F I wanted a single Panerai in my collection - what is the quintessential

[ars1g09]

I've always had a thing for Panerais. Their combat diving history, in particular, interests me, and their unique design - i.e. their crown guard - has always spoken to me.

That's why my first ever proper watch was a PAM320 - bought used from HK. To be honest this was never really my favorite Panerai - I favored the smaller 42mm cases like the 111 or the 177, or even the 234 - but it was the watch that really started my collecting journey. I let it go 3 years ago for a 5164, and to be honest, I don't really miss the 320.

I do, however, miss having a Panerai in my collection among the more currently hot (but still classic) brands like AP, Rolex and PP.

With that in mind, would appreciate input from people in this forum of what would be a good piece that is a classic and represents the design language of Panerai best? This includes vintage Pre-V pieces all the way to current models. As I said above the only two preferences I have are that it ideally should be 42mm, and it should be a piece with the crown guard (i.e. no Radiomirs).

Thanks in advance for all your input!

[JorgeCCW]

Sorry but imho , no quintessential Panerai at 42mm. Panerai DNA is Within cases of 44-47mm diameter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pdnb]

OP,
Do you mean 42 or 44mm? As you said 42 but mention 111 which is 44mm.

Anyways, I agree with Jorge, while there are some handsome 42mm Panerai, they are not quintessential ones.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ars1g09]

Ah sorry, apologies - a bit unfamiliar with the Panerai world!
Yes in that case either 44 or 42 would do - I always thought the 111/177 looked 'smaller' than the 320 which was 44, which is why I assumed they were 42.

[ap1]

1392. I’m not one for quintessential, do you

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by ars1g09

Ah sorry, apologies - a bit unfamiliar with the Panerai world!
Yes in that case either 44 or 42 would do - I always thought the 111/177 looked 'smaller' than the 320 which was 44, which is why I assumed they were 42.

Ok got it...

The very watch I was considering was the 320!! I think for someone entering the Panerai world, it hits a lot of notes, you get the “9” and small seconds, don’t get the “3” but you get date for those that want one, it adds a clean 12 hour GMT hand and a power reserve indicator on the back.

However, with more research I went for a preowned 233 “dot” model for the domed sapphire (very few models have domed sapphire on 44mm models, more on 47mm).
It also has an 8 day manual wound movement so it sits lower on the wrist as it does not have a auto rotor and has a linear power reserve indicator on the front.

For Panerai purists, they like the “base models” with nothing else, not even seconds hand. They would suggest 372 on 47mm and 112, or 390.

But for those that collect other brands and want “only one” Panerai, many members on TRF choose the 233.

Lastly the 111 fits smaller than the 320 because it is a mechanical watch, has no rotor and sits lower on wrist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NYG1121]

I have small wrists. I went with the 42mm 1392 as my first panerai, which seemed like the logical choice and is definitely a great reference. But it was missing something that I can't quite describe..

I just pulled the trigger on a PAM233 for exactly the reasons you mentioned. The domed crystal, manual wind with slimmer profile and seems to have the true panerai DNA. Will post some feedback once I receive it

[crazycarlitos]

If u want a “quintessential” luminor, u will want at least 44mm and forget about the 42mm.

If u want something that fits u best, perhaps consider the 42mm.

Things u need to decide after the size

- Bettarini case or 1950 case
- second hand? Aka luminor marina
- date? Personally I do not consider date window as “quintessential”
- 3 day or 8 day?
- sausage or sandwich?
- domed crystal?
I also do not consider gmt/chrono/etc as quintessential panerai. Simplicity equals panerai for me. Ymmv.

Quintessential panerai for me would be like the pam127.

The first panerai I bought was 44mm pam911 which checked all the boxes for me.

Good luck on ur hunt

[stockae92]

Originally Posted by ars1g09

Ah sorry, apologies - a bit unfamiliar with the Panerai world!
Yes in that case either 44 or 42 would do - I always thought the 111/177 looked 'smaller' than the 320 which was 44, which is why I assumed they were 42.

the 44mm 1950 case (320) does look and feel bigger than 44mm Luminor case (111). I think partly would be due to the thicker case.

A lot of people would consider the PAM000 or PAM372 to be how a Panerai should be.

For me, I love my sandwich dial and display caseback, and 44mm Luminor is the sweet spot for me.

Pick what stands out for you and go with that.

[JorgeCCW]

My quintessential watch is probably not a favorite here but it’s my favorite, I’ll get it back someday: Pam 557


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Joearch]

233, 360, 127, 005, 232, 111G, 372 are all worthy of your consideration.

[JonaG]

Originally Posted by Joearch

233, 360, 127, 005, 232, 111G, 372 are all worthy of your consideration.

