amanico
[JLC Moderator]
402121
Panerai PAM 5218 Marina Militare: How this watch is a very dangerous one.
Panerai definitely did a great job with the PAM 5218. In my opinion, it is one of the most thrilling watch they made for these 15 last years, along with the 372, the 587, the 662 and some other impossible to find, such as the 1346 Guido Panerai & Figlio, or the PAM 267, both of these two last watches being... Marina Militare.
The PAM 372:
The 587:
The 662:
The 267:
The 1346:
The PAM 5218 has the good taste to not be a limited edition, but an annual production, and the good news is that, at the contrary to some mentioned above, it is relatively affordable.
The " 5218 " is intrinsically dangerous, due to its personality, its beauty. Its dial here is the soul of this watch, a witch, bewitching, captivating, with its 4 lines and the orange indices on the black dial, in harmony with the black case. A strong visual impact.
But its stronger dangerosity lies in the fact that it makes the heart of the old school Panerai guys beat faster. A lost feeling for more than a decade now, fed with disappointments, frustration and so on. THIS one brings back the magic of the brand, resurfaces all the reasons which made me love this brand so much, since the 90's... The next best thing for those who owned or dreamed about the elusive Pre Vendome Marina Militare 5218-202/A.
The 202/A:
The consequence? It makes me want to revisit the Pre Vendome era... Irresistibly. To find and enjoy the spirit of these Panerai watches from these years, again. The only bad point with this watch is its box...Panerai missed the opportunity ( or decided to cut the costs?) to deliver this watch with a Pre Vendome Style box, which had the good taste to be small and lovely rather than this blue and cheap piece of crap. But even that I can forget as it won't stop me from getting this watch...
The cheap current box:
And the Pre Vendome Saga, now...
The 201/A:
The 202/A:
The 203/A:
The 205/A:
The 207/A:
The 301/A:
The 302 Slytech:
The 304 Slytech:
All the references I had the pleasure to own, even if I sold all of them but the Logo and the Mare, which I sadly lost...
Before getting my 5218 Marina Militare, with a bit of luck, I will keep on dreaming and looking at the official photos which are quite cool, by the way.
Best,
Nicolas
Credit photos: Panerai, Sothebys, Antiquorum, Artcurial and myself.
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Panerai PAM 5218 Marina Militare: How this watch is a very dangerous one.
Panerai definitely did a great job with the PAM 5218. In my opinion, it is one of the most thrilling watch they made for these 15 last years, along with the 372, the 587, the 662 and some other impossible to find, such as the 1346 Guido Panerai & Figlio, ...
This is such a gem, Nico! Thank you for your great post!
In addition to all the visual qualities and a clever linking to the pre vendome watch, I find this model re-issue to be very comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Probably the most comfortable Panerai case for me!
Ah the 1346
Love the dial and those lugs! Sadly the movement is not very pleasant to look at, a solid case may have been better. So is the new 5218 at the top of your list now?
I also love every one of these watches…
thank you for sharing, my friend…I am eyeing a couple of Panerai as I type…
Wow Wow! dear Nicolas, this is a most fantastic post. Agree with you that it had passed several years since the last time my heart beated so fast as when this watch 05218 was announced past year.
You share here some legendary models and I only hope that Panerai will be re-issuing new versions of those models in a near future. I cross my fingers for you regarding your opportunity of catching a new 5218 for your collection. Un abrazo fuerte amigo mi...
Excellent post as ever
Mon ami. They’ve missed it with that blue armoire box. Paneristi 2025 did get a great blue wooden box, Panerai should have done better job. Pre vendome watches are more and more accessible now that the market is down form 2010s heyday.
Yes
There are some exceptions… I have this el cheapo (1084 with old wooden box) incoming to bang around. ...
Great post w superb pics, as always.. Thank you !
I am also waiting for one, but I am not overly optimistic that it may happen still this year.. 😉 - All your examples and shots of the pre V era are simply great ! Good luck to you to get yours soon ‼️ Best, 😊
Oh dear, not again !
I’m trying to wear gold watches like old school gentlemen now 😂 Big fan of the 372, one of the best modern iterations imho I know you prefer 662
The 5218 is Panerai at its purest form
Every single one of these references is giving me old school watch desire overload!