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jdparkes · 24 July 2010, 07:16 PM

I really want to get a GMT watch and so when I was in London Monday I went into Selfridge's and was looking at the Rolex GMTc which my heart has been set on for awhile, but then the salesmen showed me a PAM 321 they had in stock and I was really impressed. Now I feel like my world was flipped over... I was so sure on the Rolex GMT previously, however now I am really torn between the two... Thoughts?

nauticajoe · 24 July 2010, 07:41 PM

Tough one! They are both great watches. Totally different in every way. The GMT function on the PAM is more subtle. Obviously, the big difference is in size.

Go with the one that makes you smile.

Good Luck!

padi56 · 24 July 2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdparkes

I really want to get a GMT watch and so when I was in London Monday I went into Selfridge's and was looking at the Rolex GMTc which my heart has been set on for awhile, but then the salesmen showed me a PAM 321 they had in stock and I was really impressed. Now I feel like my world was flipped over... I was so sure on the Rolex GMT previously, however now I am really torn between the two... Thoughts?

You ask in the Rolex forum majority will say Rolex,ask in the Panerai forum most will say Panerai,you are buying the watch it is your decision only.

TheDude · 24 July 2010, 10:32 PM

IMO, the Rolex is -the- GMT. Pan Am and Rolex defined the entire segment and use-case when the first GMTs were produced.

If you're going to go Panerai, the 321 is a fine choice is it is a step up from many Panerai with its in-house movement and 1950 case.

There's a new 2010 Special edition (only 500 units and only for this year) that harkens back to an old A, B series that is quite rare. The Special Edition is something of a re-issue. The model is the PAM 29. While the original PAM 29 didn't always have the tuxedo dial, that is what this model was known for and the Special Edition is only tuxedo dial (the stripes).

This is the original from the 1990s...

This is the re-issue announced at Basel 2010...

psv · 24 July 2010, 11:02 PM

PAM's in-house movement is not where it should be at this price range. The 312 got a 78 pts in WatchTime's test, the GMTIIC scored the 2nd highest ever at 93, if I remember correctly.

On top of that, the PAM 321 is what, 17.5mm thick, way too much IMO.

springer · 25 July 2010, 12:46 AM

You can't go wrong with the Rolex GMT or GMT II. Personally I think the Rollies have better value.

mike · 25 July 2010, 02:48 AM

It's always a question of emotion vs. practically. I'm a Panerai fan and the 321 is a great reference. It has all the things that is Panerai--sandwich case, 1950s case, outstanding lume. Some feel a PR indicator makes the dial a bit busy, but I kinda like it.

Some will debate the merit of in-house movement as opposed to out sourced--that's a discussion for another thread.

What is a discussion for this thread IMO is the comparison of GMT functions of the two references, and here's where the rubber meets the road.

As a pure GMT I've found nothing that compares to the GMT II (IIc). A true 24 hour GMT with the ability to monitor a third timezone places it head and shoulders about the 321 with it's 12 hour fourth hand.

Indeed one would have to look at world time offerings from others makers to have something as viable (and when ruggedness is added to the mix I'm not sure there's much out there that compares to the Rolex.

Panerai does make some nice GMTs (I have a couple) and Dude's notice about the 29 is spot on.

(Think in terms of an EXP II).

I really like the 321, but as an only GMT the Rolex offers the total package.

Again emotion vs. practically-----emotion usually wins.

slcbbrown · 25 July 2010, 10:02 AM

This is no knock on the Panerai, but if you want a watch with an amazing, 50 year history and a movement that can't be beat, for the price, the choice is clearly Rolex. In 20 to 50 years, there is a good chance that Rolex will still be making a GMT just like this one and selling all they can make.

10 years ago, no one but Italian frogmen knew what Panerai was. 10 years from now, who knows?

sturgeon123456 · 25 July 2010, 10:08 AM

I have a 312 and a gmt 2c. I know the Pam 312 is not a gmt but if I had to choose to keep only one.....it would definitely be the gmt2. I must say I LOVE my Pam but In my opinion the rolex gmt 2c is an amazing watch.

