amanico
[JLC Moderator]
400157
Some Mare Nostrum pictures and thoughts.
I am a big fan of this model, while Sergio doesn't like it.
I think that the Mare Nostrum is a superb alternative / interesting option to or for a Panerai collection.
The original was a prototype, made in 1942, housing an Angelus movement ( Cal 215 if my memory serves me well ), while the Pre Vendome versions ( 5218-201/A, 5218-302 and 5218-304 ) housed an ETA movement with a Dubois Depraz module, as well as the PAM 6, 7 and 8 and the latest PAM 716.
The exception was the PAM 300 issued in 2010, with a Minerva chronograph movement.
Two sides: 52 mm for the prototype from 1942 and for the re edition of 2010, 42 mm for all the others.
Outside the unobtainable and unfindable prototype, my favorite is the 5218-304. It could have been the PAM 300, but its size is sadly not made for my wrist... If only Panerai could release it in a 47 mm case!
The proto from 1943:
The PAM 300:
The next best thing, the Pre Vendome 5218-304 with its characteristic smooth bezel.
The 5218-301/A:
The 5218-302:
The PAM 8, with its black dial, while the PAM 7 came with a blue dial and the PAM 6 with a white dial. ( Credit picture: Vintagewatchagency ).
And the most recent, from 2017, the PAM 716, which is very close to the Pre Vendome " 301/A " with a slightly larger bezel, a deeper font of the numbers on the bezel, but the same movement.
I had the " 301/A " till 2011, which had involuntarily left my collection. I sold my " 304 " to a good friend of mine. It was my favorite with its smooth bezel. I have a problem with the PAM 716 as it is too close to the Pre Vendome.
So my alternative is to wait for a nice Pre Vendome, or to pray for Panerai to release a smaller PAM 300... That last solution would make my day!
Best,
Nicolas
Some Mare Nostrum pictures and thoughts.
Sergio and myself are disagreeing on the Mare Nostrum. I am a big fan of this model, while Sergio doesn't like it. I think that the Mare Nostrum is a superb alternative / interesting option to or for a Panerai collection. The original was a prototype, mad...
I feel I have to....
clarify something. It's not that I don't like the MN, I just don't like chronographs in general As a matter of fact, since the MN was meant for bridge officers and there would have been some gold pieces made, one could say that it was the FIRST time that ...
I think that the MN...
doesn't sell. For most of the purists it's not a Panerai. The new potential buyers, do not accept it as a Panerai (which is the luminor). Even in the time of the "bubble", when every Pre-V costed serious money, the MN (except the 304 Slytech) could be bou...
I wish Panerai would just educate their customers a little bit and release the Mare Nostrum as a permanent model family in their collection.
A variety including chronographs and three hand movements would also be appreciated. I don't understand why Panerai is letting such a good design go to waste. Some no-name brands are making good money selling this design. Why can't Panerai do this....? Wo...