Talk to me about Panarai please.

[Sheetmaself]

Hi all, I have tried a few Panarai on but never bought one yet. I have a budget of around £4-4.5k and am currently leaning towards a blue dial.

However i know very little about the models available in this range and to the untrained eye they all look pretty similar despite the huge cost differences.

I don’t mind manual or automatic and would prefer at least one complication of some kind.

Also i want the version with the lock on the crown.

Any help greatly appreciated as for the differences, anywhere other than watchfinder, blowers or our very own Mr Hackett to buy one from.

[Cupid-stunt]

i got my first one recently.
It is massive.

Try one on before you commit to purchasing.

[Sheetmaself]

I have tried them on, I often wear a Corum Bubble so used to the size but like you say they are big.

Actually thinking about it are they all generally the same case size?

Yours is lovely by the way!

[MOBB]

One day this will be mine, I’ve had a PAM312 which was great, but the want is strong for this;

[Sheetmaself]

Ooh that is nice!

Normally i wouldnt look twice at a white faced one.

[Jez m]

Love Panerai, have owned 5 or 6 over the last decade or so, a brand I always come back to. For me the Base is my favourite model, simple but elegant and it always gets the most attention of any watch I ve worn. Winding can be a bit of a pain sometimes especially if you only wear it once a week or so, but it s not something that should put you off.

I ve bought all mine from H&T Jewellery. Good prices and can view before you buy if you like. Also 30 day money back from home delivery and a twelve month warranty.

[Sheetmaself]

Thanks for the suggestion

Loving this, shame not available!

https://handt.co.uk/collections/pre-owned-watches/...

[redrabbit]

Go find a 2000's model like this, they are maybe £3-3.5k secondhand. Smaller and much classier than the current stuff (IMHO)

Edited by redrabbit on Sunday 15th June 21:17

[Porkamoo]

GMT Titanium/steel. Always preferred a metal bracelet.

[The Goat]

[Sheetmaself]

Thatbis like what i am after.
i assume the logo near the 6 is OP?

Do yku have the reference? I am thinking maybe a non inhouse movement as correct me if i am wrong they don’t seem any better for time keeping and seem to cost more to service or am i missing something?

[simon800]

Panerai's are in my experience impossible to shop online, as they all feel so different in person.

There are also some big difference in measurements between versions. A PAM 312 was my first nice watch, way too thick for my tastes these days (18mm!). The 01312 which replaced it is 15mm and the 03312 (I think) which is the latest version is 13.7mm. All wear completely differently. But interestingly, the measurements dont fully encapsulate how well (or badly) they fit.

For example I recently tried on the latest/slimmest iteration and it really didn't work on my wrist at all despite on paper being the better option. The slightly thicker manual wind 8 days fitted far better.

Moral of the story is try a load on in person. I'd find half a dozen you like, ask Watchfinder to send them all to your nearest branch, and go try them all on side by side in person. I'd combine it with a trip to the boutique, and from there you will be far better placed and realise hours spent reading up on them on the internet is actually a bit of a waste of time!

[Sheetmaself]

Wow ok i didn’t realise there was such a difference in cases.

Not meant as a slight, more of a “thisbis why I asked the question” they all look so similar and figured they were almost a one size fits all apart from a 44/47mm case difference.

[simon800]

Sheetmaself said:

Wow ok i didn t realise there was such a difference in cases.

Not meant as a slight, more of a thisbis why I asked the question they all look so similar and figured they were almost a one size fits all apart from a 44/47mm case difference.

Yep, it's surprising but a lot of the same size (say 44m) fit completely differently.

The newer slimmer ones have slightly thinner and longer lugs, whilst some of the older thicker ones actually have shorter lugs.

So counterintuitively, the thicker watch can fit a slimmer wrist better than the slimmer watch (depending on wrist shape).

Well worth trying a few on. They make some lovely ones, and at pre owned prices feel like a lot of watch for the money. They massively tank from new so definitely one to pick up pre owned!

[The Goat]

Sheetmaself said:

Thatbis like what i am after.
i assume the logo near the 6 is OP?

Do yku have the reference? I am thinking maybe a non inhouse movement as correct me if i am wrong they don t seem any better for time keeping and seem to cost more to service or am i missing something?

It's an 01085 Blue Mare, Luminor Logo

[Mick Dastardly]

Got this 2007 40mm on a rubber deployant strap recently off eBay and I absolutely love it.

Cost me just over 3 grand with box and all papers.

[Cupid-stunt]

Mick Dastardly said:

Got this 2007 40mm on a rubber deployant strap recently off eBay and I absolutely love it.

Cost me just over 3 grand with box and all papers.

Nice choice in wine as well.
I have a 1997 and 2001 that i need to open at some point.

[Nick_MSM]

I've had two over the years, and didn't particularly bond with either unfortunately. I had a 005 and a 372 - the 372 despite being larger was more comfortable on my wrist. I do like their versatility with different straps though.

[GuigiaroBertone]

Cupid-stunt said:

Nice choice in wine as well.
I have a 1997 and 2001 that i need to open at some point.

Snap. This is a PAM00050 but I don't wear the metal bracelet it came with- it's a bit OTT.

Would I recommend it? Heart says yes, head should have said no. It was my first proper watch and I bought it instead of a submariner which was a similar price at the time. Movement and build quality is relatively poor. It went back to the dealer a couple of times for repairs under warranty (crown guard fell off/ stem came loose) but has been fine since.

I think one major upside with Panerai is all the aftermarket straps you can buy- many quality aftermarket ones look better than OEM.

[Mick Dastardly]

Cupid-stunt said:

Mick Dastardly said:

Got this 2007 40mm on a rubber deployant strap recently off eBay and I absolutely love it.

Cost me just over 3 grand with box and all papers.

Nice choice in wine as well.
I have a 1997 and 2001 that i need to open at some point.

You lucky chap. Sadly I’ve drunk all my older Vintages and I’m too tight to pay the prices they go for nowadays, but fortunately my sons each buy me a bottle on Fathers Day and my birthday, hence the pic as I’ve yet to lay down the bottles I got yesterday.