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Old 8 March 2017, 12:22 PM   #1
Ruud Van Driver
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PAM 533 v 233

Brethren,

Of these two beauties, which would you choose and why? Cost is not an issue here because the difference is 'only' S$1,500 (GBP 875, USD 1,065)*.

Images are screen shots from the Panerai website.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Go!




*It's a significant amount of money, I know. I for one do not have money to set fire to. I have used the word 'only' and deliberately emphasised it in inverted commas because, in my humble view, the amount is academic when dropping that much on a watch
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Old 8 March 2017, 12:40 PM   #2
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I like the bigger numbers on the 233 and the manual (thinner) case. Does the new 233 still have the domed crystal?
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Old 8 March 2017, 12:40 PM   #3
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I like the 233 better because the dial is nicer and also it's cheaper
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Old 8 March 2017, 03:03 PM   #4
Cru Jones
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Still dreaming of the 533, are we?

To answer you question, though, I'd go 233 for the dome, manual wind, thinner case, size of the "12" and "6", lume color and balance of the dial (while I like the idea of the "9" of the 533, I find it crowds the dial). I also think a PR indicator on the dial makes more sense on a manual wind.

But, you keep coming back to the 533, so who cares what some Internet forum guys think? ;-)
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Old 8 March 2017, 03:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
Still dreaming of the 533, are we?

To answer you question, though, I'd go 233 for the dome, manual wind, thinner case, size of the "12" and "6", lume color and balance of the dial (while I like the idea of the "9" of the 533, I find it crowds the dial).

But, you keep coming back to the 533, so who cares what some Internet forum guys think? ;-)
You know me too well, my friend I'm just checking out people's opinions in case someone drops a bombshell that I might be missing.

It's still a few months off but I'll be picking up my final Pam at the end of July, just before Mrs P whisks me away on a surprise trip for my 50th birthday () so I want to be prepared and make sure the OP boutique have in stock what I want.

I've taken on board everything that my wife and my guy at the OP boutique have said in that I should get something different from my 359 and 689. As much as I like the 389 and love the 372, the 533 was the Panerai that twisted my head, like something out of The Exorcist movie, towards the brand. Also, I'm still haunted by the advice of Nicholas (1st AMG) when I began my hunt in June last year, where he basically said buy the one I want or things get expensive. Whatever else catches my eye, I still keep going back to the 533.

Mrs Van D says that from ten metres away the 533 looks the same as my 359; so does the 372. Maybe. But from ten metres away, how many people can tell the difference between a black Sub and a black GMT? Do I need to have watches that look different? I don't think I do, but what I do believe is that I should have watches that I love having and love wearing
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Old 8 March 2017, 04:00 PM   #6
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^ I think you know what you must do.

Just to throw it out there , since this is "the final one" and for your 50th, have you considered rose gold options? Like the 576, 525 or 684?
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Old 8 March 2017, 04:22 PM   #7
Culley22
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I like the 533. Couldn't tell you why, it just..."looks" better when I look at the two. I actually like the "9" on the dial. It...sings a sweeter tune to me is all.
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Old 8 March 2017, 04:59 PM   #8
Ruud Van Driver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
^ I think you know what you must do.

Just to throw it out there , since this is "the final one" and for your 50th, have you considered rose gold options? Like the 576, 525 or 684?
It's certainly looking like the only thing I can do. I think it would become my go-to watch in a zombie apocalypse too

That's an easy one; I don't like rose gold

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I like the 533. Couldn't tell you why, it just..."looks" better when I look at the two. I actually like the "9" on the dial. It...sings a sweeter tune to me is all.
If you saw the advertising poster in ADs here in Singapore, you'd go one step further and at least try one on. It's a great watch and would be great company for my 689 (same watch, LE boutique only)
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Old 8 March 2017, 05:00 PM   #9
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233, The original and best in my opinion and is and always will be a classic
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Old 8 March 2017, 07:19 PM   #10
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I do like the 9 on the dial, but the 233 pips it for me, for the reasons stated above
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Old 8 March 2017, 11:30 PM   #11
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I think you should buy the 372 for your 50th at 47mm
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Old 8 March 2017, 11:48 PM   #12
Ruud Van Driver
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I think you should buy the 372 for your 50th at 47mm
If I do that Nick, I'll spend the rest of my life jonesing for the 533
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Old 8 March 2017, 11:51 PM   #13
Maltie
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233 without a doubt
- nicer dial
- green lumen
- slightly thinner
- 8 days manual, nicer view on the movement and nothing beats winding this 8 days
- domed crystal
- nicer hands

In short, the 233 is a winner IMHO
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Old 9 March 2017, 01:03 AM   #14
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If I do that Nick, I'll spend the rest of my life jonesing for the 533
I hear you Paul good luck my friend
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Old 9 March 2017, 05:50 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maltie View Post
233 without a doubt
- nicer dial
- green lumen
- slightly thinner
- 8 days manual, nicer view on the movement and nothing beats winding this 8 days
- domed crystal
- nicer hands

In short, the 233 is a winner IMHO
Concur, but I'm biased.
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Old 9 March 2017, 05:54 AM   #16
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I've tried on both and for some reason I much prefer the 533. Don't know why but it's such a beauty !!
How about the submersible (389) for a style bit different to what you already have ... ??
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Old 9 March 2017, 08:22 AM   #17
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I've tried on both and for some reason I much prefer the 533. Don't know why but it's such a beauty !!
How about the submersible (389) for a style bit different to what you already have ... ??
I've tried the 389, 615, 372; I even let a 690 slip through my grasp. I'm going to look at a 692 when it hits my OP boutique too. Thing is, the answer is always going to be the same; I cannot see past the 533
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Old 9 March 2017, 11:17 AM   #18
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I suppose I am newly biased on this decision...







