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H2F · 5 April 2010, 09:39 PM

After some anxious weeks of delays and waiting (including a last minute surprise LE number change), I am finally a Pamily man!

First let me say I'm not a WIS, and being a complete noob to Panerais, I think I'm just too uneducated to fully appreciate the simplicity of the base models which seem so popular with 1st time owners. I can't see myself getting a watch just because of its history or movement. The few watches I have, I bought because I like how it looks -- and most importantly, how I feel wearing it. Heck, I don't even mind a good quartz...

Back in January, I asked some advice about getting a sub for a noob, and received many valuable answers. Then over the next few months, I read over and over how important it is NOT to settle and to "be patient and get the one you really desire". So, after a long thought I decided NOT to settle and I went and get my wife to buy me my grail... a brand new 193 Depth Gauge!

Sure, it's not the most popular Pam out there. But I dunno, from the very first time I laid eyes on it, it just... sings to me! When I was thinking about writing this "First Pam" post, I tried to come up with some logical reasons "Why the 193?". Is it because there's only 600 of 'em? Because it has a T-dial? Because it's got it's own category on Panerai.com? Because the 120m Depth Gauge IS actually certified & functional? (and yes, I do fully intend to dive with it)... At the end, I thought you know what? How can anyone RATIONALIZE plunking down multi-$K for a watch?? I got it because it puts a stupid grin on my face! Because it makes me FEEL HUGE JOY & HAPPINESS!! And yes, I do finally get how Panerais are not JUST a watch!! (-- as a matter of fact, the 193 is literally NOT a watch -- it's a "Professional Instrument"

)

So, here's a few first impressions:

Having psyched myself up over the supposed heft & thickness of the 193 for a few weeks -- I was surprised how "mellow" the 193 actually wears on the wrist. Perhaps if you were expecting a dress watch, the thickness would shock you. But compared to many dive watches, the 193 is VERY refined indeed. Too, my first Breitling was an Emergency Mission, which is 44mm but almost as thick. I see absolutely no problem wearing this 193 as a daily wear on my 6.75" wrist.

Don't get me wrong, the 193 is certainly THE BEAST!! -- But maybe less "Frankenstein" and more Disney's "The Beast" wearing a tuxedo waltzing with The Beauty... if you know what I mean...

So I would like to thank first n foremost, my oh-so-lovely & generous wife, my future-bro-in-law whose Panerai bug I caught -- and I look forward to many, many, many strap changes (been busy... 15 and counting!)!

Following are some of favorite straps so far -- please excuse pics as I learn to take Risti style shots.

First on is custom ++Ray++ Monster "Tongue of the Beast" Croco (what can I say, it IS a Subzilla, and Ray was willing to try my crazy idea...):

This one is "Tail of the Beast" (horns are very soft)

Strap Cartel "Old Vintage":

Kwong Blue Croc for casual jeans day:

Thanks for reading!

H2F

Trurolexer · 5 April 2010, 10:09 PM

Selamat Datang Di TRF Panerai Forum!!! Great Monster!!! Huge Congrats!!!

P.S : Gue pinjem logo IndoRisti loe jadi signature gue...

Trurolexer · 5 April 2010, 10:10 PM

BTW : you need a Ted Su ammo...lol!!!

Psmith · 5 April 2010, 10:11 PM

Congrats - the DG is one helluva first PAM

Some impressively scary-looking straps there...

Cheers

bungle · 5 April 2010, 10:18 PM

Wow Wow Wow Wow

That is an absolutely beautiful beast

And some fantastic straps as well....

congratulations..........

lolo96706 · 5 April 2010, 10:37 PM

great pictures and a great watch. enjoy!

Mosco · 5 April 2010, 10:55 PM

Wow - excellent pics, fantastic timepiece, beautiful straps - congrats!!!!

leonardH · 5 April 2010, 10:59 PM

very nice H2F !!

mfer · 5 April 2010, 11:37 PM

H2F · 5 April 2010, 11:58 PM

Terima Kasih for the welcome Bro Heru! IndoRisti looks good!

Thanks guys! Havin a blast on my 6th strap in 2 days!! Lol!

