Incoming - PAM00183 Radiomir (Long Story)

[inadeje]

Let me start by saying—I’ve been deep into Panerai for the past two decades. I’ve owned quite a few over the years, including the legendary 127 Fiddy, Tuttonero, Regatta 526, 351, 687, and plenty more. But at some point, I grew disenchanted with the brand’s direction and my own choices, eventually selling off all my Panerai—except for one: the Bronzo 671.

Unintentionally, though, I had accumulated a serious stockpile of OEM straps—24mm, 26mm, even some 27mm—all sitting untouched in multiple strap cases. I bought most of them back when *Paneristi-com* was the go-to place for Panerai talk, and OEM straps were a reasonable $100–$150 max. Now, when I browse Panerai’s site and see those same straps listed for $400–$460 a pop, I can’t help but chuckle. If that’s today’s market, I’m apparently sitting on over $10K worth of Panerai straps.

That left me with two choices: sell the straps or pick up a couple of Panerai that could actually use them. And to be honest, I started to miss the essence of a true, no-frills, classic Panerai—the quintessential black sandwich dial, small seconds at 9 o’clock, clear case back. A rugged, under-the-radar summer beater.

After all these years, I’m convinced that the real golden era of Panerai was the late ‘90s to early 2000s—when the brand brought back its Radiomir and Luminor cases and paired them with beautifully finished but simple ETA movements. So, strictly as a no-stress, go-anywhere summer beater, I picked up a minty PAM 111 with the older OP XI ETA movement. It checks every box I wanted, came at a great price, and works with all my 24mm straps. I wore it most of summer 2024, rotating with my Speedy all around Europe.

I still have the Bronzo 671, which takes 26mm straps, but some of my wider 26mm and 27mm straps just don’t match the bronze case and blue dial. That meant I needed a wider lugged Radiomir that fit the same criteria but could handle my larger straps. Enter my latest incoming: a PAM00183. OP XI movement, mid-2000s release, sandwich dial, small seconds, exhibition case back, black dial—the whole package. And best of all, it finally lets me put my 26mm and 27mm straps to use.

As those who’ve followed my posts know, I’ve stopped wearing watches that could make me a target for the growing number of watch thieves in the European places I enjoy spending my summers. That rules out Rolex (and anything more valuable), making these Panerai the perfect fit—classic, under the radar, and endlessly versatile thanks to the strap-swapping potential.

This new to me PAM 183 comes with a big thanks to Dito Sakhokia at Luxury Bazaar, PA, for a smooth buying experience and overnight delivery. It’s an O serial, so 2012, and #721 of 1000 made that year. It’s condition belies its age-must have been a safe queen in its previous life. Now, I can finally put my collection of OEM Panerai straps to work on what I believe are the only two quintessential Panerai models still worth owning—well, besides my 671, of course.

[crazycarlitos]

Congrats on the 111 and 183.
Both r classics and full of Panerai dna imo.

Well done. And welcome back lol.

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by crazycarlitos

Congrats on the 111 and 183.
Both r classics and full of Panerai dna imo. Well done. And welcome back lol.

Originally Posted by BNA/LION

Congratulations!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by crazycarlitos

Congrats on the 111 and 183.
Both r classics and full of Panerai dna imo.

Well done. And welcome back lol.

What kept me coming back to Panerai, beyond its unmistakable design language, was the history behind each variant and the connection I felt after decades of collecting. Some watches weren’t just timepieces—they were symbols of an era, markers of a golden age when Panerai was truly on top of the world.

The PAM183 stands as the longest continuously produced Radiomir under a single reference (2004–2016, 12 years). A watch that perfectly captured the essence of the original wire-lug Radiomirs, it remained a staple throughout Panerai’s prime years.

Then there’s the PAM111 Luminor Marina, produced from 2002 to 2016 (~14 years)—the second longest-running Luminor after the legendary PAM000 ("Zero"), which had an impressive 19-year run. These models weren’t just popular; they were icons of an era, the foundation of Panerai’s meteoric rise.

Both the PAM183 and PAM111 defined Panerai’s heyday—and fittingly, their production ended just before the brand’s decline. For someone like me, who had a finite but passionate love affair with Panerai during its peak, these watches are more than just reminders of great craftsmanship. They’re a salute to a brand that once soared, a nostalgic tribute to a time when Panerai was truly flying high.

[RW16610]

Congratulations!

