Considering my first Panerai

[Tri-Tip]

Hi all,

Been a Rolex fan for years, and currently have a Black Sub w/Date (Ceramic bezel), and a Polar Explorer II. Wear the Sub almost daily and fill in with the Exp II.

Always liked the look of the Panerai. I tried one on a few years ago at a boutique and felt that it was way too large for my wrist, but I believe it was a 44mm model.

I can't wear a watch on a strap, has to be a bracelet, so that only leaves a few choices. I really like the 1124 in the Due line at 42 mm, but haven't had a chance to try one on yet. I see that it says "Limited Availability" on their website, does that mean that it's a limited edition or just that the supply isn't there at this point in time? I would also consider the 1123 if the 1124 is just too big.

My wrists are fairly small, the 42mm Exp II wears large on me, so I have to be resigned to the fact that Panerai might just not be for me.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

What size is your wrist?

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

Hi all,


My wrists are fairly small, the 42mm Exp II wears large on me, so I have to be resigned to the fact that Panerai might just not be for me.

Keep in mind when you have the POV or on a pic you take, it looks larger.

Put the watch on, stand in front of a full-length mirror for a better perspective. You might be surprised at how natural it looks.

[Polar Bear]

PAMs ,by their very nature, should be bigger than you're used too, thats part of their DNA

The Due line boggles me, all of the looks of a 100+ meter WR but you cant do the dishes while wearing it

[Cru Jones]

My thoughts: The bracelet will have it wear larger, which seems to be an issue for you. Plus, Panerais are meant to be on straps (even though the crown-guard-style bracelet is a nice option to have).

Good luck with the hunt.

[htc8p]

first of all you have to like to design, the crown guard, the size.

if you cant get over those then i dont suggest a panerai. you'll just end up hating it.

go for the base model you cant go wrong with that. but note the quality is way lower with 100m wr and snap on casebacks.

for more dressy option i would go with the older radiomirs

the due line is marketed as more of a dress watch or for women.

[Patton250]

I picked up the 1068 a few months ago along with an extra strap. I was all excited to get back into Panerai. This is an exclusive from there online store so I ordered it direct and had it shipped to the house. I immediately got it and liked the look and had it sized. Like a fool I didn’t set the watch until after it was sized for my wrist. It was only then I discovered that the new movements don’t hack anymore. Absolutely furious I couldn’t believe the company of that stature would go backwards in technology all to save a few dollars for a simple mechanism in their movement. I immediately put the watch up for sale at a loss and never put it on my wrist again. Panerai is dead to me. I can’t believe they would go backwards with technology in their movement but go forward in pricing. What a joke.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

My wrist is 6.75”, an Explorer II wears perfect on me and a 44mm Panerai even better. The Due gets no love because of the WR compromise and because the smaller size does not reflect Panerai DNA. For years I thought a 44mm Panerai would simply be too large on my wrist. I was wrong. You may be too.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

What size is your wrist?

About 7 1/2"

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

My wrist is 6.75”, an Explorer II wears perfect on me and a 44mm Panerai even better. The Due gets no love because of the WR compromise and because the smaller size does not reflect Panerai DNA. For years I thought a 44mm Panerai would simply be too large on my wrist. I was wrong. You may be too.

Good advice, I will give it another go, and keep my options open.

Time to go to the Boutique in Beverly Hills and try some on.

[TunaTuna]

Yea try it again. PAM is meant to be big. The Duo is for ladies, you have a big wrist so it won't look right on you

[Rolexavidfan]

With due respect to the posters, I beg to disagree that Luminor Due is for ladies. Maybe for the 38mm but not the 42mm. Agree though that the Due model is marketed as a dress watch with its slim case of 42mm and its thinner profile. The crown guard is Luminor DNA but agree that its low WR makes it not suitable for diving use, but more on desk diving .


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[mjm700]

I also agree that the intended look is to be oversized, and I think the bracelets really add to the overall heft. If a strap is not an option then nothing wrong with seeing if the 42 is a better fit, but very limited options there and not my favorite of the bunch. I tend to go for more of the traditional look over the shiny pretty blue dials etc.

[cbondanz]

I am similar to your situation…7 1/2” wrist and ended up selling my Polar Explorer II because I felt it wore too big.

One option, I recently picked up a Pam 512 and couldn’t be happier. Scratched the Panerai itch, has most of the DNA (less locking crown) but doesn’t feel too large due to the thickness and color, black. With the Polar, the white dial gives the appearance of being large.




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[roger.bolton]

Watch this, you either love pam, or you dont!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozNWUyUxsGY

[KennyS]

I like Rolex. But I hate that I can’t wear them without getting ugly attention.
Panerai has fill that gap, it has robust design and I am not worried someone will attack me on the street for wearing the watch I like.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

About 7 1/2"

Here is what a 47 mm Radiomir looks like on my 7" wrist



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