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Old 9 March 2017, 11:48 AM   #19
nick c
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Beautiful josh ^^
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Old 9 March 2017, 12:46 PM   #20
Ruud Van Driver
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I suppose I am newly biased on this decision...







There's no doubt about it, the 233 is a fabulous piece and if Mrs Van D had bought me a five-slot box, one would be reserved for the 233.

It's interesting reading people's views though and it never ceases to amaze me how we view thing's differently. Let's take Maltie's opinions (I'm not picking on you my friend. It's just that you've set your views out in a list, which makes it easier for me to respond ):

- nicer dial - I prefer the 533. I like that it has the 9.
- green lumen - my 359 and 689 are both ecru but the lume shows green in the dark. As Cru will testify, I prefer ecru anyway.
- slightly thinner - this could've been a deal breaker for me until I picked up my D-Blue. Nowadays, it's not an issue.
- 8 days manual, nicer view on the movement and nothing beats winding this 8 days - I would indeed like the same view on the movement, so I'm with you on that one. Whilst I enjoy setting my watches, I can't imagine winding the 233 is any different from the 533. However, if there is a difference please let me know (OMG, I'm geeking out here! )
- domed crystal - with you on this one. I like the domed crystal because it makes the watch wear smaller.
- nicer hands - I prefer the hands of the 533 because to me they're more balanced. The 233 has silver (I think) time hands but the GMT hand is black. That looks weird to me however, the hands of the 533 are all the same colour which is balanced. I like the stealth look of them being all blacked out too, which is a nice contrast to the gold hands on my 689.

I do agree that the 233 is a classic, though. I liken it to Levi 501s; never in fashion, never out of fashion. It always has been and always will be. It's a constant, it's timeless and it just 'is'. I just prefer the 533, that's all.

Thank you for your views, guys Just be prepared for some more requests for opinions over the coming months as I Ruud Van Dither until I have to pull the trigger in four and a half months from now
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Old 9 March 2017, 01:12 PM   #21
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You will love the 692

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver View Post
I've tried the 389, 615, 372; I even let a 690 slip through my grasp. I'm going to look at a 692 when it hits my OP boutique too. Thing is, the answer is always going to be the same; I cannot see past the 533
I tried it during SIHH, beautiful piece !!

PS : about the winding experience, just go to an AD and compare
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Old 9 March 2017, 02:15 PM   #22
Ruud Van Driver
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I tried it during SIHH, beautiful piece !!

PS : about the winding experience, just go to an AD and compare
My guy at OP here has asked me to call in this weekend and to wear my 689. Every word of his message horrified me I suspect it's something to do with the America's Cup pieces but we'll see.

I will most certainly try winding their 233, if they have one, just to feel the difference.

That 692 does look sweet but it's going to have to be something special in the flesh to draw me away from the 533. Don't get me wrong here, there are several pieces that I love and would buy in a heartbeat. However, I'm only allowed one more PAM for now so it has to be something I'm going to love for a long time
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Old 9 March 2017, 04:25 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver View Post
I even let a 690 slip through my grasp.




Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver View Post
However, I'm only allowed one more PAM for now
This is a change from earlier, when the 533 was to by your "final" PAM. ;-)
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Old 9 March 2017, 04:34 PM   #24
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Remember this:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=496854

Exactly. They had three in the boutique and I could've had one, no problem at all. Ok, it was the wrong time to buy but a tidy deposit would have secured it. Still couldn't see past the 533 though
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Old 9 March 2017, 04:50 PM   #25
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Quote:
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Remember this:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=496854

Exactly. They had three in the boutique and I could've had one, no problem at all. Ok, it was the wrong time to buy but a tidy deposit would have secured it. Still couldn't see past the 533 though


Aaaah yes, great thread! I guess I had just subconsciously blocked it, as seeing that watch brings out a drool reflex.

I so enjoy the hunt for the right watch, so thanks for taking us along! Your birthday still seems so far away...
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Old 9 March 2017, 05:30 PM   #26
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Aaaah yes, great thread! I guess I had just subconsciously blocked it, as seeing that watch brings out a drool reflex.

I so enjoy the hunt for the right watch, so thanks for taking us along! Your birthday still seems so far away...
It is indeed a marvellous piece but I have no regrets about not picking it up.

I'm loving the hunt at the moment even though my birthday isn't until first week of August. I don't want to wish my life away but I'm so excited to see what I end up with. Unless there's something special that's going to get thrust under my nose in the next few months, it looks like one of the following:

1. 533
2. 389
3. 372
4. 692
5. 233 (I prefer the 533 in almost every way but I cannot write it off).

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Old 9 March 2017, 08:03 PM   #27
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Paul just buy the 533 if that's what you are set on, your the one that's going to wear it.
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Old 9 March 2017, 09:57 PM   #28
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533
Fantastic watch and seems to be your preferable.
Just please don't tell us that this would be your final Panerai

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Old 12 March 2017, 12:24 AM   #29
Ruud Van Driver
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I tried it during SIHH, beautiful piece !!

PS : about the winding experience, just go to an AD and compare
I went to OP today and had them both out (along with a load of others), wound them both up and, um, they felt exactly the same

No dome crystal on the 233 anymore either, which was disappointing.

Here's the poster from an AD that I poked my nose into, the one showing the 533 that nearly snapped my neck
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Old 12 March 2017, 01:05 AM   #30
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^ Nice pic!

No more dome for the 233??? Why, oh why, Panerai?!?
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