Officine Panerai

Announced a few years ago, eagerly awaited every year, it finally landed. Why is it a Myth? The Mare Nostrum, I mean the original one, was a Prototype conceived for the Italian Deck Officers in 1943, but as the Story says, it was never produced. So, this ...  

the mare looks good but its far too big for me i like the fact they have stuck with the history but the price is a little steep as you said but good pics and review as usual This message has been edited by gazoz on 2010-02-02 03:31:24

Sad, because it would have been MY Panerai, this year! Best, Nicolas

I mean why watch for deck officers was made biger than for divers? Was it ment to be wear on uniforms while outside? 53 against 47mm? Great review Nicolas,do you knoew size of lugs?26 or biger? Does strap tapered for 26 buckle if lugs are biger? Greeting ... 

As another Panerai was even bigger...The Egiziano GPF 2/56, which had a 60 mm case! Therefore, this watch was not made to dive with, as it was originally only 50 meters water resistant. The rest becomes to the legend, as it was only a proto, so a kind of ... 

Yes I know about big E. but that one came latter after WW2? MN as you wrote came 1943,so was bigger than all sort of 47mm pams. Thanks for welcoming me,benn I lurker for a while Best JJ

Which was a 47 mm watch. The 6152 seems to be post WW II. As well as the Small Egiziano, and the Egiziano. So, the only WW II Panerai watch was the 3646, and this Mare Nostrum, but this last one was only a proto. Would have it been different in size if in... 

before hiting market,like box of chocolate never know what you gonna get Cheers, JJ

Chocolate boxes.. Best, Nicolas

...was there to provided the sealing for the 50m rating? Seals were quite primitive in the 40's, so perhaps the extra diameter was used to allow deeper seals along the axis of the chrono pushers (?? of course)

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-02 21:27:12

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to finally after all this years I have someone from same country not to say town on PPro Welcome here and glad you "converted" from lurking to posting Best Damian

As usual, insightful and enlightening. I don't believe I have seen a family portrait of the few editions of the Mare Nostrum till now. Thanks, Nico!

To take, indeed! And that was the resaon why I was so much in love with the Pre V Mare, with the smooth bezel. 2 undisputable beauties, only one wearable, sadly. Thanks for your nice comments, and Best! Nicolas

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But too big is too big, sadly... Sometimes, sticking with History has its inconvenients... Hope all is well, my friend. Best, Nicolas

of sending the new Mare to service. Maybe it will return with an engraved bezel? Asi

For once, I was not the one who said it! Maybe this time, they would engrave the case back? Best, my friend. Nicolas

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below the belt my friend.... Sorry to have missed you last week!

Great MN report Reneo

You should have a good time with Patrice. Thanks for these comparative photos. I hope Panerai will re-introduice MN in more usual size for many of us. Cheers, Patrickh

It was great to see Patrice there, for his first SIHH... He's such a great guy, and a great friend, too. Best, Nicolas

What good idea to group these 3 panerai isn't ? LOL I am very pleased to have been able to share with you my friend these few moments Thanks for this construtive post Nicolas ... the PAM 300 ? Too big, too expensive, too exclusive ... Amen ! I keep my 304... 

Bringing our Mares for a Comparative shot! Indeed, the 304 is the perfect Mare..A pure Beauty! Cherish it! Best, my dear friend. Nicolas

Martin

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-02 06:53:02

Just fuels my passion in getting this piece soon! Merci Nicolas! Stephen

Well, if you add this Mare, and the Egiziano to your Cali ( PAM 249, the one and only one ... ), so you'll need a Pam 127, and it will be the perfect Panerai Vendome Collection... The Grail is not far...Now! Best, Nicolas

Panerai has created an exceptional hommage piece here, although I fully agree with your sentiments on the selected movement. Alas, the dial is to die for; if funds permitted I would be in line for this one. Thanks for the thorough report

To see that this Mare is difficult to wear... I love these Mare so much, that this new Pam 300 made my heart beat faster... A pain, but an historical one... Best, my friend. Nicolas

I think we need to make another review once it's released. Yes, it's quite big, and unwearable, but it's truly a historical icon mirroring the Panerai's DNA. I respect Panerai for making another daring release.

in the Mare... its a beautiful piece..but the size is a bit much...

for your report.... Very objective.... and I agree with you on many aspects.... although a great design and a beautiful movement.... It is way too big to wear, at least for my wrist... I would not buy this one as I would not be able to wear it and it woul... 

127, 249, The Egiziano... The buckle is buckled with this Mare... Agree with you, actually. As for the Pre V service, it is a totally different story! Best, Nicolas

That is way way to big for me.... 249 is a different story.... Cheers

Nice watch, and I know I am not a follower of Panerai, but come onnnnnn, that's beyond ridiculous! Nice watch though!

It was ... " logical " that the Chrono is priced above. Normal? No. Logical? Yes. Best, Nicolas

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nice summation, concise and informative. have been thinking of a pre-v for a year now.....

The Pre V are more a kind of Hommage to the Vintage, an original and somehow audacious re interpretation of the Vintage( at a moment when 44 mm was seen as a stupid big size ), while this Mare, as well as the Egiziano are more to be classified among the p... 

You should get it. Great report, Nicolas. Most informative indeed. Thanks for putting it together.

But this watch is worth some sacrifices... Thanks for your nice words, Davo. Best, Nicolas

and always a pleasure to read you here . . .hope all has been well and a great start to 2010

Where have you been hiding, my friend? Thanks for your nice words, Sean, and hope we'll finally meet, one day! Very best to you, and yours. Nicolas

Thanks for the history on the Mare Nostrum which I found to be highly educational. The 2-step dial is great and hope Panerai utilizes it more in future dials. Awesome post and great work! Cheers, Anthony

That is the only thing which is missing to the Pre V Mare to be THE perfect Mare... Thanks for your kind words, Anthony. Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-02 22:12:24

treat from laboratory of Dr. Nicolas Thank you Damian

I also think that the case back should be solid! Alepos

Watch, with a more rugged movement... But, besides these observations, this is a terrific watch. Best, and thanks, Alepos! Nicolas

Thanks a lot for posting such informative post Nicolas , I personally wasn’t aware of how deep the history of this watch , now I truly appreciate it more , but again at the price of 26,000 Euros almost …. I don’t know it is not that am a man who is not wi... 

I'd say that the fair price is the price the future owner of the watch is willing to pay... Best, Nicolas

loool mate thats devlish. Faisal

I find always interesting to spend time reading about those undesired, rare and splendid Panerai Mare Nostrum. Many thanks for your good posts (I think there is not much to say about this perfectly executed vintage replica, yet your passion for it makes y... 

Thanks for your interesting and very valuable input, my friend. I knew that some protos had a see through case back, I didn't know ALL the protos had it, and specially this Mare... But as always, when you don't know ...Dédé knows! As for your wishes to ge... 

Not all prototypes were shown with 'an exhibition' case back, but some! What's your say, should the hoped 47mm be with engraved or not engraved bezel?

As I already own the engraved version... Best, Nicolas

Are there pictures of caseback of this proto ... During the SIHH, Panerai refused to get out of the window Best Patrice

But right here I have this one. Somewhere I have other shots, including the movement, I will post later....  

This piecture has nothing to do with Panerai watches being exhibited (meaning being shown at Military exhibition in the 60's and 70's) What I also said was that some of their prototypes was shown with an exhibition case back, NOT ALL WATCHES.

Or is tghere another Italian Miracle? Best, Nicolas

You could ask PANERAI to make you a medallion... ;-) Mr. Trigger ;-) This message has been edited by PoyFR on 2010-02-04 22:26:15...  

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Again, a fantastic post and I'm very lucky to see all three watches together in the same post. The history of the Mare Nostrum lives on! And this is definitely one of the definitive Panerai timepieces! Truly a great post; one that evokes the interesting h... 

It was clear for us that it was the pic to do, the latest side by side with the Pre Vs... Finding a Mare with a smooth bezel was not the easiest thing, tough. I was ( and still am ) excited by this watch as I am frustrated to not be able to wear it... Dam... 

nice...you want to make yourself believe you can pull it off..Owning a 301A myself and seeing the groupshot side by side you guys took unfortunately wakes me up from this dream............Really cool..but for now I'll stick with the 301A... .As always...k...  

But is this a surprise, coming from us? This large smooth bezel is to die for, my friend. And the 2 step dial too. Too bad it is too big for my chicken wrist... Best, Nicolas

thanks, especially for the MN group shot side by side. PAM 300 looks good on your wrist ! but i agree with your view of this Fantastichighpriced unwearable watch. Best from quenelle land. Ivan

I tried to corrupt myself so hard, to get convinced that I would be able to wear it... But I think that I will happily get stuck to my 5218-301/A... Best, my friend. Nicolas

Hello, With my huge wrists the pam 300, pam 341 and the Pam 339 are all going to be welcome. Really love the design , size and the strap on the Pam 300. The main problem lies with affordability. I think many people would be interested in these watches if ... 

This Mare is for you! What a watch! It has been a long time that I wasn't that ...moved by a Panerai. Thanks for your input, Jonathan. Best, Nicolas

...Great post and review and thanksfor the wrap up of information on the historical aspects of this beasts..! Its definately too expensive (for my liking) not having a in-house caliber. But I am sure they will be sold out sooner than later Best Hans

And I'm sure that Hard Core Panerai Collectors will jump on it... At any price... Best, my friend. Nicolas

great post Nicolas Only 2 bad things about the watch 1 - 60 mm is stupid, no discussion. Historical correct or not. A watch you can't wear is a missed chance 2 - 19 K euro is theft ! 10-12 K would be expensive but acceptable

Not, 19, but 26 K Euros... As I learnt at School, 2 Bad things=1 one good thing. Best, Nicolas

I was talking about the Egiziano ;-)

Your review is amazing. You know that I´ve always admired these "rare" Mares, and that I think that is a true and awesome Panerai. The first time I was able to admire one in the flesh (thanks to you) I falled inmediately in love. Strong, different, a real... 

This one is really dangerous! But Thanks to God, its price, but most of all, its size will make me stay away from it... Best, Hermano! Nicolas

really an impressive watch ! Thanks for the review ! Cheers Jeff

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wonderful report. While we're on the topic of pricing, I would say the price is in line? EUR18k for PAM309/322/349 w/ Minerva time only movement so EUR27k doesn't sound far fetched for a piece powered by Minerva chronograph movement? Perhaps it's for prec... 

The correct price is the price people is willing to pay... So, the price may be correct, indeed. Personnally, I think that the Minerva on the 309 / 322 was too high, but the Reality of the market may show that I'm wrong. I don't know if they sold fast or ... 

This is the report I have been waiting for. The Mare is important to us all. It is pure DNA, I hung on every word. (kinda) L0L This is not a watch to wear, but to stay complete in the collection. Anything over 47mm 4 sure. and at this point, anything Mare... 

I would have jumped on it...And get it if luck was on my side... Thanks for your nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas