WatchProSite|Market|Digest

WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Officine Panerai

Comments:

Panerai PAM 127 and PAM 217 Special Editions 1950 case

By: Bill : December 1st, 2011-16:23

Panerai PAM 127 Special Edition 1950 special edition to commemorate historic vintage models made for the Italian Navy. Highly collectible with its historic resemblance to the watch made in "1950". The PAM 127 is also known as the "Fiddy" showcasing a lot of the original character of Panerai.

With a large 47 mm stainless steel case with a black dial with the 1950 Logo this was the first special edition in the historically correct 47 mm size with a locking crown. Introduced around 2002/2003 it will be hard to ever replace the PAM 127 as the first and most popular special edition ever introduced by Panerai. It has gold hands and a gold sub second hand that are just stunning against the black background. It has an exhibition see through back showing off its OPXI movement which looks similar in design to the vintage Rolex pocket watch movement that these pieces housed. The patented locking crown is gives it a unique look.

The PAM 217 Destro "crown/guard lock on the left" with Marina Militare Logo was introduced around 2005. The "lefty 217" has many of the same characteristics as its brother the PAM 127 on which it was based. The Special Edition status with a run of only 1000 pieces vs. the PAM 127 which had 1950 in the SE series. Some corrections where made to the crystal of the 217 as the original PAM 127 distorted the numerals on the dial. It is part of the charm of the 127 while the 217 reads a little more clearly.

The status of these two always come under pressure with each re edition of sorts but there is very little that can dislodge the "Fiddy" from the cult status it enjoys regardless of how much we enjoy the new interpretation PAM 372, which I do love, as it was essentially the first in this case format to honor the historic heritage of the Panerai brand.

I hope you enjoy this blast form the past.

Bill

Cool blast!

By: BluNotte : December 1st, 2011-16:49

To the past that is Bill!

Great to see your pieces, and while i entered the game late and thus those pieces are out of the question for me now, i though i'd have my own version in the form of the 368 (217) and the 375 (127)!

Both may not have what old Paneristis might called Character, but i find them very suiting to what i have been looking for, and thus in no way inferior to these 2 iconic pieces.

Thanks for the photos!

Stephen

Absolutely

By: Bill : December 1st, 2011-16:56

There is no question there is a new guard which will create its own legacy. I would another set the PAM 249 Cali and the PAM 232 in the Radiomir line. The PAM 21 was produce in such few numbers that it sits in another pot along with the PAM 203.

I love them all and the 390 and 372 large runs will be icons of the future. They will stand the test on time and stake a position in the same way your suite will surely be a hit.

Bill

Bingo Stephen.

By: MichaelC : December 2nd, 2011-06:43

You and I are both of the mindset that we get the piece we want, not the piece everyone else says is the best. Certainly nothing inferior about your selections!

2002 for the Pam 127, 2005 for the 217. Correct, Bill.

By: amanico : December 1st, 2011-21:16

To the LE numbers, you should also add the OORs, 12 for the 127, and I don't remember how many for the 217.

Anyway, I agree on all you said, and I would have loved to see side by side pics of the 372 and 127.

Very nice beasts, my friend.

The true essence of Panerai.

Thanks for another very interesting post.

Best,

Nicolas.

I did not realize that the number of OOR are known

By: Bill : December 1st, 2011-21:34

It should not be the case. This kind of wiggle room takes away for the true LE.

I will line up some pictures of the two but they are really different beast. Each stands in its own corner to together they keep the story of Panerai in front of our minds.

I do not mean the post to be a challenge of one over the other just that the 127 has a legacy in the mind and hearts of the Panerai collectors and the 372 hold the same promise for the new collectors as well as the old guard.

Bill

They are indeed not a challenge. The 127 is the first one.

By: amanico : December 1st, 2011-21:37

The 372 is another thing, for sure.

As often, getting both of them makes sense.

As for the OORs, you know my feeling about them. It is a total lack of respect from Panerai to their clients.

