Officine Panerai

Hi All,

Been lurking here and on other pam boards... now that I'm about to get one I think its time to share where I am.

I have been looking at getting my first Panerai the past couple of weeks to add to my very small (90's deville and Omega PO) watch collection. Been doing countless research and trips to my local AD's, and I have pretty much settled with the 112 base. I was initially looking at a 111, but when I started looking and researching more, the simplicity and pureness of the 112 (as well as having a complete 12, 3, 6, 9 markers) did it for me.

I have read that a lot of people think the 112 is overpriced for what it is - the movement is not even in-house (uses an old 6497 base), there is no seconds nor date complication, its manual wind and even not automatic. I sometimes find myself agreeing to the arguments when I look at it from a very practical standpoint. Why pay so much and yet get so less back that a swatch couldn't do!?

I don't know...but the 112, for some mysterious reason, sings to me. The simplicity of it all is just so....errringly beautiful. Now I find myself asking, do I really need the second and date complications on my other watches? Yes it would be nice...but I tend to know the day of the week or I normally look at my cellphone for that.

There is one unit of the 112 in my local AD, and they are offering it to me at $4660... I'm at the crossroads were I know really want one... and yet I feel like I still need some push to get it.

Any thoughts?

... and feels right then go for it. Better to buy something that you like than to buy something you don't like because others do!

I at one point had this watch as well and enjoyed it a lot; I have given it away by now but I still have ample opportunity to wear it if I want, which I actually do every now and then. It is a nice, clean, evergreen Panerai.

welcome. Second, I'm sure everybody in here will tell you that the 112 is a fantastic way to either become a Panerai's owner or to....start a Panerai collection.

Cheers - Sergio

104 was my first PAM with all practical function of a small second, date and automatic, later to find out that i enjoy 112's simple sandwich dial and open case back way more than those 'functions'...
people choose Panerai for different reasons, what is yours...

Why buy a $250k Ferrari sports car when a $20k Toyota will do the job fine from getting you from Destination A to Destination B.  The Toyota may even be more reliable too!

So the same thing applies with watches.  Why buy a $5k Panerai when a $5 digital quartz watch will do the same, if not better?

This is all about luxury.  You're paying for design, marketing, image, etc.

If you like how the PAM112 makes you feel or how it looks, then you have your answer if budget permits.

Cheers,
Anthony

If you like the style and its unique to Panerai, the 112 is a great piece.  There is always going to detractors but the movement is tried and true.  And really, these Historic base are great buys. 

have fun and we look forward to your photos!

and I'm very happy with the decision. Build quality is top notch and the balance/simplicity of the dial is just elegant=) The lume is also amazing on the this thing.... some quick dirty photos from my phone cam. Have an incoming gunny strap and ordering a new buckle from strap culture today.

for the very nice watch! I hope you have fun with it, try different straps on the watch! It's a lot of fun

Best regards,

samrotandi

I've got a few straps lately (I litterally layed siege to the HongKong, Central, Boutique). Like the destros extravaganza, one of these days I'll go straps...only..

Ciao - Sergio

It's good to hear from you again! Can't wait to see your new straps!
So how was HongKong boutique? The 339 looked amazing on your wrist!

cheers

samrotandi

I went to the old one, in Central. I think I bought, just about every strap Panerai ever made. Unfortunately they didn't have a 47mm one for my 232 (as in the 249 I...detest....that hue of brown). This calls for another visit....though....

Cheers - Sergio

and welcome...love that new watch sparkle on the photos...enjoy!

now..you can go strap crazy...

Thanks everyone! Its day 2 and I'm loving every bit of this watch. Just one question, what kind of luminous material does panerai use? Superluminove?

I'm under the shade on a nice sunny day and the dial is just glowing like crazy, very evident even during the daytime! I've never seen something this luminous, definately beats my omega seamaster PO by a long shot. I love the lume.

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 such a nice choice , im tuned to see the shots with the new straps as well.

 

 Faisal

Got a new strap in the mail today, XXXXX with light stitching. Having a brown strap on this watch gives it a completely different look and feel. For reference was my old black leather strap I had from a homage watch, I put this on the moment I got the pam. Thickness of both straps is roughly 4.5-5mm give or take a few.

The leather smells it and it feels somewhat like a stiff sponge (is this how leather really is brand new?). I will be wearing it daily to break it in and see how it looks, I heard breaking this strap in gives it more character. still waiting for my buckle to arrive.

now, off to hunt for an ammo strap.

 

edited out aftermarket strapmaker's name in accordance with forum's non-commercial guidelines  -AT

 

 

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-08-17 16:21:01