390 to buy or not to buy

[gpretto73]

Hey guys, I am a proud owner of a 005. I am thinking about getting a second Pam. I just found a 390 in an AD. The price is right. What do you think about it? Is this watch really increasing in value? Thanks for your thoughts.

[kilyung]

Don't buy because of "value" or investment. Buy if you like it.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Don't buy because of "value" or investment. Buy if you like it.

+1

It's a nice watch, but don't get caught up in any financial aspects beyond the price you pay

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Don't buy because of "value" or investment. Buy if you like it.

Originally Posted by Psmith

+1

It's a nice watch, but don't get caught up in any financial aspects beyond the price you pay

AGREED!!!

390 is a beauty, I haven't given mine the love it deserve however, but I don't blame the piece...

What's 'at the right price', retail?

[p_mcgee]

Had one, didn't sing to me, flipped it. I loved the gold hands but not the yellow markers & numbers so much & it was tough to match with straps.

[Psmith]

Greg - just a suggestion...

Perhaps consider a 112 instead

A Base model, like the 390, but with the sandwich dial and display back

Less $$$ than the 390, more points of difference when comparing with your 005, and arguably a nicer movement (well at least you can look at it!)

[mfer]

I feel it will hold its value. Not likely to skyrocket.

[DiverAsia]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Greg - just a suggestion...

Perhaps consider a 112 instead

A Base model, like the 390, but with the sandwich dial and display back

Less $$$ than the 390, more points of difference when comparing with your 005, and arguably a nicer movement (well at least you can look at it!)

Originally Posted by mfer

I feel it will hold its value. Not likely to skyrocket.

Yes, that is what I would have said too. Also, everyone who has had a 390 and flipped it, always says they had problems getting straps to match it.
Having said that, I think the 390 is a great looking watch.

[Palmasea]

I absolutely love my Pam 390 - but I'm biased because I love brown dials and gold hands on base Panerai's. I also like the 'vintage' painted markers as well.

If you are paying list price or close, you are at the starting $$ for 44mm Pam's...so I would think in the long run you will have a lower chance of losing $$ on this model than just about any other...just my 2 cents on that thought.

However, I would also add, that at this point with the increase in list prices we have seen on watches(swiss franc conversion etc) this past few years, it will be very difficult to match the previous appreciation of some limited Pams.

I, for one, would be happy to be able to wear a new watch and have a minimal loss going forward!



btw, mfer, awesome pictures

[gpretto73]

Thanks all for your thoughts. The price is listed retail. I really loved the watch. Specially the dial with gold hands. I've also seen members saying it is hard to find straps that will match. And I love changing straps. A 112 is also a great Pam, but I was also thinking on the exclusivity of the model.

[jay_kay]

I for one am a big fan of painted brown dials and gold hands. The 390 was a no brainer for me, I have a Kostas strap that compliments it beautifully, very similar to the OEM assolutamente but chunkier! The Rrp is very similar to a 112 so the plus factors are exclusivity and the fact you get a huge SE box with it.



It also looks good on an original Dirk!

[iDuc]

I had the 390, but flipped for 372 which I liked more, but is also more expensive. If you can buy 390 at retail, do it! They go for a nice premium over retail even used...

It is beautiful, unfortunately I couldn't justify both so went with 372.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by gpretto73

Thanks all for your thoughts. The price is listed retail. I really loved the watch. Specially the dial with gold hands. I've also seen members saying it is hard to find straps that will match. And I love changing straps. A 112 is also a great Pam, but I was also thinking on the exclusivity of the model.

I wouldn't be too concerned about this. PAM LE/SE's are produced in the hundreds and (more often) thousands, so not exactly 'limited'. You are probably no more likely to bump into someone wearing another 005 in the wild than you are a 390, imho

[topgear]

Buy

I got mine at retail and I love it.

[paltak]

Yep, Dirk works great on my 390, especially with a Pre-V buckle buckle.

[bonovox]

If you have an 005, you'll really appreciate the unique qualities of the 390. It's a first of its kind on many levels and you'll enjoy the differences in the watches. You can't go wrong at retail. Snag it and enjoy!

[Survivor]

The watch is not increasing in value.........buy it because you like it!!!

[TAKUYA]

since my wrist is not big enough to handle 372, so 390 is in my list. but i'll def go try 372 and see first. 390 is beautiful watch.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by gpretto73

...just found a 390 in an AD. The price is right. What do you think about it?

The 390 is certainly a nice PAM, but seeing as you have the 005, a luminor / Bettarini case, with a 6497, why not consider something a little more different for your second PAM?

