A good old question: Panerai PAM 249 or 232?
Even though these 2 47 mm Radiomir share the same case, lugs, crown and movement ( UNITAS ), their dials and hands are very specific and give them a truly different personality. Credit picture: Unknown, but I will happily credit on request. Black " Califo...
249..
If they issued the 232 with a plexi (I think the 232 OOR had them though) it may have been a real dilemma. Of course, the safe answer would always be to get both! Thanks for the side by side!
While the 232 was the darling, I could never really get to like it.
It was too flat, that’s the best way to describe it. So 249 all the way. I didn’t buy either, but I did get a Cali Radiomir a little later.
I go against the grain here
232 - quite a good proxy for the unobtainable PAM0021 By the way, should any Purist own a 21, I would be very keen to look at some pics. These are rare birds indeed.
Timely question for me...
And one I’m unable to answer for at least another week! Kent
Nice dilemma to have
Both great references and both would be great in the collection. I would however get a 721 ahead of a 232. I really love the 249 and its on my bucket list so it definitely gets my vote.
I have both, but...
...if I had to choose one it’d be the 249. Still, IMO, one of the best releases ever.
The 232 was long on my wishlist... until the 721 came out. I choose the 721.
If i had to decide in between both I would now go with the 249.
I vote 232
Why? Sandwich dial and Gold hands is something I prefer. A negative is that is too flat and has no Plexi. I might choose the 2020 over the 232.
232
even though I've had two and its never stuck. Alwats thought it too "flat", although saw one earlier this year with a plexi fitted and it looked superb! Cali dial just doesnt do it for me.
Definitely 249 for me. 232 is nice but the hands are short
which I always find it odd, imo. Thanks John