Best,

Nicolas.

11 OORs for the 217, the TRUE OOR

By: Asimut : December 2nd, 2011-06:59

because there are no records for these OORs while for the others we can find the records ;-)

Cheers,

Asi

Dynamic duo

By: Watchlover23 : December 2nd, 2011-03:59

Great collection Bill.... These 2 are my favourite watches in the Panerai family. They have true Panerai DNA in them. You are making me thinking very hard whether to buy the 217 as one of my friend is selling his

Mint condition with no dings. My 127 is feeling a little lonely also...hehe. Lousy excuse to justify a reason to buy one, rite....hahahaha

Good comparison and thoughts.

By: MichaelC : December 2nd, 2011-06:39

I think these two are fairly well cemented in Panerai lore, regardless of what comes out. However, it does not mean they cannot be outdone, or that Panerai won't release more desirable pieces. I think Anthony's poll on the 372 vs. 127 is rather telling. Still, the 127 especially is a piece to always be coveted by brand collectors and diehards.

Very nice pics Bill, I also hope POY responds with a pic of his duo

By: Asimut : December 2nd, 2011-07:02

from a few years ago, where he interchanged the crown guards between the two so they are in the correct position.

Cheers,

Asi

That was my inspiration

By: Bill : December 2nd, 2011-07:14

But as you can my crown guard levers are flopping down rather than up and I spoke with Nicolas a while back about changing even the Boutique was happy to oblige me.

Asi HAGWE

Take care

Best

Bill

Yes, you just have to inverse the crownguards from the 127 to 217 and vice versa.

By: amanico : December 2nd, 2011-08:50

That was POY's excellent idea.

Best,

Nicolas.

I will thank poy for the idea and inspiration [nt]

By: Bill : December 2nd, 2011-10:55

No message body

Those are very cool shots., Bill.

By: colantotte : December 3rd, 2011-10:29

Nice comparision shots.

Thanks for sharing..

Cheers,

Ken

I am glad you enjoyed the pix

By: Bill : December 3rd, 2011-10:34

Hard to capture these two because of the dome crystal.

HAGWE

Bill

Couldn't agree more with what you said Bill...

By: i_am_Sam : December 4th, 2011-01:45

I decided to buy the 217 due to the uniqueness, Marina Militare and Destro

But I always think that 127 has its very own charm

Both are definitely the most iconic vendome-era Panerai

As I said before, there will be much better models in the future

But these 2 will have their own special charm and place in the heart of a Paneristi

Thanks for sharing these beauty

Best,

Sam

I hear you loud and clear.

By: Bill : December 4th, 2011-08:55

It is nice to have a few years under your belt to claim a position. These two have been a round for a while and most of the dust has settled. They are not out to challenge any of the new series just happy to be where they are.

HAGWE

Bill

You're absolutely right Bill

By: i_am_Sam : December 4th, 2011-18:29

You're lucky to be able to keep the pair

Best,

Sam

You have some true classics also

By: Bill : December 4th, 2011-18:35

Much more rare also. Some day we will a worldwide GTG and share all these beauties.

For now I am very happy to share virtually the WWW - It is the next best thing.

Best

Bill

I'll be looking forward to that! :) [nt]

By: i_am_Sam : December 4th, 2011-18:47

No message body

Nice comparison , same duo here ...

By: tomi aka tomi : December 4th, 2011-14:03

Cheers

tomi

Congrats, Tomi. It is a great pair of aces you have here!

By: amanico : December 4th, 2011-14:04

You have very good taste

By: Bill : December 4th, 2011-17:02

We would love to hear more.

Best

Bill

Question re: dome

By: Ted O : February 26th, 2022-15:22

Thanks for this great post! You state below, but I thought the domes were identical (as some others have said) in terms of distortion—not true?

“Some corrections where made to the crystal of the 217 as the original PAM 127 distorted the numerals on the dial. It is part of the charm of the 127 while the 217 reads a little more clearly.”