PAM00720 - Radiomir

[oldcarz]

Hi folks,
Typically float between the Panerai and Rolex forums. Collecting both brands, and others, for years, but typically enjoy the larger Panerai and leather straps for weekend wear. As a bigger guy, I carry the 44-47mm watches well and may be among the less outspoken who think of the Rolex 40mm as "harder to see."

Today I'm sporting a recently acquired 720 RADIOMIR 3 DAYS ACCIAIO - 47MM. My first tendency is toward Luminors, have 005, 140, 372 and my daily beater, 88, so was intrigued when the salesman discussed special editions of the Radiomir 685 and 720 to me. I might have been really teased if I saw the 687 (brown/tropical) dial in the flesh, but when tried on for size, the Rads definitely feels smaller than the 372.

Not much published data, yet on the 720, but read information on the Panerai.com site about the 721. Both have the same movements and technical details, but the 721 is completely anonymous without any writing on it at all. Between 720 and 721, my preference was the limited writing on the 720 and very intrigued with the historical significance of how Rolex and Panerai delivered the watches with limited information about the manufacturing.

Was also told that the 720 and 721 were recently introduced with gold hands, and, at the last minute, were changed to the "correct" blue hands. Perhaps this is why there isn't much chatter about them. But, as a casual collector, I'm pleased with the efforts to make these new releases as lovely homages.

Came with a light beige PV strap, but will swap out to a gray asso and others in time. I have several ammo straps and others for the 372, and the 1mm difference in width won't make a difference on a Radiomir.

A couple of pix. Better closeups of the professionally taken photos on line as it is hard to show the blue hands against a muted black dial...

[Statos]

Congrats and thanks for the size comparison. I have been thinking about getting a Rad for my next Pam but really not sure about the size. I don't have an AD close by or Boutique to try them on. Curious what size your wrist is ? I have a 7 1/2 inch wrist.

[oldcarz]

Originally Posted by Statos

Congrats and thanks for the size comparison. I have been thinking about getting a Rad for my next Pam but really not sure about the size. I don't have an AD close by or Boutique to try them on. Curious what size your wrist is ? I have a 7 1/2 inch wrist.

Hi Statos,
I have a 7.5" wrist. Personally, I have never been concerned about a watch looking "too big" on me, if anything, I don't prefer the smaller watches (~36mm) that were popularized for many years. Since 99.99% of the time it's only me that looks at the watch and frequently wear long sleeves that partially cover it, I can't recall a time, ever, that I witnessed snickering by the watch police for wearing an oversized timepiece for my build

In fact, my wife actually wore white after Labor Day one year and we didn't get thrown out of the Opera. So fashion rules are softening

I posted a similar reply in the Rolex Forums about watch size and my preference for the larger PAMs. See post #28

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...42#post8498242

Regards and good luck with a Rad search. Nice to have some variety.

J

[Cru Jones]

Very nice, congrats! Looks fantastic on the grey asso.

[nick c]

Very nice! Congratulations

[Squalex]

Absolute beauty!

[agentmeister5]

Congrats! That 720 looks fantastic!

[rootbeer7]

Great looking piece.

[fullcourt]

721 always had blue hands....720 was converted to the blue hands

the lack of ‘chatter’ had nothing to do with the hands....
enjoy

[brandrea]

Congratulations, beauty

[itsjknight]

Very nice! I have the 424 in 47mm. Really feels like the perfect size for a Radiomir.

[Ravager135]

This watch really is perfect and pairs with the 448 and 449 as excellent examples of early base Radiomirs. I wish Panerai would offer something like this as a standard production model like they did with the 372.

[fullcourt]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

This watch really is perfect and pairs with the 448 and 449 as excellent examples of early base Radiomirs. I wish Panerai would offer something like this as a standard production model like they did with the 372.

the 232 & 249 are much better than the 448/449 imho

[erik asher]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

This watch really is perfect and pairs with the 448 and 449 as excellent examples of early base Radiomirs. I wish Panerai would offer something like this as a standard production model like they did with the 372.

You are absolutely correct here...not everyone understands the differences in the various 47mm SE Radiomirs...the 720/721 are exactly the same as the 448/449 except for the differences in the dial designs...and plexi, movement, case, thickness, etc...the 232/249 are apple and orange comparisons to the 448/449/720/721...of course, one can say that the 249 v 448 is apples to apples, but only from the superficial design of the Cali dial...even the nuanced designs are different and of course the case and plexi and very different...232 is in a class by itself and is a very different PAM from the 720/721/448/449...now, had the 720 kept its gold hands, it would have been more comparable to the 232...

One is not "better" than the other...it's all a matter of personal taste and understanding the similarities and differences...

And interestingly, the 721 is not truly anonymous as the dial ring has a beautiful "Panerai" inscription...a truly anonimo dial and watch similar to the 3646 prototypes would have these types of inscriptions...even the 249 has "Panerai" unscripted on one side of the case...

[peterszew]

Very Nice

[aperna]

Beautiful!!!!!

