Officine Panerai - Thanks for the kind comments...

Thanks for the kind comments...

I know I kinda joined the 317K party late, but better late then never! Still catch myself admiring the watch every now and then instead of looking at the time. Haha...

On the Radiomir choice, thanks for the feedback. If I count my wife's opinion, it's still even. I bought her a 241, so maybe the power reserve has caught on with her. Her comment when I asked why she liked the 323 better than the 346 (and she was eager to get rid of me to go back to her reading) was "more dials".

Functionality wise the 323 wins hands down in my book, but the polished look still bothers me. Also, not that convinced I can pull off that size and real life examples are hard to come by. Learning the hard way that my wrist will not grow to fit a watch and that I will not be happy with a compromise.

I'm actually more partial towards the 346, brushed finish and it exudes class with the brown dial and Ti colour. Also, it has a clean-ish dial compared to the busy 317, which is a nice variation. The cyclops I don't really mind that much, since it's under the crystal. If I didn't have a ceramic watch already, the 384 would also be a strong contender.

Am I being paranoid about the crown wearing out on a manual with all the locking/unlocking? That's the only misgiving I have about the 346. But I would believe Panerai wouldn't put out a flawed design or use substandard components. I'm no horology expert, but I guess there would be a ton of other manual watches out there with locking crowns, and with probably shorter power reserves.

Should I be concerned about a Ti finish? Softer than steel, but I read that the finish "heals" with oxidation, and you can already touch up hairlines with a touch-up brush/ink eraser.

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Hi from a noob and Radiomir questions/dilemma...

By: L3stat : August 22nd, 2011-03:41

Hi all, been lurking for a while and just got my first Pam, a 317K which I'm still over the moon about! Here's a wristshot: Which brings me to my next point. I'm looking for a Radiomir to complement the 317. I've been reading that the Radiomirs typically ...

Congarts on your 317k. i read yur post somewhere...

By: John HS : August 22nd, 2011-05:08

earlier.. The black knight is a nice watch.. Always love a pam in ceremic. For the rad , i will go for the 323,,, 47mm ,GMT... a nice watch for formal and informal events. IMO. Regards John

Welcome here!

By: i_am_Sam : August 22nd, 2011-07:04

it's really nice what you got there.. the 317 K series.. Between the 2 rad, I'd pick the 323... The cyclops on the 346 is a major turn-off for me... Also that I've tried and worn a 323 before, it feels really nice on the wrist.. The dial is busy, but the ...

346!

By: Stefan2 : August 22nd, 2011-11:13

Of your choices, I would say go for the 346 - Ti with brown dial is unbeatable.

Congratulations on the 317.

By: grigo : August 22nd, 2011-12:31

A version is great even if you don't look at the back all the time. For the Radomir I would personnally choose the 346, I just love the Ti case. Best regards, George

You'v got a beauty there!

By: BluNotte : August 22nd, 2011-18:13

Ciao! First of all welcome to the club! You'b got a very great watch there mate! As for your 2nd one among the two that you are contemplating, i'd say go for the Titanium! Cheers Stephen

Thanks for the kind comments...

By: L3stat : August 22nd, 2011-22:53

Great position to be in..and nice 317!

By: ocwatching : August 23rd, 2011-08:20

Some photos to help in your decision... 47mm SS goodness: I actually really like the round PR. Its a great piece with some useful complications. But it sits a bit high due to the 10 Day PR Auto movement. 6.5" wrist. Here is a comparison photo of the profi...

No need to worry about finishing on the titanium

By: Jester : September 1st, 2011-09:58

I have a few titanium watches for years now my skin is never rough enough to 'rub' any mark on the case. Moreover, given the construction of the onion crown on the the Radiomir, you can easily wind it without rubbing your fingers against the case. As to y...