Joey_V · 6 April 2010, 12:49 AM

That's sick, son... the straps are nuts too!

Congrats!!

Trurolexer · 6 April 2010, 01:09 AM

BTW loe pakai kamera apa?

TswaneNguni · 6 April 2010, 02:03 AM

Had a DG and the blue dial special edition on the wrist ...very impressive tools !!

Your strap choice compliments the nature of the beast !

Love the pics,...very nice !!

sushisummo · 6 April 2010, 03:22 AM

Nice pics..........Nice straps.......definetly a nice beast PAM. Congrats.

Brunotheboxer · 6 April 2010, 03:48 AM

That watch is..............

AWESOME.

Great POST and Congrats..............

Joey_V · 6 April 2010, 04:13 AM

Some of those straps reminds me of the Kraken... beastly!

stockae92 · 6 April 2010, 04:34 AM

man, that is a beast!

enjoy it in good health :-)

A1000 · 6 April 2010, 05:36 AM

If it sings to you then that's what matters. Great pictures of a great piece. Enjoy!

Badfish179 · 6 April 2010, 08:07 AM

Welcome and thanks for the terrific thread. When you do something the first time, you do it right!!! Way to go and thanks for the nice intro and pics!

B. Doggy · 6 April 2010, 08:35 AM

Like whoa! Thanks for sharing and a huge CONGRATS!!!.....

Nica64 · 6 April 2010, 10:22 AM

Wow beautiful watch!!

and those straps are the bomb

George Ab · 6 April 2010, 10:57 AM

Wow, what a watch, straps and WHAT A WIFE!

bigmikebee · 6 April 2010, 11:34 AM

great looking piece, you dont see to many of those around and +1 on a great wife for getting you what you want.

Carlo Miguel · 6 April 2010, 12:28 PM

W

W !!!

H2F · 6 April 2010, 08:16 PM

Thanks again guys! Thanks for the warm welcome! My wife is my best friend & just the greatest... My enjoyment wouldn't be half as fun if I don't have her to share with...

Bro Heru, I use my ol' Sony Dsc-w80 point-n-shoot, then tweak with freeware Irfanview.

Joey, LOVE the Kraken pic...

Rebel · 6 April 2010, 10:31 PM

Most nice!

rolexenigma · 7 April 2010, 09:01 AM

a

jvo300 · 14 April 2010, 05:15 AM

H2F,

You hooked me on Ray straps. Here's one and another on the way!

Daytonaboy1977 · 14 April 2010, 05:47 AM

What a great watch and great story!! Love the pics and the straps. I have to say I have never been drawn to submersibles till now - I really like the look of the watch and can't help but be draen to this one. Congrats and enjoy!

mailman · 14 April 2010, 09:51 AM

That's a killer piece

Enjoy it

5 April 2010, 09:39 PM	#1
H2F "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Horace Location: RPV, CA & JAKARTA Watch: Pam & Lings Posts: 89	FINALLY!!! (1St Pam) After some anxious weeks of delays and waiting (including a last minute surprise LE number change), I am finally a Pamily man! First let me say I'm not a WIS, and being a complete noob to Panerais, I think I'm just too uneducated to fully appreciate the simplicity of the base models which seem so popular with 1st time owners. I can't see myself getting a watch just because of its history or movement. The few watches I have, I bought because I like how it looks -- and most importantly, how I feel wearing it. Heck, I don't even mind a good quartz... Back in January, I asked some advice about getting a sub for a noob, and received many valuable answers. Then over the next few months, I read over and over how important it is NOT to settle and to "be patient and get the one you really desire". So, after a long thought I decided NOT to settle and I went and get my wife to buy me my grail... a brand new 193 Depth Gauge! Sure, it's not the most popular Pam out there. But I dunno, from the very first time I laid eyes on it, it just... sings to me! When I was thinking about writing this "First Pam" post, I tried to come up with some logical reasons "Why the 193?". Is it because there's only 600 of 'em? Because it has a T-dial? Because it's got it's own category on Panerai.com? Because the 120m Depth Gauge IS actually certified & functional? (and yes, I do fully intend to dive with it)... At the end, I thought you know what? How can anyone RATIONALIZE plunking down multi-$K for a watch?? I got it because it puts a stupid grin on my face! Because it makes me FEEL HUGE JOY & HAPPINESS!! And yes, I do finally get how Panerais are not JUST a watch!! (-- as a matter of fact, the 193 is literally NOT a watch -- it's a "Professional Instrument" ) So, here's a few first impressions: Having psyched myself up over the supposed heft & thickness of the 193 for a few weeks -- I was surprised how "mellow" the 193 actually wears on the wrist. Perhaps if you were expecting a dress watch, the thickness would shock you. But compared to many dive watches, the 193 is VERY refined indeed. Too, my first Breitling was an Emergency Mission, which is 44mm but almost as thick. I see absolutely no problem wearing this 193 as a daily wear on my 6.75" wrist. Don't get me wrong, the 193 is certainly THE BEAST!! -- But maybe less "Frankenstein" and more Disney's "The Beast" wearing a tuxedo waltzing with The Beauty... if you know what I mean... So I would like to thank first n foremost, my oh-so-lovely & generous wife, my future-bro-in-law whose Panerai bug I caught -- and I look forward to many, many, many strap changes (been busy... 15 and counting!)! Following are some of favorite straps so far -- please excuse pics as I learn to take Risti style shots. First on is custom ++Ray++ Monster "Tongue of the Beast" Croco (what can I say, it IS a Subzilla, and Ray was willing to try my crazy idea...): This one is "Tail of the Beast" (horns are very soft) Strap Cartel "Old Vintage": Kwong Blue Croc for casual jeans day: Thanks for reading! H2F

5 April 2010, 10:11 PM	#4
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Congrats - the DG is one helluva first PAM Some impressively scary-looking straps there... Cheers __________________

5 April 2010, 10:55 PM	#7
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Wow - excellent pics, fantastic timepiece, beautiful straps - congrats!!!! __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

5 April 2010, 11:58 PM	#10
H2F "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Horace Location: RPV, CA & JAKARTA Watch: Pam & Lings Posts: 89	Thanks All! Terima Kasih for the welcome Bro Heru! IndoRisti looks good! Thanks guys! Havin a blast on my 6th strap in 2 days!! Lol!

6 April 2010, 12:49 AM	#11
Joey_V "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Joey Location: Dallas, TX Watch: SS Sub 16610 M Posts: 3,824	That's sick, son... the straps are nuts too! Congrats!! __________________ Current Rotation: Rolex Submariner Date (M) - 1/08, Rolex Milgauss GV (V) - 2/10, Rolex SS Black Daytona (V) - 6/10, Rolex GMTIIC (G) - 5/11, TAG Heuer Silverstone (286/1860) - 1/2015 Former-watches: Omega PO/2535.80/2254, TAG Carrera/F1x2/Monaco, Panerai 312K/292L Wish List: Panerai 270/505, Rolex SMURF, Rolex RG Daytona, Rolex DSSD

5 April 2010, 10:09 PM	#2
Trurolexer Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Watch: 5513MaxiI+PreComex Posts: 18,421	Selamat Datang Di TRF Panerai Forum!!! Great Monster!!! Huge Congrats!!! P.S : Gue pinjem logo IndoRisti loe jadi signature gue...

5 April 2010, 10:10 PM	#3
Trurolexer Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Watch: 5513MaxiI+PreComex Posts: 18,421	BTW : you need a Ted Su ammo...lol!!!

5 April 2010, 10:18 PM	#5
bungle "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Chris Location: North Wales, UK Posts: 214	Wow Wow Wow Wow That is an absolutely beautiful beast And some fantastic straps as well.... congratulations..........

5 April 2010, 10:37 PM	#6
lolo96706 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jeff Location: Hawaii Watch: Milgauss GV - V Posts: 202	great pictures and a great watch. enjoy!

5 April 2010, 10:59 PM	#8
leonardH "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Africa Posts: 70	very nice H2F !!