[Joearch]

OP, great post. The 183 is an excellent addition. I’m in a similar situation as you. I have a number of great leather straps collected many years ago for both Luminor and Radiomir cases. The older reference models are appealing and excellent value. I’m happy to have a 372, 390, 416, 233 and a 380 and still try various strap combinations. Each was bought preowned at a price that will allow for excellent value retention.

[rajurama]

Welcome back and enjoy all your straps! Panerai are the only watches people buy with passion and heart.

Now I am really curious to see all your straps collection :D

[juve]

Congratulations!

[Bazil]

Congrats and enjoy …

[SWS65SM]

Thanks for sharing! Am also interested in getting back into a 183 G series or 210, love the curves of the Rads made during that era. Many if not most on the market have seen polishing over the years and the casings no longer have that subtle edges/corners, real tough to come across an unmolested copy .... Congrats and enjoy!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by SWS65SM

Thanks for sharing! Am also interested in getting back into a 183 G series or 210, love the curves of the Rads made during that era. Many if not most on the market have seen polishing over the years and the casings no longer have that subtle edges/corners, real tough to come across an unmolested copy .... Congrats and enjoy!

I totally get why you're after a G-series PAM183—being from 2004 and the first production run, it definitely holds a special place in Panerai history. The subtle dial and movement differences that changed from H-series onward make the G unique, especially with that engraved "Panerai" repetition on the movement and the original dial text placement.

I remember my (sold) PAM127 "Fiddy" had the same movement engraving style as the G-series, so I can appreciate how these details matter. With only 1,000 G-series 183 units made, I completely agree—finding a truly unmolested example is gonna take time (and money!), but honestly, isn’t that part of the fun? The thrill of the chase?

That said, I think Panerai pricing right now is in a really attractive spot. I managed to snag these two at just under 50% of the original MSRP with tax, which, to me, is an absolute steal. These are THE watches that fueled Panerai’s rebirth, and from a value-retention standpoint, it’s a no-brainer. I firmly believe Panerai will have a resurgence, and when that happens, these early examples will be the ones that collectors hunt down the most.

For now, I’ve locked down my two staple summer watches, and with a solid strap collection, I’ll have plenty to play around with. Just picked up a 1.4mm slotted screwdriver for the Radiomen and a 1.6mm for the Luminor, so I’m all set. The entire kit is heading to Europe this summer, where it’ll stay at my place over there for future summer use.

Good luck on the hunt for a G-series 183—definitely keep us posted if you land one!
🚀

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Joearch

OP, great post. The 183 is an excellent addition. I’m in a similar situation as you. I have a number of great leather straps collected many years ago for both Luminor and Radiomir cases. The older reference models are appealing and excellent value. I’m happy to have a 372, 390, 416, 233 and a 380 and still try various strap combinations. Each was bought preowned at a price that will allow for excellent value retention.

That’s quite a collection! I remember being undecided between the 372 and 127 back in the day. Ultimately, I went with the 127 (now sold) over 20 years ago now-time flies. The 380 radiomir logo is nice. I also considered it but wanted the display case back on mine. Very nice assortment you have right there

[brandrea]

Congratulations

I love wire lug RADS.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Onequik135i]

Congrats on your 2 new older pieces. I was a late bloomer to the Panerai world, I took a liking to the brand in 2018 or so. And read up on the 111 & finally found a nice I series full set sandwich dial example with Italian warranty card during the early time of the pandemic 2020. After a few others came & went all that remains is the 111 and fell in love w the 170 (that T dial in anthracite shines well under the FL sunlight). I was lucky to find a full set in TX and that was that. Then i recently took a liking to the 360. Love the PVD along with that dial. And added that one, kind of reminds me of how omega resurrected the Ed white 321 in a way. I would like to add a G 183 someday but not a necessity … you are certainly very passionate for the brand. Welcome back :)

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Congratulations

I love wire lug RADS.

Have any Panerai Brian?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Have any Panerai Brian?

I used to have a 690. Great watch and enjoyed it for many years


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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Onequik135i

Congrats on your 2 new older pieces. I was a late bloomer to the Panerai world, I took a liking to the brand in 2018 or so. And read up on the 111 & finally found a nice I series full set sandwich dial example with Italian warranty card during the early time of the pandemic 2020. After a few others came & went all that remains is the 111 and fell in love w the 170 (that T dial in anthracite shines well under the FL sunlight). I was lucky to find a full set in TX and that was that. Then i recently took a liking to the 360. Love the PVD along with that dial. And added that one, kind of reminds me of how omega resurrected the Ed white 321 in a way. I would like to add a G 183 someday but not a necessity … you are certainly very passionate for the brand. Welcome back :)

That’s another solid selection of Panerai right there. To be honest, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Panerai lost its luster for me years ago. Over a 10-15 year period, I gradually let go of several references, realizing that for me, the true Panerai essence lies in the basic black dial, small seconds variants—well, except for my Bronzo, of course.