Pam fans have a steep learning curve

By: kelsiph : August 23rd, 2011-01:30

So I have gone from a noob to trying to find out all I can about Panerai (with some success!). In the process I have found my original "must haves" and cool factors going the other way so I thought I'd share this with you. Panerai is really simplicity at ...

the only way to be Sure

By: Tony A.H : August 23rd, 2011-06:32

is to TRY THE WATCHES ON.!! there's no Better way. don't feel bad asking your Dealer to Order a few Watches for you to Check them out.. i look at it this way: if i'm Buying a Pair of Jeans on Line and if it doesn't Fit mo right ? it's no Big Deal. i'll gi...

Agreed...

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-08:50

Best way is to try to be sure. I'm not even ordering from the ADs here, as they're likely not to have any stock. Left a note to be informed of new stock for a 317 and 335 2 months ago, and until now have heard nothing. Something peculiar that the local AD...

Could I suggest a 268?....

By: sergio : August 23rd, 2011-07:45

Radiomir, auto, PR on dial with fangs, busy dial (like the 317) 45mm...seems to have most of stuff you're looking for.... Cheers - Sergio

The 268 is polished steel...

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-08:45

Which does not rank highly in my book. Thanks Sergio, I did think about that one. It's a manual BTW, shares almost the same movement as the 346, and hence the 346 is its closest comparison. Between the 2 I'd rather the 346. The 323 is also polished steel,...

you're quite right about the manual thing....

By: sergio : August 23rd, 2011-09:41

in my old age dislexia accompanies me.. I noticed the polished steel preference but hey, since you're not going to find THE thing, one "contra" instead of more, not a bad deal. The manual "contra" would be minimal being an 8 days PR piece. Complicated it'...

On simplicity...

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-09:54

I might get there given time. For now I enjoy complicated.=)

ocwatching, that picture is useful!

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-09:06

Thank you! That's a really nice 323! I could take a ruler to the screen to be sure, but it looks like the distance between the extremes of the lugs on the 335, 339 and 323 all seem to about the same. In fact, looks like the 335 is just a tad larger than t...

Sorry mate...

By: ocwatching : August 23rd, 2011-09:23

I own the 190 and the 249. The photos were taken at the PuristS Panerai event last year. Sorry, I mistaken the 335 for your 317. In general, luminors wear big. I have 6.5" wrist and I am comfortable with a 47mm Rad. But I am on the fence with a 47mm Lumin...

No worries...

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-09:52

No worries Phil, thanks very much for the help!

Nice......

By: sergio : August 23rd, 2011-14:49

the black croc on the Cali... Cheers - Sergio

dug up a few more photos...346 on wrist

By: ocwatching : August 23rd, 2011-15:38

here you go...45mm Titanium brushed goodnes: 47mm: 339 composite.....

Another noob question

By: L3stat : August 23rd, 2011-23:29

What's the difference between the "contemporary" and "historic" Radiomirs? Is there a marked case difference like the 1950 Luminors or it is a designation with reference to the complications?

With Panerai...

By: ocwatching : August 24th, 2011-07:37

I believe the Historic models are typically handwound with ETA / 3day / 8day movements. The contemporary models are automatics with some complications.

For me, of those two, I'd pick the PAM323

By: AnthonyTsai : August 24th, 2011-08:01

I'm not a fan of polished watches either, but I make exceptions for Radiomirs. Why? Because I feel Radiomirs looks best when the cases are polished, not brushed or bead blast finished, because the Rad case is an elegant sporty dress watch IMO. With the cu...

Thanks again for the feedback

By: L3stat : September 1st, 2011-23:34

All of you raise valid points. I'm kinda leaning towards the Ti version now though. Clean dial will be a nice variation from the busy 317, and the PR on the back is not a big deal (as opposed to no PR). On the 322, it's a 47mm, so the size may be a deal b...

Long time update

By: L3stat : October 14th, 2011-09:48

So after a long while of inaction, I finally settled on this: Quite an overlap with the Luminor, but I just couldn't resist when my dealer had one. Got an Assolutamente strap like the 292 owners recommended, and it looks better than with the stock strap! ...