Help me decide my first Panerai

[style88]

Guys...

i need some help here. I would like to purchase my first panerai, but I am at a lost with all the different 3 digit numbers. How do you guys remember the numbers and its respective designs? is there some sort of classification that helps to make it easier to remember all the numbers and its design?

Ok..coming back to the first PAM, I would like an automatic, an exhibition caseback, around 42mm or 44mm. Preferably SS cause I like the shine. Any to recommend?

Thanks!

[Cru Jones]

With your criteria, at 42 mm, check out the 392, and at 44 mm, the 312, 320 or 359.

The OP website is actually pretty useful for beginners to search and sort based on various criteria. You remember the numbers only if you have a PAM "problem".

Good luck with the search, take your time and enjoy the hunt!

[Urosfan]

104, or a 312

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

With your criteria, at 42 mm, check out the 392, and at 44 mm, the 312, 320 or 359.

The OP website is actually pretty useful for beginners to search and sort based on various criteria. You remember the numbers only if you have a PAM "problem".

Good luck with the search, take your time and enjoy the hunt!

Problem? nah it just saves time.

To the OP, the website is quite helpful allowing you to filter the features you want.

[yOyOYoo]

As a Panerai newbie, I agree that all the 3 digit numbers can be quite confusing.

The Panerai website is pretty helpful when it comes to categorizing the various designs and also it does a good job showing the top and back view of the watches.

My main complaint about the Panerai website is that it does not display the side views of the various watches. Some of the Panerai models are very tall and thick and ride high up on the wrist; I wish the website would allow us to see this.

Good luck on your search and keep us updated!

[style88]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

With your criteria, at 42 mm, check out the 392, and at 44 mm, the 312, 320 or 359.

The OP website is actually pretty useful for beginners to search and sort based on various criteria. You remember the numbers only if you have a PAM "problem".

Good luck with the search, take your time and enjoy the hunt!

Hi, thanks for the suggestion.

After looking through the pictures, I think I will need to go with a 42mm.

Besides the 392, is there any other model that is automatic, exhibition caseback and SS?

Thanks

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by style88

Hi, thanks for the suggestion.

After looking through the pictures, I think I will need to go with a 42mm.

Besides the 392, is there any other model that is automatic, exhibition caseback and SS?

Thanks

You're lucky (in terms of narrowing down the choices), because only one other model fits the bill of auto, 42mm, exhibition back and SS: the 523.

But, nothing replaces going to try them on.

[Psmith]

I would stick to 44mm
Don't make a decision based on pictures - try on the models you are interested in

Before you know it you'll be looking at 47mm

[Cru Jones]

Looks like your choices have doubled to four models with the new 535 and 537: http://www.network54.com/Forum/35339...m.+Enjoy.......

[Nitedeuce]

Very nice Hobnail GMTs. I always liked the PAM 241, but was not sure about a 40mm model. Thanks for the link!

[RUpanerai]

No rhyme or reason to the Panerai numbers.

The ones I would focus on are the manual wind models such as the 000, 005, 111, and or 112.

[tomcorkery]

do not buy a 42 mm pam. go 112 the or 390. the 390 is se and can be had for under 6k now

[style88]

Originally Posted by tomcorkery

do not buy a 42 mm pam. go 112 the or 390. the 390 is se and can be had for under 6k now

Hi Tom, I believe the 390 can only be had through pre-owns now?

I guess I would go to the shop and try the 44mm, but I have a 6.5" wrist, not sure if I can carry it off.

Thanks

[style88]

Ok guys, I tried a 44mm Pam at the shop today and I think I can carry it off.

So please help me to suggest models that have the followings:
1) Stainless steel
2) Automatic
3) Exhibition caseback
4) 44mm

Any help will be appreciated!

[Psmith]

Try the 312
This has the '1950' case, which is quite tall, although essentially it's a 44mm 392

The 'Bettarini' type of case sits a little lower, so perhaps try both and see which appeals most. The automatics include the 104 and 164, although these do not have a display back.

The 312 uses an in-house movement, in case this is a factor for you

[style88]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Try the 312
This has the '1950' case, which is quite tall, although essentially it's a 44mm 392

The 'Bettarini' type of case sits a little lower, so perhaps try both and see which appeals most. The automatics include the 104 and 164, although these do not have a display back.

The 312 uses an in-house movement, in case this is a factor for you

Hi, thanks for the reply!

I tried the 312, it sits pretty high....quite thick. But like the design.

Is there anything that has the dial design of the 312, but sits lower? Let's say that the sapphire caseback requirement can be ignored if that helps to choose something thinner than the 312.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by style88

I tried the 312, it sits pretty high ... Is there anything that has the dial design of the 312, but sits lower?

Well, this isn't going to help your decision-making today, but it might just be that P.4000-equipped PAMs will be thinner...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=p.4000

Frankly-speaking, I associate Panerai with hand-wound movements, particularly the 8 days PR movements. The new P.5000 could easily be more attractive in terms of PR than an automatic, unless you're a one-watch person, or you own autowinder(s).

Check out the 510 before making any final decisions on an automatic...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ght=510+p.5000

[Travelller]

Clive has a good point, what about the 104? Its dial is similar to the 312 but it is a luminor "Bettarini" (not 1950) case and has a ETA 7750 movement. This one's certainly going to be sitting lower on the wrist, even if the difference is mostly optical.

The downside (imho) is the cyclops & the missing 9 (but then you get a bigger secs subdial).

[subtona]

Base is nice

[DreambreaX]

233

[style88]

Thanks for all the comments so far guys. I really appreciate it.

I have been discussing this with my wife, cos she wants to share the watch. Somehow she also like the 44mm despite her smaller wrist. *lucky*. I would be in trouble if she wants a 42mm.

I showed her the 510, she doesn't like the full polished stainless steel look. Somehow she just like the 312 with the brushed steel case and polished SS on the bezel. But I thought the thickness of that watch looks really weird on her. Maybe it is becos I prefer a thinner watch..... :P

233 with its dome crystal looks great, but she didn't want a busy dial. For 104, she doesn't want the cyclop.

Well, guess it will be 312 then. I just bought a rolex 216570 a week ago, and if I don't give in to her on this one, I bet she will snatch my new explorer 2.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by style88

Thanks for all the comments so far guys. I really appreciate it.

I have been discussing this with my wife, cos she wants to share the watch. Somehow she also like the 44mm despite her smaller wrist. *lucky*. I would be in trouble if she wants a 42mm.

I showed her the 510, she doesn't like the full polished stainless steel look. Somehow she just like the 312 with the brushed steel case and polished SS on the bezel. But I thought the thickness of that watch looks really weird on her. Maybe it is becos I prefer a thinner watch..... :P

233 with its dome crystal looks great, but she didn't want a busy dial. For 104, she doesn't want the cyclop.

Well, guess it will be 312 then. I just bought a rolex 216570 a week ago, and if I don't give in to her on this one, I bet she will snatch my new explorer 2.

The 312 is a very nice watch. Also consider the 320 which is similar but with a discreet GMT function. It's more expensive than the 312 but you also get a power reserve indicator on the back of the movement and the cool 'zero reset' stop seconds (the second hand resets to zero/12 when the crown is pulled out to set the time)

Good luck