Officine Panerai

Even for those whose feelings had cooled over recent years, I believe the 5218 has helped to rekindle interest in the brand and at least a curiosity in what else they have planned.  Interestingly, there seems to be a newfound interest in 44 mm sized pieces, which seems more of a sweet spot for people. The 5218,1759 and 1708 are just recent examples. But there are also awesome older pieces which continue to impress. Ultimately, I feel that there is always a place for Panerai in any collection, and given the brand’s recent trajectory there could be a place for new pieces in the future. I say this in particular because as my wrist gets a little thinner, my 372 feels to wear increasingly larger.  It’s sad because it’s an iconic piece and there’s nothing that can replace the look and feel of a Panerai, but I think I would enjoy a 44 mm core piece better.







PAM 1708 Source: Revolution Watch




PAM 1759 Source: Panerai website

Have also had a growing interest in 44mm Panerais, though I admit that's from the opposite direction (I'd always thought they were way too big for me and avoided them). I got a nice basic 44mm Luminor in titanium last year:

Is that Submersible the 731? I have the 243 which is a thick bad boy.

I’m addicted to their Submersibles💪🏽

And those, or variations of them, in titanium were my two daily PAMs from 2003 to 2008 or so. There were others at the same time, more than I needed, but a 25 and 177 both titanium were what I wore most.

Congrats on the 24, lovely watch!

An introductory post for the watch would have been/would be called for, I know.

But you also demonstrate the benefit of having various sizes and styles. Pretty much all my Luminors were 47mm…need some diversity.

That and some other 47mm which still remained.  My wrist is smaller now, but with with the extra half inch if that of a decade or more ago 47mm was objectively too much.

I know that is a very special piece and not what you’re referring to as an older, cheaper piece. A more reasonable one that a member here recently shared as his first PAM is the 390. But there are others to explore. I just need to be careful not to get sucked into Panerai vortex again.😊

Even reps from other watch companies will tell you Panerai makes the most distinctive case in the industry. 44mm works perfectly on my 8 inch wrist.

This has so many of the design features I still love, especially that iconic small seconds in combination with the ‘9’.

My wrist is only around 7” but at least to me, all of my 47mm Panerai’s are quite comfortable and certainly make a statement given their size. 

I let go of the Pam 372 recently because it was just large on my wrist. Other than the 44mm luminors, I still have 45mm and 47mm Rad but they are not too overwhelming because of the slim wire lugs.

45s also work great for me!

I wasn't prepared to such a shock. Way too big, I was thinking! 

I had noticed an old post of yours dated Nov 6, 2022 which had a picture of most [but not all] of your PAMs and left me wondering what’s the size of them all. As advised, I will change the strap and wear less tightly to give another try. But I also think there is room for a proper 44mm piece at some point, maybe the 5218 or a cool destro. Thanks again.



Source WPS

Leave 00372 and enjoy it later. Forget it and after a year it will be fun again. If you are looking for 44mm go for it. 

..when Panerai started selling watches to the public. I believe they are the back-bone of Panerai sales. I have a fair few of them (all older model, to be sure) and like them as much as the "historical" 47mm. Buy away Lolllllllll

I seem to have this love/hate relationship with the brand and currently in my love phase, let’s hope it lasts.



Navy Seals edition