If it's the gold hands and "dirty" dial that you like, why not consider the 372? You'll be adding a 47mm, new case design, not to mention in-house movement. If on the other hand you like the brown dial & gold combo, how about a 1950 case, P.9000 351?

Again, the 390 is a beautiful PAM and if that's what you want, by all means go for it I just wanted to give you something to think about...

[drgleeds37]

Get it, you won't regret it!

[ec10020]

absolutely get the PAM390 at retail. I have two, one for wear and one for collecting, which I puchased at 6700 and 6000 USD respectively (so its actually declined in value because my second one i puchased at 10% less than my first)

I think its the best PAM in the whole range of Panerai for a couple of reasons

1. the brown dial - the brown dial looks good up close when you are glancing at your wrist checking the time, but the reason the brown dial really shines is it looks good in 3rd person i.e. it looks good to other people when they are looking at you. Brown just "pops" more than a black dial. The brown dial goes perfectly with the rugged country look, e.g. tweed jackets, barbour jackets, loro piana or brunello cucinelli luxury country estate look.

2. gold hands - again it looks good. stand about 10 feet from the mirror, this is what other people see when they look at you from a normal range, and the gold hands brown dial combo just looks more stylish than the gold hands on black as in the PAM372

strap matching - PAM 390 goes with everything except solid black which is boring anyway.

44mm case the modern 44mm panerai case is the most versatile and its construction looks solid like it is hewn from a solid chunk of steel. I really dislike the layered wedding cake look of the 1950s case, especially on the PAM372. Sure it looks great head on when looking at the face, but from the side view it looks like a tiered wedding cake/ziggurat, not a solid piece of equipment like the modern 44mm panerai case.

[gpretto73]

Guys, thanks all for you comments. I've pulled the trigger on the 390. Will arrive in a couple of days. For sure pics will come...

[iDuc]

Originally Posted by gpretto73

Guys, thanks all for you comments. I've pulled the trigger on the 390. Will arrive in a couple of days. For sure pics will come...

Great, congrats...

[red1108nyc]

Originally Posted by gpretto73

Guys, thanks all for you comments. I've pulled the trigger on the 390. Will arrive in a couple of days. For sure pics will come...

Great call and congrats!

Little something to hold you over!

[Vibul]

I'm fall in love with my PAM390......

[iLLGT2]

Congrats :) can't wait to see you enjoying it

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by gpretto73

Hey guys, I am a proud owner of a 005. I am thinking about getting a second Pam. I just found a 390 in an AD. The price is right. What do you think about it? Is this watch really increasing in value? Thanks for your thoughts.

Strange that one official dealer still has a 390 not? In what city did you find it?

[Psmith]

[QUOTE=jay_kay;3689232]I for one am a big fan of painted brown dials and gold hands. The 390 was a no brainer for me, I have a Kostas strap that compliments it beautifully, very similar to the OEM assolutamente but chunkier! The Rrp is very similar to a 112 so the plus factors are exclusivity and the fact you get a huge SE box with it.




That looks good enough to eat - a great combo

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by ec10020

absolutely get the PAM390 at retail. I have two, one for wear and one for collecting, which I puchased at 6700 and 6000 USD respectively (so its actually declined in value because my second one i puchased at 10% less than my first)

I think its the best PAM in the whole range of Panerai for a couple of reasons

1. the brown dial - the brown dial looks good up close when you are glancing at your wrist checking the time, but the reason the brown dial really shines is it looks good in 3rd person i.e. it looks good to other people when they are looking at you. Brown just "pops" more than a black dial. The brown dial goes perfectly with the rugged country look, e.g. tweed jackets, barbour jackets, loro piana or brunello cucinelli luxury country estate look.

2. gold hands - again it looks good. stand about 10 feet from the mirror, this is what other people see when they look at you from a normal range, and the gold hands brown dial combo just looks more stylish than the gold hands on black as in the PAM372

strap matching - PAM 390 goes with everything except solid black which is boring anyway.

44mm case the modern 44mm panerai case is the most versatile and its construction looks solid like it is hewn from a solid chunk of steel. I really dislike the layered wedding cake look of the 1950s case, especially on the PAM372. Sure it looks great head on when looking at the face, but from the side view it looks like a tiered wedding cake/ziggurat, not a solid piece of equipment like the modern 44mm panerai case.

Interesting perspective

I know what you mean about 'tiered profiles'. I like raised/domed crystals, but not an overtly top-heavy look

[gpretto73]

Aventura, I found it at the Panerai Boutique Sao Paulo. The last one. Will receive it this week.