Officine Panerai

First time poster here.

The 44mm "normal" size has always kept me from buying a PAM. My wrist is 6.5" only. Nevertherless, I really like the case desgin and history of the brand. So, to test the water I got myself a pre-owned PAM50 last month in mint condition. Well, mint in comestic condition only. Within two days I noticed there was a power reserve issue. Even after 30 turns winding and wore it for 10 hours, the watch would stop at 5:00am in the moring and I had to re-wind the watch again......only to see it stop the next morning. The dealer was very understanding and took the watch back for a repair under his in house warranty. I was told that the reversal wheel needed to be replaced. When I got the watch back, it only got marginal improvement. Instead of stopping at 5:00am, it stopped at 7:00am. I contacted the dealer again he agreed to refund the full amount and coved the return shipping. Very nice of him.

So I was actually a PAM owner for a few weeks. But ever since I retunred the watch, I keep wanting to get another one more than ever....and I have been trying to find out more about brand and all the different models. I actually have my eyes set on a PAM 392, 1950 case, sandwish dial and P9000 in house movement, waht is not to like? Well during my resaerch there have been quite a few horry stories re the PAM 392, the P9000 movement and the Paneria centers in general. I guess due to my experience with the PAM50, I am a little nervous about putting down over $6k for a watch that may be a potentail disaster.

I tend to believe that it is normal for people to come out to share their bad expereince rather than their good ones. I would really appreciate it if current PAM owners can share your expereince -good and bad re your PAM such model, movement, ownership duration, issues...etc.

I really want a PAM.

Watches are...mechanicals...things. Mechanical things are subjeted to breakage, no matter how sophisticated and accurate they might have been produced and the costs thereof. To erase a brand just because of the less than perfect track record, it's not logical, just "emotional". I've had an occasional problem with some of my Panerais  and they have all been fixed, so far.

They may not be flawless. The thing is to be sure that a brand can solve those issues.

The Cal 9000 seems to be a good movement.

And the 392 an interesting Watch.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-06-06 14:08:26

There are many more happy panerai owners than unhappy
The lesson that all should learn is to buy from an authorised dealer or a reputable seller and your risk is minimized.
Please show us your watch when youpurchase one.
Bill