What Is This Panerai Thing and the 141.

[rulessapt]

This Panerai thing.
My first was a 177, great watch, liked the Ti, though felt bulky. That sandwich dial is stunning.
The 177 goes to a friend in Queensland who has to have it. Nothing happier for me than selling to a friend who lets me know how much he loves the 177every now and again.


Wanted something smaller, preferably a different movement in the league of the early watches.
Giulio Bonnaccio in NYC told me of the Radiomir 141, but where do you find one? Giulio assured me that 500 were made and if I were lucky, there'd be one out there. Missed one on another forum.
Time passes...

Then it was Radiomir time, the 287 automatic. Fitted beautifully with the cushion case, remarkable comfort for such a large piece. Accurate timekeeper and took to various straps willingly.

Looking here on TRF at straps, the Radiomir 210 takes my eye, more especially mfer (Mik) and his 210 combination with the gold hands and the simply outstanding ABP strap. Wow.
I bought a 210 here from the Sales Forum, it's been great.
An outstanding time keeper, bought a couple more straps.

Looking here on TRF at straps, the Radiomir 210 takes my eye, more especially mfer (Mik) and his 210 combination with the gold hands and the simply outstanding ABP strap. Wow. I keep looking at the 210, spellbound!

That's it, I bought a 210 here from the Sales Forum, it's been great.
An outstanding time keeper, bought a couple more straps.
Bought and had fitted the gold hand set, lovely. Could this be it?
I see a Radiomir 231 in Sydney, nearly, very nearly pulled the trigger.

Still no 141, the yearning continued.
287 and 210 become good buddies for a while, swapping wrist time.

A 141 for sale, finally. The Grail, I think.
Jump all over it when the price is right. No box or papers, but you can't wear a box, right?
Gorgeous piece, beautiful movement by Zenith. Great timekeeper.
Super slim, 42mm. The buy is made, I'm in love.
This is it for sure.

The 287 finds its way for sale. Snapped up within a couple of days here in Australia to a first time Panerai owner. It felt wonderful to be part of that experience.

I can live with the 210 and the 141, a handsome couple and each have their own undeniable influence. The happy rotation continues.

Then, another 141 comes up for sale. Boxes and papers, ooh la la. This is tough. I dissolve and give in to the urge, yes, I bought it. I can't justify buying it, but feel better for the purchase.

Well, the "old" 141 is sold, the new owner in California is thrilled, I spoke with him today on the phone. He really loved the Dirk strap it was teamed with, I had liked it too. It's his first Panerai, I'm proud to be part of this.

The 210 will be in the hands of another first time PAM owner tomorrow in Sydney.
I'm certain he will love the 210, with the gold hands and the extra straps. I'm enjoying being the conduit for all these first time Panerai owners.

Today, my "new" 141 arrives. It's a great looking watch, I quickly swap my ABP Ostrich strap onto the wire lugs. It's like the old one never left.
Fitted new genuine wire lug mounting screws and o-rings.
The fitted strap was awful, an aftermarket hornback alligator, but poorly made, I put it in the rubbish bin.
The original strap is worn out, completely, gone hard with sweat and cracked all the inner lining. I'll hang onto it for posterity only.
The 141 is "it" for me, finally.

So, what is this Panerai Thing?
For me, it's being a proud part of this community, especially here on TRF, in the Panerai Forum, made some good mates and a wealth of prime experiences.
The joy, yes joy, of passing on my Panerais to first time owners and feeling their excitement.

Thanks to everyone who has given me the pleasure of their friendship and the common bond of ownership, the trust between buyers and sellers here.
For me, that's the Panerai Thing, it's a community within a community. Yeah, I've got the warm fuzzy feeling, right now.

I cherish the 141.
I miss the 177, the 287, the 1st 141 and now the 210. The reward is the bond I've made with their new owners.

Okay friends, it's strap time, let's play!

Thanks for reading this far, no pictures for which I apologise, hope the words work for you.

Cheers
Richard

[DiverAsia]

Nice post, but look forward to some pics too.
Cheers!

[Cru Jones]

great stuff! nice panerai passion.

pix please??

[rulessapt]

The "new" 141.
Same as the "old" 141.
both make me...



The reverse side is the most beautifully decorated PAM I've owned.
The work is on every level. The Zenith 680 Elite movement is up there with the best.



I'm not much of a photographer.


Cheers
Richard

[mfer]

Looks soooo good Richard! One of the best looking non-vintage Rads out there. I will say I have wanted the 141 on more than one occasion. Can't believe you sold the 210! One of the best!!! ;-)

[rulessapt]

Mik,
Thanks for the compliments on the new 141.
I can hardly believe the selling of the 210 myself. The 141 is my "numero uno".
The 210 is the best modern Radiomir model I've had.

The GREAT part of selling the 210 though happened today when the new owner received the watch and was glowing in its praises. Especially about the gold hands ( so take the kudos there my friend) and the Mario Paci strap I included as an extra.

The pleasure in the new owners voice effectively dissolved the misgivings I had about selling the watch. It's in great hands I'm certain.

Mik, thanks again for your frequent postings of the 210 and the interest it gave me in the model of the simplest Radiomir. I learnt to live with no second hand.

If I ever come across one of those ABP straps like yours I'll but it, THEN buy another 210 to go with it.

cheers
richard