JohnFM
1521
For me, aesthetics are one thing, history another
To my eye, the 721 works aesthetically. The first time I saw it, knowing nothing about the history, I thought, 'that's a great looking watch -- striking and eye-catching in its simplicity".
With regard to the history, we can all agree that this was one of the most difficult and painful times in Panerai's and Italy's history. I can understand someone not wanting to be reminded of this history. For me, however, the 721 is, first, a watch made in 2018 (75 years after Italy's surrender) by a company no longer owned by the Panerai family. Second, I find no dishonor in Giuseppi Panerai's decision to not put his name on these watches. His alternatives were to not make the watches at all or to make them and put his name on them. If anything, making the watches and not honoring them with his name may have been the most honorable and courageous of decisions, given his limited array of choices. I find no shame in the manufacture of these anonymous dial watches, either then or now. Pain, yes, and a reminder of a dark time in history, yes ... but shame or dishonor, no.
Dilemma: 721 versus 720
After I have got the virus perhaps I am lucky and will have the chance to get a 721 or 720. Photo credit: unknown I prefer the extreme clean and pure dial of the 721 but I am not sure if I can live with the history and reasons why Panerai decided not to m...
Having seen the two side-by-side...
I much prefer having Radiomir Panerai on the dial ...
congratulations Thomas...
either way you can't go wrong... having said that - i was exactly in the same decision point between 720 vs 721... 721 emerged as a choice for few specific reasons, (i write it as you hesitate w.r. 721) 1) there are very few anonymous dial watches (calif....
Dear maverickmahesh,
thank you very much for your well-founded thoughts! You provided some good arguments which also foe me make the 721 more attractive. Above all to accept and not to forget some very dark chapters of history might open a differentiated perspective. A watch ...
i've seen 232 in pics only...
i used to have a 249, so was dearly missing the anonymous dial - i guess that eventually led me to 721 ! 720 is closer to 232 (1938 pcs), probably the reason why OP restricted it as 500 pcs LE (whereas 721 is 1000 pcs). i was more aware of 232 from our fe...
721 All the Way
I had the same dilemma few months ago, then i saw the 720, beautiful, but jus a normal Radiomir. The 721 is the one, I have many Panerai, the 721is the best. Go for it,
Thank you dear desertimer!
May I ask for a nice wrist shot? 🤗 Did you also compare 721 to 232? Best, Thomas
😍‼️
Thanks a lot, desertimer! I can fully understand why you love it. A pretty family. And the left one is a real beauty and very special... Many congrats and thank you for the pic! Best, Thomas
Thanks.
I am lucky, I had the chance to collect many watches, but Panerais make my hart beating faster...
We are all lucky
to be able to enjoy this hobby more or less intensely!! And I can fully understand your feelings about Panerai... Best, Thomas
Let me see.....
how can I put it? Ehmmm let's try this: if you point a gun at my head and tell me: "Buy a 721" I would look at you straight in the eyes, smile and answer: "Shoot". That being said it's going to be YOUR watch and you do whatever YOU like. Ciao
Ciao Sergio,
I got your point. I have to say that I highly appreciate your knowledge and experience and often enjoy your atypical, humorous style. But in this case and with regard to this historical background I find your drastic scenario somehow ... inappropriate. IM...
Sometimes.....
and I mean just sometimes, if you can't afford/handle the...answers...you shouldn't ask the questions, isn't it? When you (and I mean YOU) ask: what are your thoughts and one "shares" them with you, it should end there, shouldn't it? Otherwise I respectfu...
Wrong track
You are on the wrong track. I can handle the quintessence of your answer very well. 😊 You don’t like it, won’t buy it and - if my memory serves me well - „frown“ when you think of the historical context. And regarding this same context your little scenari...
May I ask you why? To me it is one of the best looking!
I felt in love immediately as I’ve seen it.
Because it was originally designed for the German Nazis.
Panerai didn’t put their name on it in order to not show a connection to them .
Here some interesting informations
about anonymous Panerai dials like the one of 721. Best, Thomas
Dear Tyo, here is an interesting article
about anonymous Panerai dials like the one of 721. Best, Thomas
From a purely aesthetic perspective..
The 721 might be too sterile for my tastes. I am leaning more towards the 720 but would’ve preferred perhaps indices that we more white than ecru (cream) is it? I like how the font is as bold as the 47mm case. I’m ok with having colored indices on my 372 ...
For me, aesthetics are one thing, history another
To my eye, the 721 works aesthetically. The first time I saw it, knowing nothing about the history, I thought, 'that's a great looking watch -- striking and eye-catching in its simplicity". With regard to the history, we can all agree that this was one of...
