Officine Panerai

I must say that Panerai surprised me, this year.

Well, the Cali and the 2533 SLC are not for me, as I am not a big fan of the " Maiale " on the dial, while I would be ok to see it engraved on a solid case back, and the " black things " are too trendy for my taste.

So, this year, there are two watches I watched, more than others, the Pam 399, curiously called " Radiomir 1940 ", and the Pam 422, a kind of Pam 372 with a small second, and a power reserve indicator on the back, plus a sapphire instead of a plexy.

Which surprised me is the Pam 399.

When I looked at it, I was wondering if it was historically correct, or if it was only a nice watch, with some liberty and distance taken from the origins.

It is not a small Egiziano, it is not a 6152... Was this a prototype???

POY will certainly tell us more on this matter, but I have some doubts this watch ever existed.

Anyway, when you look at it, you are impressed by this watch, by its elegant case, the big crown, without crown protectors, and the interesting Minerva movement ( Cal 16-17 ), nice looking, but not especially well finished, and impressed, also, by its price ( 19 000 Euros... Damn, these Pannies start to be expensive! )

Another nice detail is the sectored hour hand, and the plexy, which I am always happy to see on such a watch.

The limit: A water resistance to ... 30 meters ( from the beach ), which is a pity as you won't be able to wear it during your summer water activities, but you're used to that, as the Cali ( Pam 249 ) has the same problem.









Limited to 100 pieces, I bet a Pam 372 with you all that Panerai will adapt the number on the demand, and that we may have much more.

My pronostic? Somewhere between 150 and 200 watches.

The Pam 422 is another story... We all know what are the roots of this watch, which are shared with the Pam 127, the 6152-1.

The writings, inaugurated on the 372, are here, as well as the faux patina, which I personally prefer to the greenish indexes seen on the Pam 127.

A huge sapphire has been chosen, instead of the plexy of the Pam 372. Less warm, or sexy, for sure, but not bad looking.

The 422 is water resistant to 100 meters, which is enough for your summer baths.





You will find the P 3001, which is correct, aesthetically speaking, as it is close to the Angelus, which was used on the original watch.

A nice looking movement, produced by Val Fleurier for Panerai, exclusively, offering a 3 Days power reserve and an indicator smartly located on the case back, to not ruin the natural balance of the dial.



Personally, I prefer the 372, for its purity, and because I always preferred " Bases " over the Luminor Marina Dials.

But I guess that those who already own the 372 will think about getting this one, too, to make the pair.

Well, I will have to wait one more year, to see a Small Egiziano ( maybe ) or, to help me to wait, maybe I will have to hunt a 372?

Best,

Nicolas

Judging from the tone of the post. Am I wrong to assume we are going to see a return of panerai into vlad's liar.

I have to admit even I don't currently wanting one, the 372 is a worth watch to own.

Regards
Tyler

That is far from being evident that I will have a Panerai in my collection, again.

And if I will, so it iwill be a Small Egiziano ( still to be released ) or a 372.

But it is really far from being evident. Do keep in mind that till recently I owned a Pre V Logo, Pre V Mare and a Vendome Cali. These are still jrad to beat, in my heart.

Best,

Nicolas

Too complex, my friend.

I do agree on the Mare. I really like this watch.

Regards
Tyler

This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-04-02 07:21:56

Never understood why they didn't make 2000 of them and use a Panerai movement instead of this expensive Minerva.

 

Expensive ,the Minerva is not. Panerai decided to make people believe that itr is expensive.

Laboratorio de Ideas...



Best,

Nicolas

That would be nice to see.  I'd be VERY surprised if Panerai doesn't make another variation of the PAM399.

- AT

No message body

And honestly, I don't really care about ( nor get the interest of ) a power reserve indicator.

The simpler is often ( if not always ) the better.

Best,

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-04-02 07:23:09

provoking post. You have a gift Sir.

if you ask me. I'm lukewarm about these two pieces, so I'll also wait for next year. You haven't bought yourself a 372 yet? What exactely are you waiting for an....engraved...invitation. That piece would be right up your alley, IMO of course.

Ciao bello - Sergio

I have to forget what I lost, but when it comes to 2 Pre V pieces, it is more complicated...

And I don't see any modern Panerai beating these 2 Pre V pieces.

But one day, maybe... Like you, I will certainly wait one more year, unless I receive a 372...



Best,

Nicolas.

and again..sorry to hear about your much beloved lost PAMs...and I totally understand your feelings towards them as they were glorious pieces...

with the new releases...I am with Sergio here and I am just luke warm at best...

maybe when the 399 comes out with a P300X movement and a more modest price...

but overall..I need to figure out what the laboratorio di idee is doing lately... 

I am still waiting for the Panerai I would be pleased to call mine. Past is past, and I am waiting for my present with the italian brand.

Next year, maybe...

Best,

Nicolas

The PAM399 is an interesting creation.  I love that segmented hour hand and large crown.  I think it would be a bit of a novelty to wear that case without the crown guard.  The price point is challenging.  In addition to your prediction of extra pieces, I fully expect the same watch to appear next year with maybe a different color to the dial or hands, and the in house movement.

