d.m
308
My close encounter
I'd been fascinated by watches since I was a kid, but didn't get around to making my first purchase of a "real" watch until two years ago. I had it in my head that I wanted an IWC and went to a dealer a friend of mine told me carried IWC. Turned out they didn't carry IWC--go figure--but they did carry Tutima, RD, VC, Hoblot, UN, and PSM. In fact, Peter Speake-Marin was in the shop the day I walked in. But I digress. I fixated on a UN Maxi Marine Chrono and took about 3 hours to make up my mind over getting the white dial or the black dial version. While I was deliberating, the sales guy went off and came back with a Paneria. It was the first time I'd laid eyes on one and it held zero appeal to me. I bought the UN with a black dial and croc strap.
Fast forward about a year. The font used for the 12, 3, 6, and 9 on the Luminor and Radiomir bases had started to grow on me. But I like a watch that lets you know it's running (via a second hand), so when I caught sight of a PAM183 I started entertaining the idea of owning Panerai. I'm partial to the Radiomir case's curves, so I finally pulled the trigger on a Black Seal a few months ago. It's on my wrist at least 3 days a week. Sometimes more. I love it.
At some point, I'd like to add a Rad 1936 California to my small but growing brood. Ah, so little time, so many watches 
Cheers,
Dom
