First Panerai suggestions please!

[toulouse]

Hi folks! I have the hots for a Panerai and for the last few months it's only gotten stronger. Currently I have a Breitling Avenger and am about to put it up for sale to help put funds towards a new Panerai.

I have two questions from a newbie --

1). I prefer the PAMS with date and sandwich dial, but must be sandwich, otherwise, I'm open to the style. Would like to spend 4.5g to 6g for it. (preowned since I know ADs don't give much if any discounts on PAMs). Styles I like are, but not limited to: 104, 111, 24, 312, 48. Open to mechanical winding. My question is, of these types which is considered the best? I know it's a matter of preference, but I prefer them all. So any opinions would be great. I don't dress up much, no suits or ties. I would wear it pretty frequently, if it won't get scratched up too much. Which leads to question 2.

2). My Avenger has tons of scratches and gouges from me wearing it every day for 1.5 yrs. It's chunky, which I like, but the scratches and dings seem unavoidable for my watch with every day wear. (I even wear it to the gym--which is probably not a good idea and wouldn't wear my PAM there). So for a guy who wants to wear his watch a lot and not worry about babying it, should I go for a titanium PAM? Or brushed steel?

PS _ my wife is buying me a Seiko beater for the gym to protect whatever my new watch is.

Thanks for your help!!

[drtooth73]

I'd go for 111 or 183, sandwich dial, with seconds subdial.
111 is the Luminor case, easy to change the straps
183 is the Radiomir with wider and tapering OEM straps, slightly thinner case.
My personal preference is 183 on a brown gator strap.

Dont worry about scratches.
Unless the watch is full ceramic, you'll notice the scratches whether brushed or not.

[toulouse]

Yeah, a big draw is the easy to change straps. I love that. Out of those two, I prefer the 111 because of the crown protector. Definitely need to have the crown protector. :)

[eric23]

Check out the 112, 114, 176 if you want a clean dial or check out the 111, 177 (They have the second sub dial)

For Rads look at the 210 and the 183.

By the way welcome to TRF!

[toulouse]

Thanks! I like Rolexes too but I like Panerai because most people don't know what it is. (and it's more low key and less glitzy). I'll be researching the ones you mentioned!

[red1108nyc]

I know you have specified a 4-6k budget but may I suggest you save just a tad more and I think btw 8.5 to 9.5k area.. you can find a beautiful 233 and save you the hassel of wanting to upgrade later on! Sandwich dial, date, in house 8 day movement... modern day pam kingpin... looks super sleek to boot!





You will do it... love it and never look back!

Good luck with your search,

Fred

[toulouse]

Ah, you must be the devil on my left shoulder!

[walds11]

Excellent advice From your post,  it almost sounds like you want a 233. It's all I could ever want in a Panerai for reasons Fred mentioned. So,  if you can save up another $2,500,  go for it!  I sure don't regret it. 

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

I know you have specified a 4-6k budget but may I suggest you save just a tad more and I think btw 8.5 to 9.5k area.. you can find a beautiful 233 and save you the hassel of wanting to upgrade later on! Sandwich dial, date, in house 8 day movement... modern day pam kingpin... looks super sleek to boot!





You will do it... love it and never look back!

Good luck with your search,

Fred

[toulouse]

I haven't seen this watch for under 10k. I love it though. Anything comparable for 8k-ish?

[walds11]

You should easily be able to find a nice pre-owned piece for under 10k, as low as mid to upper 8s. 

Originally Posted by toulouse

I haven't seen this watch for under 10k. I love it though. Anything comparable for 8k-ish?

[karmatp]

312 or the amazing 351 if you want to stay in the $6000 range. The 312 you can get for a bit less and the 351 will cost you a few hundred more.

Those models have everything you are looking for, and the 351 has a ti case, tobacco dial and gold hands, it's the best modern day Panerai if you ask me.

[toulouse]

Thanks! I just tried on the 312 at the AD this afternoon. The dealer says she can get me 5% off but it sounded like if I squeezed she could do more. I'll be double checking that when I'm ready to pull the trigger before I decide to get a preowned.
I got my Avenger for only 3 hundred more than what I could find online (new).

[toulouse]

By the way, this forum is awesome and has great and very helpful posters, that's why I came here with my questions. Thanks a lot for the recommendations!

[toulouse]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

I know you have specified a 4-6k budget but may I suggest you save just a tad more and I think btw 8.5 to 9.5k area.. you can find a beautiful 233 and save you the hassel of wanting to upgrade later on! Sandwich dial, date, in house 8 day movement... modern day pam kingpin... looks super sleek to boot!





You will do it... love it and never look back!

Good luck with your search,

Fred

I think I'm under the 233's spell. I'm highly considering this now.

[BKKJake]

359 is an option. it's polished though which you said you didn't want

[Cru Jones]

if the 312 fits your wrist, then, it checks all of your boxes (sandwich, brushed SS, date). as mentioned above, the 351 is a great choice, too. the 233 is a gorgeous piece, but, it's in a different price range and you have to like the "fangs" at the bottom of the dial.

FYI - you listed the 104, 48 and 24 as PAMs you like, and, they are very nice, but, they don't have the sandwich dial (and the 48 is basically the 104 but at 40mm). if, though, you find yourself coming back to the 104, you could also consider the 164, which is basically the same watch, but, with a brushed SS case (instead of polished), arabic dial and quick-change strap system (like on the 312).

good luck with the hunt!

[bcacncnc]

The 233 is like the burger with the lot. I think you won't regret it, and whilst its a little over budget, the 233 have come down in price recently. I suspect if you buy a second hand one - you won't loose much in case you need to sell it in a year or so. Do check out the "for sale" section on TRF where there are some trusted resellers you can consider. You will surely get a greater discount from them.

[joleel7]

A preloved 233 worth consideration for sure.

[Carlos98326194]

Love the 233 as well. Just can't believe that you have to wind it like 1,000,000X times every 7days

on a serious note, love the feel of it sitting on my wrist.

[dalip]

If you can kick off with a 233 then I'd go that route -

[Ugog]

If you have the funds for a 233 I would instead go for a 312 + 000 - 2 watches instead of one!

[B. Doggy]

I always say the 312 is a great way to jump into the PAM world.

[Billythekid]

also look for 005 the best entry level pam

[kilyung]

I'd jump into the Luminor range with 111/000/005/112/312 depending on wants. However these will only fuel your Panerai addiction. A 233 would satisfy you for a long while.

[toulouse]

Ok folks -- I just sold my Breitling and now I'm in full on hunt mode. I've ruled out the 233 because I just don't want to spend that much money right now (maybe later).

Here's what I'm juggling: Pams 111, 164, 312, 359 (and one I keep going back to) the 88). Right now I think 164 is leading, but I am starting to really like the 88 (especially when I see pics of it on someone's wrist)

It's for sure going to be one of these, it's just a matter of which one and for what price. Anyone have any thoughts on which of those stands out as more outstanding the others? And should I do an AD or preowned? I took a big hit on my Breitling since I bought it from an AD. I never thought I'd sell it, but I discovered Panerai after that. IF I ever wanted to sell or trade-up am I better off with a 2nd hand Panerai since they hold their value pretty well at that point?

[bcacncnc]

Like most ppl who get into Panerais, they eventually have an inkling to get a second or third to their collection.

I would start out with a "base", and then move from there. I started with the base 000 and then added a 233. I am fairly confident that if you buy one of the high demand models, you won't loose much when you flip it in a year of two. Ie. I don't think the big hit you took on the Breitling is necessarily going to be the case for your Panerai.

If it was me - I'd go with the 111.

[Nicekettle]

I've worn a very inexpensive (Boccia) Titanium watch daily for the past 10 years or so and it has held up fantastic.i've replaced the glass due to chips and scratches,but the Ti brushed finish has matured gracefully.Thats partly why I chose a 338 as my first Pam.I don't intend to treat it anything like my old daily beater,but I like the way the Ti ages.