EZZELDIN · 25 July 2010, 07:22 PM

rolex

alphamale2012 · 26 July 2010, 12:47 AM

You gone end up getting both sooner or later imo.

stusrt · 26 July 2010, 01:21 AM

both

MY-WATCH · 26 July 2010, 03:43 AM

Pams are great but they are not Rolex

24 July 2010, 07:16 PM	#1
jdparkes "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 20	Which GMT... Rolex GMT or PAM 321/321 I really want to get a GMT watch and so when I was in London Monday I went into Selfridge's and was looking at the Rolex GMTc which my heart has been set on for awhile, but then the salesmen showed me a PAM 321 they had in stock and I was really impressed. Now I feel like my world was flipped over... I was so sure on the Rolex GMT previously, however now I am really torn between the two... Thoughts?

25 July 2010, 02:48 AM	#7
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	It's always a question of emotion vs. practically. I'm a Panerai fan and the 321 is a great reference. It has all the things that is Panerai--sandwich case, 1950s case, outstanding lume. Some feel a PR indicator makes the dial a bit busy, but I kinda like it. Some will debate the merit of in-house movement as opposed to out sourced--that's a discussion for another thread. What is a discussion for this thread IMO is the comparison of GMT functions of the two references, and here's where the rubber meets the road. As a pure GMT I've found nothing that compares to the GMT II (IIc). A true 24 hour GMT with the ability to monitor a third timezone places it head and shoulders about the 321 with it's 12 hour fourth hand. Indeed one would have to look at world time offerings from others makers to have something as viable (and when ruggedness is added to the mix I'm not sure there's much out there that compares to the Rolex. Panerai does make some nice GMTs (I have a couple) and Dude's notice about the 29 is spot on. (Think in terms of an EXP II). I really like the 321, but as an only GMT the Rolex offers the total package. Again emotion vs. practically-----emotion usually wins. Last edited by mike; 25 July 2010 at 11:31 AM..

24 July 2010, 07:41 PM	#2
nauticajoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: PA Posts: 14,774	Tough one! They are both great watches. Totally different in every way. The GMT function on the PAM is more subtle. Obviously, the big difference is in size. Go with the one that makes you smile. Good Luck!

24 July 2010, 10:32 PM	#4
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	IMO, the Rolex is -the- GMT. Pan Am and Rolex defined the entire segment and use-case when the first GMTs were produced. If you're going to go Panerai, the 321 is a fine choice is it is a step up from many Panerai with its in-house movement and 1950 case. There's a new 2010 Special edition (only 500 units and only for this year) that harkens back to an old A, B series that is quite rare. The Special Edition is something of a re-issue. The model is the PAM 29. While the original PAM 29 didn't always have the tuxedo dial, that is what this model was known for and the Special Edition is only tuxedo dial (the stripes). This is the original from the 1990s... This is the re-issue announced at Basel 2010...

24 July 2010, 11:02 PM	#5
psv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA & France Posts: 11,078	PAM's in-house movement is not where it should be at this price range. The 312 got a 78 pts in WatchTime's test, the GMTIIC scored the 2nd highest ever at 93, if I remember correctly. On top of that, the PAM 321 is what, 17.5mm thick, way too much IMO.

25 July 2010, 10:02 AM	#8
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	This is no knock on the Panerai, but if you want a watch with an amazing, 50 year history and a movement that can't be beat, for the price, the choice is clearly Rolex. In 20 to 50 years, there is a good chance that Rolex will still be making a GMT just like this one and selling all they can make. 10 years ago, no one but Italian frogmen knew what Panerai was. 10 years from now, who knows?

25 July 2010, 10:08 AM	#9
sturgeon123456 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 2,551	I have a 312 and a gmt 2c. I know the Pam 312 is not a gmt but if I had to choose to keep only one.....it would definitely be the gmt2. I must say I LOVE my Pam but In my opinion the rolex gmt 2c is an amazing watch.

25 July 2010, 07:22 PM	#10
EZZELDIN Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: EZZELDIN Location: EGYPT Watch: 116718 GMT MASTER Posts: 89	rolex

26 July 2010, 12:47 AM	#11
alphamale2012 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Sam Location: UK Posts: 1,305	You gone end up getting both sooner or later imo.

26 July 2010, 01:21 AM	#12
stusrt "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Motor City Watch: too many Posts: 1,114	both

26 July 2010, 03:43 AM	#13
MY-WATCH "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Sala hu din Location: N/A Posts: 1,781	Pams are great but they are not Rolex

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