PAM 111 vs 510. Almost there with my first Panerai.

[nice2cu2]

Guys,

After a long search it came down to two models 111 and 510.

Both are from 2014 box and papers and almost the same price ( 510 is 100 EUR more ).

I heard a lot of bad things regarding P5000 movement. That is running to fast first days, bad accuracy etc etc...

Which one would you chose and why ?

47mm is too big for me so no 422 unfortunately.

Thank you in advance. I am planning to pull the trigger over the weekend.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Do what I did and buy them both. The accuracy on my two P.5000 movements (one 2014 and one 2015) is good, not substantially different than my 111. Because there is no seconds track I just set them to the closest minute so I’m not paying that much attention. Just buy one and wear it, they’re both fine watches.

[Zyfon]

I'm a fan of an 8 days movement myself, so I'll vote for the 510.

The convenience is worth the extra 100 EUR IMO

[nice2cu2]

Originally Posted by Zyfon

I'm a fan of an 8 days movement myself, so I'll vote for the 510.

The convenience is worth the extra 100 EUR IMO

I love the look of the case back on 111 and think it is much better looking than 510 however I can understand that winding your watch once a week is more convenient than every other day.

[nice2cu2]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Do what I did and buy them both. The accuracy on my two P.5000 movements (one 2014 and one 2015) is good, not substantially different than my 111. Because there is no seconds track I just set them to the closest minute so I’m not paying that much attention. Just buy one and wear it, they’re both fine watches.

I agree. Both amazing watches.

[htc8p]

I have the 510 and previously 112. I prefer the old movement. Performs nicely and I have good interaction with it.


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[inadeje]

I prefer the 111 in this comparison.

[nice2cu2]

Originally Posted by htc8p

I have the 510 and previously 112. I prefer the old movement. Performs nicely and I have good interaction with it.


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So what you are saying is that 112 was better than 510, correct ?

[nice2cu2]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I prefer the 111 in this comparison.

Any particular reason why ?

[kapella]

Another thing to consider - 510 is quite a bit thinner...

[emtee]

Aside from the convenience of the 8 day movement, aesthetically I prefer everything about the 111. Not to say the 510 isn’t a very nice watch, in fact most people would struggle to tell them apart, but there’s just something a little more charming about those older models.

I had a 564 and then got a 112. I sold the 564 a few months later.

[H_UK]

I'd go for a 111 but I'm biased. It was the first proper watch I bought when I got into this hobby! Just taken mine out of the safe for the first time in years and Even at 44mm it feels great!

[rootbeer7]

Early 112 owner here and I would take a classic any day.

[htc8p]

Originally Posted by nice2cu2

So what you are saying is that 112 was better than 510, correct ?

the og pam base models were close to perfect. though they were eta based movements they work perfectly and were well built.

the 8 day movements are also good they have smooth winding and great power reserve. they also performed fine.

both still had the 300m water resistance, not skimped on.

i think the old base models have more character

[Cru Jones]

Both nice watches of course. For me, I would go 111. No “8 DAYS” on the dial and the 510’s long power reserve without a PR indicator is less interesting to me. YMMV. Good luck with the choice!

[stockae92]

I have (had) both 510 and 111, and my only PAM (for now) is the 510.

I like having an in-house movement. Some people prefer ETA base movement for ease of service. But I like more exclusive movement.

8-day PR is great. I enjoy winding the watch, but also not enjoy winding the watch (when I am in a hurry in the morning, trying to get the kids to school, start my work days, then meetings begins .. ).

The new case, dial and crystal on the 510 made the watch feels more high end. They do have different case, dial and crystal between the two. 510 has a slimmer case, fat numbers and less dome crystal.

510 checked all the right boxes for me, hand wind, 44mm Luminor, small second, displayback. In-house movement is icing on the cake. Mine has sandwich dial as well.

[lig]

I’m biased as a 111 owner but would still go with the 111.
Cleaner dial without the 8 Days and eta or not - much more attractive finishing on the movement to my eyes.

The added practicality of the movement is a bonus too.

[WalterE]

I have a PAM 560 (the no seconds twin of the 510) bought in 2014. I LOVE IT!!! And still do despite some teething problems. My unit suffered from the rebanking issue (too fast when fully wound). It was serviced by Panerai under warranty, which solved the issue. It was later on further regulated by the watchmaker at the Official Dealership, since he thought it could do even better. It is one of the most accurate watches I now own. The 8 days reserve basically makes the wearing experience comparable to an automatic. The lack of power reserve is not an issue: I wind it every Saturday, as part of my weekend routine. The watch is always ready and spot on whenever I reach out to it.

I personally appreciate the more modern design of the case/crystal compared to the 111/112. A lot more versatile, including suit and tie. Had a chance to choose between them at the time and, after a LOT of thinking, went with the modern reference. No regrets!

[Jim P]

I have 111. I think it is the perfect first Panerai

[Kevin of Larchmont]

So OP, what did you get?

[drlvegas]

111

[playadeee]

Originally Posted by Jim P

I have 111. I think it is the perfect first Panerai

100% agree. I was looking at the 510 too when I found a 111 I couldn’t pass up. The sandwich dial, transparent case back, and the fact that the 111 just feels so classic is what made it the winner.

[dieselophile]

Pam 111 gets my vote. When searching for my Pam - the ETA movement, the clean sandwich dial all felt authentic Panerai. The P5000 just didn't looks as inspiring, and the "8 days" is just an extra item on the dial that id rather not have.
Having an 8 days power reserve is cool tho.
At the end of the day they are both really wonderful. Its whatever one fancies.

[TswaneNguni]

111

[jk103]

111 all the way!

[TimeOnHand]

I have and love the 510... but the 111 would also be an easy winner as well.

[swink6112]

111 ftw!

[Polar Bear]

My vote goes to the 111 too
I have an 8 day PR model but it only gets worn once a week, so it needs to be wound every time i put it on anyway
I also love a clear case back, so thats another vote for the 111

[fivedime]

The P.5000 are hit-or-miss. Not all suffered from the severe inaccuracy when first wound (I am told it was from overlubricating the movement…the watch simply can’t handle the full power and speeds up substantially at first). I had a 590 that suffered from the issue…I could literally watch it gain a second a minute for the first 5 or 10 minutes. Ended up gaining about 30 seconds over the first day, would settle down quite well (within a second or two per day) for all but the last day. It is a problem that can be fixed with a clean and service…but it is also a problem that can be introduced into a previously perfectly performing watch with a poor service.

Classic vs. modern: how much does “in-house” mean to you? The 111’s movement can be serviced by anyone, anytime, anywhere…for much less than Panerai service will cost. But it is an ETA. The in-house P.5000 is just that…but it also means Richmonte service (or a handful of specialists?).

Finally…are you *sure* 47mm isn’t for you? I thought the same (6 3/4” wrist)…the 590 was my first. But between my movement issue, and time getting used to wearing a Panerai, I realized after a year or so that while “on paper” 47mm is just ridiculously huge for me, for a Panerai I just don’t care…they are *SUPPOSED* to be large instruments, divorced from typical watch thinking. I replaced the 590 with a 557 and couldn’t be happier.