Officine Panerai

Finally got myself my first Panerai, couldn't resist the good deal i got during my trip to Germany. After a long struggle i'm finally a proud owner of a Pam287.

The OEM strap looks good and dressy on my Pam287 but i've always been a fan of vintage straps and seeing how Bill has tonnes of them he was kind enough to hook me up with a few vendors. I'm actually quite reluctant to change my strap cos the current deployant works like a gem (anthony posted about it awhile back and i couldn't agree more), incredibly smooth to use and comfortable too.

Now for the tricky bit, while i'm still looking for my ideal strap (been playing around the idea of 1 vintage strap and a horn back croc strap, though i'm not sure how a radiomir would look with  a hornback croc strap..anybody has pics?) its the strap changing that i will be doing that's worrying me a little.

Been going through forums and on strap change but would like to hear some tips here. Any tools i need to invest in to avoid harm to my watch? i read about applying tape to the watch before change? Well it's my first time so  a detailed description would be great.

Since i'm also still shopping for the strap, anybody with more recommendation please PM me. Like i mentioned i'm looking for a Brown Vintage Strap and a Brown Horn Back Croc strap, let me know if you know of any good ones out there.

Woud be great to see some Straps on the Radiomir that you guys have, do post  pics!

Cheers,

ClockOnWrist

in changing the strap on your Radiomir...

1. Use a good quality screwdriver, 1.4mm

2. Work on a good and steady surface, those very small screws can easily get lost. Try not to screw them all the way out .

3. Applying tape is not necessary if you work slowly with a steady hand.

4. Make sure you are aware that the wire lugs are inserted back in their correct position (that means with the little grove in the direction of the screws)

5. Do one side completely before you do the other.

 

Good luck!

Asi

 

 

 

The Rad's do not generally come with screw drivers unlike the Luminors which do.  The size you need is 1.4mm and nor the 1.6mm that comes with most Luminors so be careful with that.

Also as Asi pointed out there is no need to unscrew all the way just enough to allow the lugs out.  The avoids the risk of potentially  putting the screws in at the wrong angle.

Good luck.

Bill

I actually like taking the screws out but everyone has his own preference.  If you do take them out, make sure you don't do your strap change over any carpet or table on top of carpet.  If you have wood floors, you're fine even if you somehow manage to push the screw onto the floor.

Just make sure you have a steady hand and move the screwdriver slowly while in the air to minimize the chances of scratching the case or caseback.

Make sure when you re-insert the 2 strap lug links, that you insert them back into the holes at the same time.  Don't try to insert one lug and then the other.  Do it both at the same time

Cheers,
Anthony

Thanks for the tips guys...real helpful. Now to order the strap itself...

Any radiomir out there with cool shoes?

Gives it a more formal look but still matches the black dial IMO.

FIrst of all, congrats on your first Panerai....very nice choice.

Well, I don't have anything to add from Asi, Bill, and Anthony. You know that those advices are from Expertise Please kindly take those in practice and you will never get scratches on your caseback.

Regarding your request, I have some photos of my Rad combo to share.....

Cheers,

Krieng

In every case the strap looks like it was the special one that fit the watch perfectly.  Only here you have thre perfect fits.

The first one is unique.  I can't pinpoint its origin.

Thanks

Bill

That's the way why Panerai is is charming to the owner as you can always change any kind of straps to get new look  .

Cheers

Thanks for all the pics and advices guys, i've already order 2 straps...gonna take abit before it gets delivered...a dread waiting for it to come.

I'm actually looking at a 2nd panerai already...contagious..saw a Pam242 in the same AD i bought my 287 from...nice numbers too...well we asians like our numbers auspicious. Trying to get hold hold of them now.

Once again thanks for all the help and will post some pics of my stock watch soon. 

Cheers, 

ClockOnWrist

Panerai virus isn't airborne but vision borne

Cheers,
Anthony

Hey guys, I just got a 384 and was changing the straps myself when I noticed that the wire loops on the buckle side of the watch had a short tube attached to one wire loop, which seems to be meant to hold both wire loop ends together in the strap. I was pretty surprised when there was nothing like that when I pulled the loops on the long strap side. Checked the old strap, didn't look like I left anything behind. The new straps (before I put them on), had no such metal tubes. Is this normal