anders_tylman
13
Advice on PAM 504 vs PAM 232
Hi everyone,
New to the forum, but not new to Panerai. My first - and only - is a PAM22B that I acquired before Panerai went through the rise and drop in the hype cycle. To this day the 22 remains a favorite and I have started to consider adding a Radiomir, more specifically either the PAM 232 el PAM 504.
Beyond the obviously very different direction in aesthetics (Radiomir shape, brown dial and rose gold hands being common themes), I would love to here the forum's expertise on these two options and what to consider. Thoughts on OPX vs P3000?
I have to say that I was pretty much set on the 232, but then bumped into a 504 (a model I had forgot all about) and recalled how much I loved it the first time I saw it as I was buying a Scamosciato dark brown strap for my 22 
The 232 is probably the safe bet, but there's something alluring with that dark brown, almost black, 504 that would make it a very different proposition to the PAM22. I do love suede straps and can see the 504 go very well with both brown and beige ones, potentially also olive green. I do also like Panerais rubber straps for summer.
Any thoughts are highly appreciated. Going around in circles here
PAM504
The famous 232 1938
Collection
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Advice on PAM 504 vs PAM 232
Hi everyone, New to the forum, but not new to Panerai. My first - and only - is a PAM22B that I acquired before Panerai went through the rise and drop in the hype cycle. To this day the 22 remains a favorite and I have started to consider adding a Radiomi...
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The 232 is for sure a safer, historically much more authentic, choice. Why do you think there's a risk with the 504? Purely aesthetics or something else? I've read that some people don't quick like the light weight of ...
I would buy the 232....
it's timeless elegance, will never tire you. The tobacco dial is IMO one of the best ever produced. I had one and let it go ONLY to gift it to one of my nephews that likes Panerai as much as I do. That being said the Panerai Composite material, with which...
Composite Do's and Don't
My 22 is a B-series L, which was an intentional choice as I didn't want the risk of wearing an T-dial. The 232 is indeed timeless elegance. I suspect that's where I will end, but seeing that 504 stirred up my interests as I do love that dark brown case / ...
I like the look of the 504 a lot....
I had a collection of Limited Edition&No longer produced Panerais. That's why I didn't buy the 504 (which is standard model) I made up with the 375 which I find very nice. Your understanding about Panerai composite is incorrect. It comes with all sort...
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Thank you for warning me about the composites, much appreciated. What are some examples of circumstances or wrong usage? I read somewhere that they are sensitive to soap for instance. The 375 is indeed a very nice looking watch. Agree on T-dials > L-dials...
Wrong circumstances....
could be particular acid transpiration, immersion in alcohol (among grass root paneristi, it was customary to "baptise" new aquisitiond in beer or wine etc) I have to be honest, I was not given a "manual" with dos and don't. Just told not to do silly thin...
232 for me
I have seen too many composite cases peeling off. It's been a lot harder to find a 232 than it used to be. The reflection would drive me nuts though so I'd prefer a 294 (a 232 with a plexi) or a 249 but then you have to give up on 100m WR. Then again you ...
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Thanks for your input. I have indeed seen a couple used 504 with what looks like cracks in the black coating. On photos it's hard to say if this is dirt or cracks but sounds like these might be cracks. Have noticed that 232s have started to dry up. For a ...
Polywatch is your friend
Plexi is a non issue and a personal preference with the exception of my watches intended for true diving purpose.
Eons ago....
when I was still living in Singapore, a friend of mine offered me a 294. Before I could say "yes", he apologized and told me it was gone!!! Never had a shot at another one. It had a perfect case/dial, I remember
Panerai has a long history of.....
..ghost models. Blink and you've missed it Lolllllllllllll
First, I wish you the best outcome of your decision.
Second, I hope your brain overcomes your heart’s desires. Panerai has had a history of making the same watch with a variation on a theme. Their worst executions were the composite case watches. Applying a synergistic hard coating on an aluminum substrate ...
Brain winning now
Hi John, thank you so much for providing more detail. I should have thought about the issue of aluminum being a "soft" substrate. I use my watches, so this the sum of these constraints kill the idea regardless of how much I love that dark chocolate finish...
Anders, I hope my direct style didn’t offend you.
I don’t believe Panerai has always made the best decisions with regard to their case materials and finishes. I would be interested in seeing their actual manufacturing specifications. Anyway, I have five Panerai with the 6497 movement (000, 114,176, 177 &...
I agree with you on the....
....materials. I believe it could have boiled down to: if you can't dazzle them with your intelligence, baffle them with your....., as the saying goes. Panerai, at the time didn't have much to promote the brand with. Probably that's the reason why, they w...
... and thank you Sergio
Very helpful and honest input. Much appreciated FWIW, I agree with that it feels like that the Panerai hype cycle fueled some wild product management decisions. As a company, they would have been better off by taking a page from the Ferrari/Porsche/Hermes...
Not at all John...
... on the contrary your directness and clairty was very helpful! I still love the look of the 504, but I want to use my watches and we have three sons so hopefully they'll want to wear them some day. They will have to accept some patina, but a cracking c...
Also forgot to say...
.. that it's great to hear that parts for the 6497 are available outside of Panerai. My Pam 22 is now going to be gone for 10 weeks in total. The mainspring mount broke, so needed to be sent to them and of course also get a full service. The €740 aside, i...
You should count your blessings....
and hope they are right. 10 weeks for a complete service is superfast Lollll I once sent a Blancpain for service. I almost forgot I had owned one. When it finally came back, tears of joy ran down my cheeks. I will spare you what happened to a....Breguet L...