The 422 has such a gorgeous dial.  I agree with the discretion of having the 3 day indicator on the movement.  Still, for such a historic looking piece, I don't see it as a necessary feature.

Therefore, I vote for the 372 on the dial side and the movement side against this 422.  Simple is better for me with regards to these PAMs.

I wondered about the 399 when it first made an appearance ...i have to admit the elements of the case and no gurad a seduction but one must weigh the idea as a whole Is this historically correct... im not the one to answer will leave that for A guru paneristi to answer it... as you said stuffing in a menirva movement and launching the price high" expect 50%+ due to flippers and limited availability of the watch"...

The 372 is a clear winner, in my opinion, while we're waiting for something exceptional coming from the Patrimonio...

Best,

Nicolas

After SIHH 2011 I was left buzzing....and around March of last year I got wind of a rumour we may see a small Egyziano...

I literally wished one year of my life away...for the sake of a watch, I genuinely wanted the year over for SIHH 2012...stupid man that I am...

I was also excited at the "374" which of course became the 449.

let me start with the 399..... I was waiting impatiently for news to come..my iPhone was hot with refreshing as Martin Wilmsen reports came slowly in....then i saw the picture

it was oh my Goodness...they did it, a look alike to the famed Egyziano with Brevet Crown albeit with OP logo...

I was prepared even to forgive the small seconds....

then the kick or kicks to the groin.... (thankfully I have completed my family)

First boot in the gonads....the 399 50pcs (allowing for the "box set")- with a "historical" Minerva....boutique only

and then an even bigger kick to make sure both balls are obliterated...the 449...500...no 750...boutique only

I have asked the boutiques...and while some are more polite (geneva) some are just there to make you feel like lower than merd...vive la France...

will we see a small Egyziano..I really dont know..maybe NIc knows better..

even if the Radiomir 1940 is released as s/s 3000 mvt.. who is to say once again it will not be boutique only..if it is..I'm sorry i cant take my pants down and be humiliated, Ill pay the flipper premium

yes this is not my usual post..yes I am upset , I dont like to be treated like scum...a pauper...to the sales assistants..at the boutiques..read this...you are not Gods,

I have been collecting for over half of my life, i dont need to feel this way...

there, I feel better....

no actually I dont...

but thanks for the pictures again.

Best as always and sorry for the words.

Imran

But at the same time, I haver to say that some people at Panerai are not only professional but also very friendly, and I would like to thank my contact at Panerai ( Panerai France ) who helped me a lot in the Past and who remains a very friendly lady.

So it is difficult to generalize, but yes, let's say that some at Panerai should stop being that arrogant: We are not stupid, we know what we are talking about, and sometimes more and better than them, and even if we didn't, we are passionate people who should be correctly treated.

So yes, I can share your feeling here.

Now about the Small Egiziano, I will wait one more year, or two, my friend. I want it perfect.

Best,

Nicolas

I'm very anxious to see the new collection and to handle these new pieces.  I really love the super clean dial of the PAM399.  Absolute perfection IMO.

For the PAM422, I'm still leaning a lot towards the PAM372 as the winner.  The PAM422 is still a great watch but for some reason I still prefer the PAM372 over it.

Cheers,
Anthony

Yes, Anrthony,  please let us know what do you think of it when you see it.

I am curious to have your opinion on this very one.

Best,

Nicolas

No message body

I've always loved Panerai, not all, but the general design of the watches and brand, regardless of their tendence to over-commercialization.

What I like also is their creativity, not always well successful, but they keep trying until they get something good (like a mad laboratorio)

I think eventually they will come out with something that pleases you and makes you happy.

Maybe you'll get one 372 as a gift this year and I think you'll love it and enjoy it very much, that's what this passion is all about.

I also like your gorgeous pics as always and the "feeling" that you're getting close to overcome your bad experience with your lovely Panerais.

I said close, maybe your time has not come yet.

Bad thing those negative and traumatizing experiences, but eventually we regain our joy

Best regards and thank you for this great (as always) review.

Vive la Panerai!

René

Clean, sober and powerful look, these are the reasons of my love for Panerai.

I overcome my personal issue. Now the thing is to know if I will be happier with a 372, which is my clear favourite of the present moment, than with a Pre V Logo or Mare.

The answer is no.

Will I go for the 372? The answer is maybe.

This year is not my year, yet.

Still waiting...

Un abrazo, Amigo.

Nicolas

I'm sure you could get several nice pre-v Panerais if you wanted,

but maybe they would bring bad memories.

So...dwell with the past and enjoy the present and the expectation of the future is what we do.

I'm sure your Panerai time will come soon my friend, and you'll enjoy it very much.

Best, mon ami.

René

...I am however on the waiting list for the 422 but I have skipped the 372.

The 372 is nicer, simpler, better...yes.

But my experience with plexi is that I simply do not wear it with comfort. Silly, I know, since it is so easy to repair (capecod does it for me). But it is a psychological hurdle that I cannot deny is there, in my case.

My 249 and my Polaris stay in the safe much more than they should just because of that. And this year, to add insult to injury, I am also on the queue for a 448 and a 449 (I am a fool for anything with blue hands).

So the sapphire of the 422 gained my brain (not my heart) because it is the watch I know I will wear comfortably on the beach...