Thinking about picking up first Panerai

[awc8587]

Hello all!

I’m traveling to Japan next week and was looking to pick up my first Panerai. I like that it’s extremely legible but don’t know where to start. I do have small so not sure if anything above 44mm is going to work but open to suggestions! Think my budget would be about 6-8K


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Looking to pick up a used Panerai from Japan when I visit in a few weeks. I have somewhat small wrists so don’t think anything above 44mm will work, and looking to spend 8K max. Anyone have recommendations I should look into either in person or online?


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[wach16]

I would look at the 42MM submersible range. You should be able to find one in steel within your budget!

[APhound]

I’d stick to the classic sizing, I’ve tried the smaller ones and they never really do it for me. That’s a good budget to pick something up really nice used. Don’t let the mm numbers freak you out.
I will always love Panerais especially the classics


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[Moondoggy]

I’d go a radiomir they wear smaller then subs.

[inadeje]

The radiomir wears smaller than its specs would indicate. It isn’t called a cushion case for no reason

[awc8587]

Thanks all! Good to hear about size wearing smaller. I was looking at a pam0028 as I think I prefer the crown guard look over the radomir.

Any other ones you’d recommend?


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[Ciumaca]

Like you I have a small wrist but I wanted my Panerai, I got a 42mm Radiomir, I recommend you look at the PAM00574, it fits very well.

[awc8587]

Thanks for the suggestion! I also have my eye on the Pam 28 hoping it wears small but may opt for the simpler models

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[KenRose]

my first Panerai was the 183. I wanted the luminor look so I bought the 88 after. Had it for a couple years and sold it. Even thought the 183 is larger the 88 felt like a tank. Radiomir is the way to go!

[John Deaux]

Even the larger ones don't feel it. I started with a 111 and absolutely love it. I was concerned 44 was going to be too large but it ended up bumping all my other watches from the rotation. My next was a 1342, about the same, just a white dial. A couple years ago, I decided to try the 47mm 968 and it has become just about the only watch I wear. To be honest, my 40mm watches don't even feel right now. I don't have large wrists either, but Panerai makes the size so "doable".

[awc8587]

Ohh the 1342 looks classic. I’m going to look into it


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[Joearch]

Manual wind 44mm Luminor case. 000, 005, 111, 112, 176, or a 1950’s case 233 would strong options. A Radiomir case, you might look for a 210, 183, 380, 754. I would personally stay away from the 42mm or smaller Luminor. Wear the watch, don’t let it wear you. Lots of value in the preowned models I suggested.

[awc8587]

Thank you for the suggestions. As I'm looking more, I think I'm leaning towards an 8 day. Do 8 days with seconds and date exist?

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[WatchTimes]

Originally Posted by awc8587

Thank you for the suggestions. As I'm looking more, I think I'm leaning towards an 8 day. Do 8 days with seconds and date exist?

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PAM233 is the answer for your craving

[awc8587]

Would something like the 335 be inferior to the 233 movement wise since it’s an automatic 10 day instead of wind?


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[Giovannibravo]

Originally Posted by awc8587

Hello all!

I’m traveling to Japan next week and was looking to pick up my first Panerai. I like that it’s extremely legible but don’t know where to start. I do have small so not sure if anything above 44mm is going to work but open to suggestions! Think my budget would be about 6-8K


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking to pick up a used Panerai from Japan when I visit in a few weeks. I have somewhat small wrists so don’t think anything above 44mm will work, and looking to spend 8K max. Anyone have recommendations I should look into either in person or online?


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So I’ve tried the PAM01086 and got a small wrist. I think the 44mm is a little smaller than advertised. Also, when buying a PAM, you must know it’s an oversized style.

[awc8587]

That’s good to hear! For reference, this is how a 124060 looks on my wrist


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[Giovannibravo]

So, I would go in and try them on. I have a 124060, and my wrist is about the same size as yours. Don't look at the case size too much, as Rolex always wears bigger because of the bracelet, which causes a longer lug to lug.

[StanCho]

With Panerai, less is more or buy another one once you realize this ;)

I'd go for a classic two hander in a so called bettarini case, not the 1950 as they wear a bit different especially for us from the smaller wrist isle.

So, my choice was a modern one, ref 914. Manual wind, 8 days PR, no seconds or date and a sandwich dial. Wears nice on my flat 6.3 wrist, no overhang. Just get a custom strap as the OEM ones, at least leather, are crappy with cardboard inserts so not really waterproof.

[htc8p]

i think hk would be a better place to choose a panerai. but you may find a hidden gem in japan. i always end up wearing a panerai. i suggest to go straight to the classic 47 mm 2 hands. a second choice would be the base models

[awc8587]

Ah really? Sadly not going to HK but hopefully they’ll have some gems in Japan. My second option is an explorer so at least those are plentiful


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[wcgreiner]

Japan has some great secondhand watch shops—check out Jack Road, GMT, or Rasin in Tokyo for solid Panerai options... Since you prefer smaller sizes, consider the Luminor 40mm or 42mm models for a better fit...

Try them on in person if you can, and enjoy the hunt!