I also can’t say I approve of the cost-cutting measures the brand took around mind 2010, especially the switch to solid case backs and the introduction of fake patined lume. It feels like management lost the plot during the heyday, prioritizing quick profits over heritage. That said, I’m revisiting the brand now, but more due to external factors than anything Panerai itself has done.

One of those realities is that I’m no longer as comfortable wearing certain watches across most of Europe. I’ve noticed more than a few instances of undue attention, and while being 6’+ and well-built might have kept things from escalating, I’ve had enough encounters to rethink what I wear and where. There’s also been a notable increase in EU instances posted on here, in the news and elsewhere.

This has led me to divide my collection:

1. A dedicated “summer collection” that stays in Europe for the ~3 months I’m there annually.

2. The rest, which I keep at the bank stateside, having a couple at home in rotation for more controlled environments.

Ironically, even the thieves seem to have lost interest in Panerai, which honestly works in my favor. It’s given me a chance to rekindle my love for the brand, particularly through some of the heritage pieces that are remarkably accessible right now—making for great summer watches that fly under the radar.

I also keep a Speedmaster Broad Arrow 1957 over there, which I picked up from Japan pre-COVID at cents on the dollar. Between that and my Panerai summer set, I’ve got all my bases covered without drawing the wrong kind of attention (for now).

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I used to have a 690. Great watch and enjoyed it for many years

Interesting - the blue dial pops on that one

[NigeG]

Interesting read and Panerai journey, thanks for sharing.

Couple of questions / points

Words to the affect that all of Europe is a hot bed of watch thieves and you choose not to wear a watch that marks you out as a potential target. You must be heading for all the wrong parts if that’s your experiences. Naturally areas of some cities you need to be careful just as you would be in the US.

Clearly you have a lot of experience and knowledge of Panerai. I’ve only ever owned two: a 510 and I currently own a 609. What’s your thoughts on Rad 1940 models specifically 627, 628, 657 & 658? They’re basically the same GMT watches with subtle differences. I’m thinking of getting one.


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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by NigeG

Interesting read and Panerai journey, thanks for sharing.

Couple of questions / points

Words to the affect that all of Europe is a hot bed of watch thieves and you choose not to wear a watch that marks you out as a potential target. You must be heading for all the wrong parts if that’s your experiences. Naturally areas of some cities you need to be careful just as you would be in the US.

I call it like I see it—nothing more, nothing less. Please don’t take my comments as being overly cautious or alarmist. I’ve spent over three decades wearing high-value watches in everyday situations, and until about five years ago, I never gave a second thought to the risks. But unless someone’s been living under a rock, it’s pretty obvious that watch crime has skyrocketed in major cities, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

London is a prime example, but it’s not alone—this is becoming the norm in many big cities. Is this a new phenomenon? Largely, yes. Am I being overly cautious? I don’t think so. I’m simply responding to documented reports, discussions on this forum, and my own firsthand experiences. At the end of the day, I don’t want to be hyper-aware of my watch while wearing it. Wearing a watch should be enjoyable, not a liability. The moment I have to roll my sleeves down or slap on a sweatband to “disguise” my watch, it stops being worth it for me. That’s the point where I’d rather not wear it at all. Instead, I’ve found a happy medium—watches that don’t scream “steal me” yet still hold personal appeal. Enter Panerai, seemingly an average thieves least desirable target :)

Originally Posted by NigeG

Clearly you have a lot of experience and knowledge of Panerai. I’ve only ever owned two: a 510 and I currently own a 609. What’s your thoughts on Rad 1940 models specifically 627, 628, 657 & 658? They’re basically the same GMT watches with subtle differences. I’m thinking of getting one.

On Your Panerai Choice - I’m no Panerai specialist, but I’ve owned more than a few over the years. After going through the cycle of trying out various models—chronographs, regattas, black ceramic, green dials, beige dials, grey dials, blue dials—I realized something:

There’s really only ONE historically relevant Panerai.

