A couple of questions for the initiated

[KBM]

Hey guys, please advise on the following:

1) While browsing Paneristi.com, I noticed they mention that the screws which attach the strap to the watch run inside metal tubes, which in turn are inside the edge of the strap? If this is so, when ordering a custom strap from one of the many makers, is it necessary to purchase a set of these metal tubes to go into the strap?

2) Does Panerai keep track of watch production dates using different patterns of serial numbers, like Rolex used to do with the letters, before random serials came along? In other words, if I wanted to make sure that the watch I'm purchasing is of the newest available series, should I look for a specific serial number series?


Thanks!

[bigflax925]

1) If the straps you buy are for a Panerai (ie: not just a "standard" 24mm strap), it might already come with tubes. If not, you can either push out the tubes in your current strap and put them in your new strap, or buy some. They are very inexpensive.

2) Buy the latest "letter" series. Each Panerai will have a letter prefix to a number with "A" in 1998 up to "P" in 2013 designates the year produced. It will typically be something like P123/500 which would indicate that it's watch # 123 in it's series of 500 from 2013. Each watch reference will have it's own series and number in the series.

The serial number itself starts with BB and is an ongoing number from the first serial numbers in 1997. It started at BB970001.

Originally Posted by kauebm

Hey guys, please advise on the following:

1) While browsing Paneristi.com, I noticed they mention that the screws which attach the strap to the watch run inside metal tubes, which in turn are inside the edge of the strap? If this is so, when ordering a custom strap from one of the many makers, is it necessary to purchase a set of these metal tubes to go into the strap?

2) Does Panerai keep track of watch production dates using different patterns of serial numbers, like Rolex used to do with the letters, before random serials came along? In other words, if I wanted to make sure that the watch I'm purchasing is of the newest available series, should I look for a specific serial number series?


Thanks!

[kilyung]

I always use tubes with every strap. Just buy them on eBay or someplace cheap.

I believe the latest serials are now O or P?

[KBM]

Originally Posted by bigflax925

1) If the straps you buy are for a Panerai (ie: not just a "standard" 24mm strap), it might already come with tubes. If not, you can either push out the tubes in your current strap and put them in your new strap, or buy some. They are very inexpensive.

2) Buy the latest "letter" series. Each Panerai will have a letter prefix to a number with "A" in 1998 up to "P" in 2013 designates the year produced. It will typically be something like P123/500 which would indicate that it's watch # 123 in it's series of 500 from 2013. Each watch reference will have it's own series and number in the series.

The serial number itself starts with BB and is an ongoing number from the first serial numbers in 1997. It started at BB970001.

Great info, thanks!

Originally Posted by kilyung

I always use tubes with every strap. Just buy them on eBay or someplace cheap.

I believe the latest serials are now O or P?

Good to know they don't have to be the Panerai supplied ones and that they are readily available for little cost.

[masterserg]

According to Micah (well respected strap maker and one of my favorites):

"If your watch is a Luminor or 1950 style Panerai (with solid lugs that use a screw or the newer pin system) yes, your strap needs tubes. If you have any other type of watch, including a Radiomir style Panerai, you do not need tubes in your straps and using tubes could damage your watch."

The above paragraph is copied from his site.

I would only add that you do not necessarily need tubes, but using them will increase the strap's life.

[canwatchco]

try panatime for spare tubes.

[KBM]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by bigflax925

...It started at BB970001.

Did not know that.
Thx!

Perhaps you can confirm something for me; I understood that the serial (BB) number determines in what order a particular unit was produced and not the series number.

This would mean that PAM000 M1321/1500 could have been produced before M0123/1500... .

the oddest thing to suggest, I know, but I've read this several times and still have problems understanding the logic. Only a Rolex expert can figure it out, considering my "A" 16600 came out after P and before U...

Thx

[Amez]

I like the Panerai system. It makes sense to me. The list I keep of year codes is:

A - 1998
B - 1999
C - 2000
D - 2001
E - 2002
F - 2003
G - 2004
H - 2005
I - 2006
J - 2007
K - 2008
L - 2009
M - 2010
N - 2011
O - 2012
P - 2013

[lapince]

All the straps I bought came with tubes, the only one where I was asked if I wanted tubes or not is the Mauser I ordered yesterday from Micah, apparently if it's for a Rad you don't need the tubes, as far as I understood, in any case they should include the tubes