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...