And that’s a black sandwich dial, small seconds at 9 o’clock (or no seconds at all), in either a Radiomir or Luminor case. That’s Panerai’s DNA.

The Radiomir 1940 case? I have my doubts. While I won’t deny that some prototypes may have existed, there’s very little solid historical evidence that this hybrid Radiomir case with Luminor-style lugs was ever more than a handful of failed prototypes. Just my take. The real, documented lineage of Panerai sits firmly in two camps:

1. The Radiomir cushion case
2. The Luminor case with crown guard

For me, that’s where true Panerai history lies.

At the end of the day, the most authentic Panerai models are the simplest ones (and conveniently the least expensive)—whether it’s the Luminor Logo or the Radiomir Black Seal, black sandwich dial, clear case back, and white (not faux-patina) lume. Those are the real lineage pieces, and the ones I personally gravitate toward.

Just my two cents. Curious to hear others’ thoughts on this.

[Urosfan]

Congrats


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[KenRose]

I posted just the other day on the 183. I have a 183 H series, bought new in 2004 for $3600 I think? When I started looking to buy my first Rolex searching the web lead me to this forum. I loved that green OP and decided if I could ever get one I'd sell the Panerai and that would be it. When I finally got the Rolex it made me want to keep my 183 even more and find a nice dark brown suede strap for it.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by KenRose

I posted just the other day on the 183. I have a 183 H series, bought new in 2004 for $3600 I think? When I started looking to buy my first Rolex searching the web lead me to this forum. I loved that green OP and decided if I could ever get one I'd sell the Panerai and that would be it. When I finally got the Rolex it made me want to keep my 183 even more and find a nice dark brown suede strap for it.

I’d keep that 183. It’s become a classic

[NigeG]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I call it like I see it—nothing more, nothing less. Please don’t take my comments as being overly cautious or alarmist. I’ve spent over three decades wearing high-value watches in everyday situations, and until about five years ago, I never gave a second thought to the risks. But unless someone’s been living under a rock, it’s pretty obvious that watch crime has skyrocketed in major cities, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

London is a prime example, but it’s not alone—this is becoming the norm in many big cities. Is this a new phenomenon? Largely, yes. Am I being overly cautious? I don’t think so. I’m simply responding to documented reports, discussions on this forum, and my own firsthand experiences. At the end of the day, I don’t want to be hyper-aware of my watch while wearing it. Wearing a watch should be enjoyable, not a liability. The moment I have to roll my sleeves down or slap on a sweatband to “disguise” my watch, it stops being worth it for me. That’s the point where I’d rather not wear it at all. Instead, I’ve found a happy medium—watches that don’t scream “steal me” yet still hold personal appeal. Enter Panerai, seemingly an average thieves least desirable target :)



On Your Panerai Choice - I’m no Panerai specialist, but I’ve owned more than a few over the years. After going through the cycle of trying out various models—chronographs, regattas, black ceramic, green dials, beige dials, grey dials, blue dials—I realized something:

There’s really only ONE historically relevant Panerai.

And that’s a black sandwich dial, small seconds at 9 o’clock (or no seconds at all), in either a Radiomir or Luminor case. That’s Panerai’s DNA.

The Radiomir 1940 case? I have my doubts. While I won’t deny that some prototypes may have existed, there’s very little solid historical evidence that this hybrid Radiomir case with Luminor-style lugs was ever more than a handful of failed prototypes. Just my take. The real, documented lineage of Panerai sits firmly in two camps:

1. The Radiomir cushion case
2. The Luminor case with crown guard

For me, that’s where true Panerai history lies.

At the end of the day, the most authentic Panerai models are the simplest ones (and conveniently the least expensive)—whether it’s the Luminor Logo or the Radiomir Black Seal, black sandwich dial, clear case back, and white (not faux-patina) lume. Those are the real lineage pieces, and the ones I personally gravitate toward.

Just my two cents. Curious to hear others’ thoughts on this.

I’m a Londoner by birth but now live 150 miles north of there. I still frequent the capital on a regular basis. I largely agree that it’s a much worse situation than it used to be. However I regularly see high end watches being worn openly, without the owners trying to keep them hidden, when I’m down there.

Yes there are circumstances where I’d either remove my watch completely and put it in a pocket or at least roll sleeves down and hide it. Just as I would in any big city. Like you I’ve worn high value watches for more than three decades and I also travelled extensively around Europe. That said I’ll still be wearing a nice watch

Appreciate your comments on Panerai. Thanks.


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