Two superb watches ... For me the 720 ... The dial is a little empty on the 721
720 is superb ... If i go for a Radiomir ( i have only Luminor ) , i can choose a 720 ( or a 249 )
It would/will als my first Radiomir...
May I ask why you have stuck to Luminors so far? Best, Thomas
Hi John..
I messaged our dear mod a few months about this historical aspect of this piece. In an nutshell, he said as I understood our “conversation” at that time, that while he may have his reasons for not liking it, it’s not something that he is about to impose o...
Dear Echi,
I see clearly what you mean regarding the colour of the indices. I‘m not sure, but on the image of the 720 the font looks brighter than the indices? I would prefer the same colour. Or is it just the pic? The dial of the 721 doesn’t look sterile for me. Ju...
I share the same observation that it may be brighter..
But still on the same side of the tonal spectrum Probably just the pic? Either way, both are nice pieces! Best, Echi
I found some other images of the 720
on the web: Photo credit: gyrusmagazine Best, Thomas ...
I personally see the 721 ...
... as a watch that honors a family-owned Italian watch company that resisted their own oppression by the Nazis in the one way they could (other than losing their lives) by disassociating their name from their own forced creations. Not such a bad message....
Hi Dan, that’s an
interesting approach! Thank you. Have you ever thought about acquiring the 721? Kind regards, Thomas
Hi Thomas, yes, I've been sorely tempted ...
... the simplicity of the design draws me in. I just don't know if I can pull off 47mm. My largest watch is a PAM 115 that my wife gave me long ago when we were married, but nowadays I gravitate to ~38mm watches. Comfort on the wrist has become more impor...
Nice watch!
But here the difference is just 3mm more. And perhaps the Radiomir wears differently. And it’s not lefthanded. So: many variables... You should have a try and see how it feels! ☺️ Although the difference to 38mm is ... hefty.... Best, Thomas
Fair points, all ...
Every time I've seen the 721 (from when the 'stealth photos' were released until now), I do reconsider. And I know myself well enough that if I give it a try, it won't be coming off. That being said, I have a deal with my significant other that if another...
LOL!!!!
„Need” and “must”... 😄 My luck is that my wife shows understanding for my hobby and has developed a slight interest in premium watches. I have to say, she has an excellent taste. Driven by guilty conscience (that is especially when I feel a pressing need ...
It sounds like you have a great mutual understanding ...
... with your spouse! My wife has been very understanding ... until I filled two watch cases. At which point a mea culpa was in order. I don't have the Vacheron 1942 quite yet (a watch will need to depart my stable first. ) Kind regards, Dan
Yes, dear Dan,
but I’m not sure if this „great mutual understanding“ stands on a stable basis.... 😅 What’s the size of your watch cases? ☺️ To depart from watches... Some time ago I did this because I felt I had too much watches which became a kind of “burden” for me. F...
721 no question about it
i see it similar . It’s shall remind us of the dark history which no one should forget. If you this is a no go, then everyone should reconsider products from Mercedez, boss,.. The 721 has more panerai DNA and a real vintage look. This is just stunning. Ev...
There has always been a strong connection
between Panerai and military purposes and operations and non-peaceful uses. So I think the approach to be remembered of a part of 'history' that we must not forget and must not repeat is the best one. Therefore to me the (your! ☺️) 721 isn’t just one of t...
At the end any war is bad and completely unnecessary.
There is no war better than the other. And all countries do have a black history. Enough said about this. We are talking here about watches aren’t we? Big congratulations!!! I am very happy for you. You gonna have lots of fun an will not regret . Let me a...
Dear Ahoi, you really
have got a great collection! My personal ranking: 1. 721 2. 217 3. 662 Do you also have a nice lume shot of the 721? I can hardly wait to try the 721 on my wrist... 🤗 Best, Thomas
Merci beaucoup!!
Fantastic lume shot! The dial is so reduced and at the same time so powerful. The strap looks very good. Where did you get it? Best, Thomas
It’s from corrigia.
The squadra is the grey one which I like a lot. The 74 is probably the best authentic combo. So happy with the watch. Hard to stop sharing that with u ...
This combo looks so fantastic‼️
I can fully understand your emotions and positive feelings. And: please don’t stop sharing! 😋 This is really a great and very special piece in your collection...
Done!
The 721 is mine!! 😀 Thank you for all your help and valuable advices! I will post some pics soon. Cheers, Thomas