5 April 2010, 11:37 PM	#9
mfer "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Mik Location: USA Posts: 13,723

6 April 2010, 01:09 AM	#12
Trurolexer Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Watch: 5513MaxiI+PreComex Posts: 18,421	BTW loe pakai kamera apa?

6 April 2010, 02:03 AM	#13
TswaneNguni "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: . Watch: Daytonas/Subs/GMTs Posts: 12,609	Had a DG and the blue dial special edition on the wrist ...very impressive tools !! Your strap choice compliments the nature of the beast ! Love the pics,...very nice !!

6 April 2010, 03:22 AM	#14
sushisummo "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: JT Location: in a house....:) Watch: Hmmm......? Posts: 1,776	Nice pics..........Nice straps.......definetly a nice beast PAM. Congrats. __________________ Collections: -- R-O-L-E-X --AP-ROO -- P-A-N-E-R-A-I -- B-R-E-G-U-E-T -- I-W-C -- B-A-L-L -- O-T-H-E-R-S WISHLIST: Too many to list...... Member #23367

6 April 2010, 03:48 AM	#15
Brunotheboxer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Bruno Location: Boston/Cape Cod Watch: 16610,PAM. 111, G Posts: 7,608	That watch is.............. AWESOME. Great POST and Congrats..............

6 April 2010, 04:34 AM	#17
stockae92 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 4,890	man, that is a beast! enjoy it in good health :-)

6 April 2010, 05:36 AM	#18
A1000 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Adrian Location: UK Posts: 953	If it sings to you then that's what matters. Great pictures of a great piece. Enjoy! __________________ Rolex 16610LV (2007) PAM 312K (2009) PAM 292K (2009)

6 April 2010, 08:07 AM	#19
Badfish179 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Snook Location: USS Bluefish Watch: Pam24, Seamaster Posts: 883	Welcome and thanks for the terrific thread. When you do something the first time, you do it right!!! Way to go and thanks for the nice intro and pics! __________________ Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water. - Miguel De Cervantes

6 April 2010, 08:35 AM	#20
B. Doggy "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Bryan Location: Oregon Posts: 7,399	Like whoa! Thanks for sharing and a huge CONGRATS!!!..... __________________ Rolex / Panerai / Omega

6 April 2010, 10:22 AM	#21
Nica64 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,596	Wow beautiful watch!! and those straps are the bomb __________________ ______________________________ You can't turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.

6 April 2010, 10:57 AM	#22
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Wow, what a watch, straps and WHAT A WIFE!

6 April 2010, 11:34 AM	#23
bigmikebee "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 359	great looking piece, you dont see to many of those around and +1 on a great wife for getting you what you want.

6 April 2010, 12:28 PM	#24
Carlo Miguel Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Carlo Location: Philippines Watch: Rolex Daytona Posts: 444	W W !!!

6 April 2010, 08:16 PM	#25
H2F "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Horace Location: RPV, CA & JAKARTA Watch: Pam & Lings Posts: 89	Thanks again guys! Thanks for the warm welcome! My wife is my best friend & just the greatest... My enjoyment wouldn't be half as fun if I don't have her to share with... Bro Heru, I use my ol' Sony Dsc-w80 point-n-shoot, then tweak with freeware Irfanview. Joey, LOVE the Kraken pic...

6 April 2010, 10:31 PM	#26
Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail Location: New Albany Watch: Tudor Sub 75090 Posts: 8,073	Most nice! __________________ ------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation

7 April 2010, 09:01 AM	#27
rolexenigma "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: DON Location: Toronto Watch: Panerai Posts: 4	Congrats (nt) a

14 April 2010, 05:15 AM	#28
jvo300 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 1,897	H2F, You hooked me on Ray straps. Here's one and another on the way!

14 April 2010, 05:47 AM	#29
Daytonaboy1977 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Uk Watch: Various Posts: 1,103	What a great watch and great story!! Love the pics and the straps. I have to say I have never been drawn to submersibles till now - I really like the look of the watch and can't help but be draen to this one. Congrats and enjoy!

14 April 2010, 09:51 AM	#30
mailman TRF Moderator & DATE-JUST41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,388	That's a killer piece Enjoy it __________________ JJ

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