[1William]

Great looking watch.

[Urosfan]

Nice congrats

[erik asher]

I personally love the 720 and think it's much more balanced than the 721...brilliant choice!

[carlhaluss]

Fantastic looking watch! Congratulations! I am currently looking at acquiring this very model. Just hope they still have it next week, if/when I make up my alleged mind. It does look great on the grey strap as well, although I was very impressed by the beige Ponte Vecchio it comes on, when I saw it in person.
Cheers,
Carl

[MP5]

Which one of the 47mm Pam's have the thinnest case? I'm confused

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by MP5

Which one of the 47mm Pam's have the thinnest case? I'm confused

AFAIK, 232 and 249.

[fullcourt]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

AFAIK, 232 and 249.

^^^^this

[carlhaluss]

Originally Posted by oldcarz

Hi folks,
Typically float between the Panerai and Rolex forums. Collecting both brands, and others, for years, but typically enjoy the larger Panerai and leather straps for weekend wear. As a bigger guy, I carry the 44-47mm watches well and may be among the less outspoken who think of the Rolex 40mm as "harder to see."

Today I'm sporting a recently acquired 720 RADIOMIR 3 DAYS ACCIAIO - 47MM. My first tendency is toward Luminors, have 005, 140, 372 and my daily beater, 88, so was intrigued when the salesman discussed special editions of the Radiomir 685 and 720 to me. I might have been really teased if I saw the 687 (brown/tropical) dial in the flesh, but when tried on for size, the Rads definitely feels smaller than the 372.

Not much published data, yet on the 720, but read information on the Panerai.com site about the 721. Both have the same movements and technical details, but the 721 is completely anonymous without any writing on it at all. Between 720 and 721, my preference was the limited writing on the 720 and very intrigued with the historical significance of how Rolex and Panerai delivered the watches with limited information about the manufacturing.

Was also told that the 720 and 721 were recently introduced with gold hands, and, at the last minute, were changed to the "correct" blue hands. Perhaps this is why there isn't much chatter about them. But, as a casual collector, I'm pleased with the efforts to make these new releases as lovely homages.

Came with a light beige PV strap, but will swap out to a gray asso and others in time. I have several ammo straps and others for the 372, and the 1mm difference in width won't make a difference on a Radiomir.

A couple of pix. Better closeups of the professionally taken photos on line as it is hard to show the blue hands against a muted black dial...

Very glad to read your thread on this watch once again. I did decide to go for this model - after extensive research - and find it to have so many references to the original. It was intriguing to learn about the differences between the 720 and 721. And one of the things that intrigues me the most, is that there really is little published date. When the watches were first introduced last year, it was very hard to get much info, and all the focus seemed to be on the 721 with the anonymous dial. Yet, the 720 is the one that is a Special Edition of 500. I am very fortunate that I can still get one, and it should be coming in end of next week.

The astonishing thing about Panerai for me, is that it has entirely take my focus off Rolex, and any other watches I may have wished to acquire! We shall see, down the road, how all that pans out.

I actually love the beige Ponte Vecchio strap that comes with the watch. I do have a dark brown Ponte Vecchio that I purchased for my 424, and I think I will use it on the 720. I like how the darker strap looks on the 721. Nice to have the choice.

With all it's attributes and historical references, I can't wait to have it on my wrist. Especially loving the blued hands and plexiglass crystal. Does it get any better!? Hope you thoroughly enjoy yours as much as I know I will enjoy mine!

Cheers,
Carl

[Rolexavidfan]

Originally Posted by carlhaluss

Very glad to read your thread on this watch once again. I did decide to go for this model - after extensive research - and find it to have so many references to the original. It was intriguing to learn about the differences between the 720 and 721. And one of the things that intrigues me the most, is that there really is little published date. When the watches were first introduced last year, it was very hard to get much info, and all the focus seemed to be on the 721 with the anonymous dial. Yet, the 720 is the one that is a Special Edition of 500. I am very fortunate that I can still get one, and it should be coming in end of next week.

The astonishing thing about Panerai for me, is that it has entirely take my focus off Rolex, and any other watches I may have wished to acquire! We shall see, down the road, how all that pans out.

I actually love the beige Ponte Vecchio strap that comes with the watch. I do have a dark brown Ponte Vecchio that I purchased for my 424, and I think I will use it on the 720. I like how the darker strap looks on the 721. Nice to have the choice.

With all it's attributes and historical references, I can't wait to have it on my wrist. Especially loving the blued hands and plexiglass crystal. Does it get any better!? Hope you thoroughly enjoy yours as much as I know I will enjoy mine!

Cheers,
Carl

Same thought process. I was initially planning to get the Pam Base 610 (Rad 8 Days) but decided instead on the Pam 774 due to the Blue OP Logo.

Between the 720 and the 721, the former seems to be a more attractive option. I couldn’t have a watch with no brand name onto the dial.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jhcam8]

Beautiful! Congrats!

[daciotp]

Congrats!