1st PAM

[jontay02]

okay i know you'll seen this before. the reason why i wanna start this thread is because unlike rolex, PAM tends to get confusing and with all the XXXX models, one would have to keep googling it and this makes life tedious.

After much research, i am certain that i am looking for a hand wound PAM ( or should i say mechancial ) as it holds better value as compared to an auto PAM ( not bashing the latter movement)

Currently, i hold a GMTIIC SS and a 07-08 production SS Daytona black dial ( no serial on the dial itself).
I guess that narrows down to what would be a better choice for me. haha


I love the look of PAMs but would consider
a) 44mm below models
b) hand wound
c) budget 12k below
d) accessible strap conversion ( been reading that some PAM models are a bear when it comes to changing straps)

oh, and 000 is a no-no for me since a friend just recently purchased one. We could always swap in the near future

THANKS!

[Psmith]

Good choice available with your budget

Do you like...
Steel or titanium?
Seconds hand, or just hours and minutes?
Sandwich dial or 'painted' numbers/markers?
Solid or exhibition caseback?
Luminor or Radiomir style cases?

Strap changes are easy on Luminors, especially those with the push-button system. Radiomirs are more fiddly and time-consuming, but of course ease comes with practice

Personally, I would start with a 44 mm Luminor Marina (three hands) such as the 111 or 005, or a Luminor Base (two hands) such as the 112

[jontay02]

i love a clean look

1) Steel
2) seconds hand ? ( need to get at least 2-3 models to compare)

3) i love the sandwich dials (tick)

4) exhibition caseback 110% ( they do make good exhibition caseback as compared to TAG imo) <-- sorry for the comparison, first model that came to mind since Rolex only makes solid caseback.

5)As for Luminor/Radiomir, whats the difference?
also, i kept reading the ''1950''case. whats that? is it the difference in weight proportionate?


imma be honest, i LOVE LOVE LOVE PAM359. Would that be a great first model ? or do i go with the 312?..

As for clothes, i tend to wear a simple Polo and jeans with boat shoes. No suits yet.haha
Would 351 be a good choice? <-- have yet to seen a decent picture of it displaying the tobacco dial. Youtube doenst seem to have proper 1080p vids to show the piece. Its a shame there isnt an AD in where i'm at :(
Cheers!

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by jontay02

i love a clean look

1) Steel
2) seconds hand ? ( need to get at least 2-3 models to compare)

3) i love the sandwich dials (tick)

4) exhibition caseback 110% ( they do make good exhibition caseback as compared to TAG imo) <-- sorry for the comparison, first model that came to mind since Rolex only makes solid caseback.

5)As for Luminor/Radiomir, whats the difference?
also, i kept reading the ''1950''case. whats that? is it the difference in weight proportionate?
imma be honest, i LOVE LOVE LOVE PAM359. Would that be a great first model ? or do i go with the 312?..

As for clothes, i tend to wear a simple Polo and jeans with boat shoes. No suits yet.haha
Would 351 be a good choice? <-- have yet to seen a decent picture of it displaying the tobacco dial. Youtube doenst seem to have proper 1080p vids to show the piece. Its a shame there isnt an AD in where i'm at :(
Cheers!

Sounds like you should be looking at a 111
This is a very popular Luminor Marina model

The 1950 case is a different shaped Luminor case, which sits taller on the wrist than the 'regular' Luminor case. Some people find the 1950 case models too tall or top-heavy. The models you mention - 312, 359, 351 - are all 1950 case Luminor Marinas, and are all automatics. The 351 is titanium, the 312 and 359 are steel (312 is brushed, 359 is polished)

Hope this helps!

[jontay02]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Sounds like you should be looking at a 111
This is a very popular Luminor Marina model

The 1950 case is a different shaped Luminor case, which sits taller on the wrist than the 'regular' Luminor case. Some people find the 1950 case models too tall or top-heavy. The models you mention - 312, 359, 351 - are all 1950 case Luminor Marinas, and are all automatics. The 351 is titanium, the 312 and 359 are steel (312 is brushed, 359 is polished)

Hope this helps!

thanks bud. Does it sit like a DSSD? thats the only watch i can think of now cause it sits pretty high ( given the thickness of the watch ).

[texex91]

351 would be my choice.

Because of Ti, it's very light weight and is not top heavy like some ss pieces can be.

Really is a great watch and can be worn as everyday piece easy.

Let us know what you decide.

[jontay02]

Originally Posted by texex91

351 would be my choice.

Because of Ti, it's very light weight and is not top heavy like some ss pieces can be.

Really is a great watch and can be worn as everyday piece easy.

Let us know what you decide.

have you a close up shot of your 351? or a link perhaps which you recently post in this forum?

[mfer]

233

[p_mcgee]

I'd choose between a 005/111/177 for a 1st Panerai. These are all relatively inexpensive and low-risk purchases (if bought properly), and if you decide either to trade up or trade out of the brand you'll take a minimal hit.

The 312, 351 & their ilk are great, but as stated above IMO they are kind of thick & top heavy & tend to flop around a little too much.

233 is awesome but kind of expensive for a 1st PAM.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by jontay02

thanks bud. Does it sit like a DSSD? thats the only watch i can think of now cause it sits pretty high ( given the thickness of the watch ).

Not dissimilar - they are both about 18 mm high, although imho the PAM feels more top-heavy because it is on a strap. Side by side, you would swear that the 312 (for example) is much bigger than the DSSD, even though there is only 1 mm difference in diameter. If you compare (say) a 312 to a 111, the 111 sits flatter and lower on the wrist, giving the impression of a slightly smaller, lighter watch even though they are both 44 mm

Not sure if this is a factor for you, but some PAMs have in-house movements and others have ETA-based movements

[Wristmaster]

If you have 12k and cant sport anything bigger than 44mm, I suggest get a 233 or both 111 and a radiomir 183 (man that would be a killer combo).

[Psmith]

233 is US$15,900 so would have to be used...

[bcacncnc]

233 - or how about a 390.

[Psmith]

Start with this one, if you want a relatively simple manual wind with display back...

[joskovic]

cant go wrong with 005,111 or 112.