MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
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Very well done Nico.
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 
The return of a Myth: The Mare Nostrum.
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 ...
Nice Review Nicolas
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
I fear it will be too big not only for you, but for almost everybody, Garry.
Sad, because it would have been MY Panerai, this year! Best, Nicolas
Why is Mare,first proto was biger than dive watches from same period?
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 ...
No, not the bigger Panerai
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 ...
but...
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
At this moment, we only had the 3646
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...
I guess even in old Panerai chenges were possible...
before hiting market,like box of chocolate never know what you gonna get Cheers, JJ
Well, for Old Panerai watches, you had less surprises than
Chocolate boxes.. Best, Nicolas
Perhaps the large diameter...
...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)
I doubt of this, but I have no other rational explanation to offer...:)
This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-02 21:27:12
It is so nice
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
Great lesson on a slice of Panerai history
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!
The pic of the Mare Pre V and the Pam 300 side by side was THE pic
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
I tried to convince myself, Eric...
But too big is too big, sadly... Sometimes, sticking with History has its inconvenients... Hope all is well, my friend. Best, Nicolas
Also a small matter
of sending the new Mare to service. Maybe it will return with an engraved bezel? Asi
ROFLMAO, Asi
For once, I was not the one who said it! Maybe this time, they would engrave the case back? Best, my friend. Nicolas
great historical report Nicolas
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
In 47 mm, it would have been perfect, indeed.
It was great to see Patrice there, for his first SIHH... He's such a great guy, and a great friend, too. Best, Nicolas
WOWOW ...
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...
Yep, we had the same idea, just before going to Geneva.
Bringing our Mares for a Comparative shot! Indeed, the 304 is the perfect Mare..A pure Beauty! Cherish it! Best, my dear friend. Nicolas
Well, Martin, the quality of my pics is far from yours, but hey, we do our best! :)))
This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-02 06:53:02
Perfect sum up of this historical piece!
Just fuels my passion in getting this piece soon! Merci Nicolas! Stephen
My pleasure, 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
Very well done Nico.
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
It is my pain, Michael
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
Very good report 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.
Nicely done! and thank you for the history lesson
in the Mare... its a beautiful piece..but the size is a bit much...
Thank you Nicolas.....
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...
It would be different if you already owned the
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
The Egiziano???
That is way way to big for me.... 249 is a different story.... Cheers
26K euros!!!???
Nice watch, and I know I am not a follower of Panerai, but come onnnnnn, that's beyond ridiculous! Nice watch though!
Well, the simple 309 / 322 is already priced at 18 000 Euros
It was ... " logical " that the Chrono is priced above. Normal? No. Logical? Yes. Best, Nicolas
excellent summary
nice summation, concise and informative. have been thinking of a pre-v for a year now.....
Aaah the Pre V are another thing.
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...
Hey, looks good on YOUR wrist!
You should get it. Great report, Nicolas. Most informative indeed. Thanks for putting it together.
Well, I have to practice some more sports, and to eat more
But this watch is worth some sacrifices... Thanks for your nice words, Davo. Best, Nicolas
Thank you for a great recap Nicolas! . . .
and always a pleasure to read you here . . .hope all has been well and a great start to 2010
Hey Seaaaan!
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
Wonderful post 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
I agree, Anthony, about the 2 step dial
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
Hello Nicolas, thx for the report and all the new info....
I also think that the case back should be solid! Alepos
I rather think it would have been preferable to have a less pricey
Watch, with a more rugged movement... But, besides these observations, this is a terrific watch. Best, and thanks, Alepos! Nicolas
informative
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...
To play the Devil's advocate ( and I love that ..:) )
I'd say that the fair price is the price the future owner of the watch is willing to pay... Best, Nicolas
What a piece
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...
Hello POY
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...
Sorry for misleading you
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?
Hello POY ...
Are there pictures of caseback of this proto ... During the SIHH, Panerai refused to get out of the window Best Patrice
Yes I have a few
But right here I have this one. Somewhere I have other shots, including the movement, I will post later....
Nicolas, this picture was taken in 2005
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.
Yes, Dédé, but I thought there was only one Mare Proto...
Or is tghere another Italian Miracle? Best, Nicolas
I knew... you are fishing and want to make me talk! A M.N. medallion for you?
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...
Fantastic Post!
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...
I had this idea with Patrice
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...
Thing is...It's so damned
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...
It made me love even more my 301/A, Guillermo...
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
Another reference revue, 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
Pics taken with a Leica, text written with the heart..Nothing else, 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
It's certainly a keeper!!!! Thanks for the review
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 ...
If wearability is not a problem, then
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 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
Well, this MN is a piece of Panerai History, Hans
And I'm sure that Hard Core Panerai Collectors will jump on it... At any price... Best, my friend. Nicolas
But it is at least 7 K too expensive !!
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
52mm, not 60, Bruno.
Not, 19, but 26 K Euros... As I learnt at School, 2 Bad things=1 one good thing. Best, Nicolas
Really thanks, hermano!
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...
Be very careful, Emilio
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
Thanks for yet another
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...
You're absolutely right, Jester
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 ...
Bravo (haven't used that one for awhile)
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...
Yes, Walt, if only it would have been released in 47 mm,
I would have jumped on it...And get it if luck was on my side... Thanks for your nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas