do a 2012 contribution and posted an inquiry on how to do so...but, I'm in no hurry ha ha ;)

Don't worry, we'll keep this thread warm for you. And take your time hunting. Your tastes might change the longer you browse.

[Goose]

Thanks.
Read the 2012 pledge happens on or near Feb 28. I'm gunning for the 29th to get in an extra day for leap year.
Miles of Smiles...

[Psmith]

Just bear in mind that the 111 and several other manual wind models do not hack, which can be off-putting for some people

[Goose]

Ohhhhh....that bums me. All one learns here is not happy. But important to know.

Can it be tricked into stalling a hack? I can roll back my Speedmaster Pro in reverse a bit and hold the sub-second.

--->>> Can the 111 do that?

BTW, that Speedy is awesome. Not COSC yet keeps time better than my GMTIIC (+4s/24h) and old GMTII from early 90. Runs along with my 1984 Date just at about -2s/24h. Maybe it was the luck of the draw that I bought them both in the mid-80's. And my stinking 2004 Breitling GMT that ran -15/24h after only 3 yrs of very light wear.

Thanks for letting me brag about my Speedy. But, especially letting me know about the hack.

--->>> What about the 177? I'll see if I can find out elsewhere in the interim, but can that hack?

Cheers to all...

[watchdaddy1]

It's a disease that can't be satisfied w/ just 1...Good luck on your decision,the 2 you have narrowed down are good choices IMO..Just remember after feeding the need it does not stop there-- then the strap whoring commences, These days I own more straps then pieces ....you will also see your tastes changed the more you look.. Decisions,decisions.

[F&Iguy]

good luck on your new Pam whatever 1 you buy, I want one to

[Scott Dresner]

I like the 112 or Pam 24

[cger]

111 and 177 use the same movement. They are based on Unitas 6497 movement which is very reliable pocket watch movement but also very cheap. Yes the bridges are recut and decorated and the regulator is converted into swan neck but in the end this is a low $100's movement made into a better looking one. Nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking to put that much money into a model like 177 you may really want to look at a model with an in-house movement. Mint condition pre-owned 312 you can find at 25% discount which would be less then new 177 I believe and you get an in-house movement versus the 6497 and that's a mojor difference, at least you get what you pay for. And if you really like Titanium, check out 351.

Originally Posted by Goose

Thanks for letting me brag about my Speedy. But, especially letting me know about the hack.

--->>> What about the 177? I'll see if I can find out elsewhere in the interim, but can that hack?

Cheers to all...

[bcacncnc]

As a first PAM - I would go for the 111 or 000.