Just got home with a 111g, only been on the wrist for 2 hours but loving the size and the overall look. I didn’t mind sandwich or painted dial which I know sounds weird as it’s often polarizing. I did want the display case back and Panerai engraved movement. Happy hunting in your search.

[NYG1121]

As promised here is the 233 on my baby 6.3 inch wrist. I wouldn’t go smaller than 44mm. Looks big but that is the point!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

As promised here is the 233 on my baby 6.3 inch wrist. I wouldn’t go smaller than 44mm. Looks big but that is the point!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just the way it should look. Rock with confidence.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

As promised here is the 233 on my baby 6.3 inch wrist. I wouldn’t go smaller than 44mm. Looks big but that is the point!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks great!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CyclePath1]

I have the PAM 1312 which has both the traditional 44mm cushion case and crown guard that is iconic to Panerai. It's also a bit slimmer so fit's my wrist better.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

Sorry but imho , no quintessential Panerai at 42mm. Panerai DNA is Within cases of 44-47mm diameter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couldn’t agree more

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

As promised here is the 233 on my baby 6.3 inch wrist. I wouldn’t go smaller than 44mm. Looks big but that is the point!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love this watch. I just can’t seem to find a newer model (2019 or newer) priced with a nice discount

[NYG1121]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

I love this watch. I just can’t seem to find a newer model (2019 or newer) priced with a nice discount

It is not easy to find a newer one! I picked up this 2015 model. I think many owners of these hang on to them.

[Rolextellstime]

I also wanted just one panerai in my collection and as others mentioned, I also went with the pam233 dot dial.
The problem now is that I love the watch so much and am looking to add another panerai, this time a Radiomir
That's the problem with the Pam233...it's too good and sucks you deeper into the brand. Be warned :)

Sent from my SM-N960W using Tapatalk

[levvity]

If I were in your shoes I would go with a 233. Classic Panerai.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

It is not easy to find a newer one! I picked up this 2015 model. I think many owners of these hang on to them.

I know! I started to question if these are even still in production. I’ve been following this model for months, have yet to see one recently purchased, for sale

[Joearch]

This one is a solid choice 233


This one is also very special 372

[yoast]

Get a pam 2a

[Waitlisted Watches]

I would choose the base logo PAM000

[ajas]

If you want one quintessential Pam then I suggest 000 for 44 mm, 372 for 47 mm Luminors and 232 for Radiomir.
The challenge is that you can buy them only preowned , well ... you can still find 372 at dealers if you lucky.

[Vesire]

I would go with dna 47mm cases, that would be pam 422 deffinately and a pam 424 radiomir case, love that style.

[photogeek]

I initially got into Panerai with a PAM369 42mm Radiomir Chrono back in 2012. Kinda weird, I know. My logic at the time was that I thought I had small wrists (I now realized they're 'average' at 6.75") and couldn't pull off the 44mm. Panerai had very, very few 42mm Luminor options at the time - they have many more now, so a quirky Rad was the way to go. The 369 was also different than most, with only a single year of production and just 400 ever produced.

But I always had that feeling that I wanted a "real" Panerai, namely a 44mm Luminor. I went through very much the same thought process as a lot of the previous posters and got myself a 233 last year. Damn! That is just a gorgeous watch.

I love everything about it. It's a very significant model for Panerai - the first to use an in-house movement and the first to use the quick release strap system and one of the first to use the 1950 case. The P.2002 movement is a marvel. Hidden 12-hour GMT hand, 24-hour small GMT hand, small seconds, date, seconds reset, jump hour, dog fang linear power reserve. And an insane 8-day power reserve. The brushed 1950 case with polished bezel is subtle yet elegant. The domed sapphire is just gorgeous. Like many PAMs, it's a venerable strap monster. I even put mine on a NATO sometimes.

So, yeah, I'd say the 233 is the quintessential PAM! The only problem is that it makes my Ceramic GMT Master II look puny by comparison.

[opawlows]

Originally Posted by ajas

If you want one quintessential Pam then I suggest 000 for 44 mm, 372 for 47 mm Luminors and 232 for Radiomir.
The challenge is that you can buy them only preowned , well ... you can still find 372 at dealers if you lucky.

Agree with this!

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

You’re absolutely right. If there will be only one panerai then it must be a 233 ..

Originally Posted by photogeek

I initially got into Panerai with a PAM369 42mm Radiomir Chrono back in 2012. Kinda weird, I know. My logic at the time was that I thought I had small wrists (I now realized they're 'average' at 6.75") and couldn't pull off the 44mm. Panerai had very, very few 42mm Luminor options at the time - they have many more now, so a quirky Rad was the way to go. The 369 was also different than most, with only a single year of production and just 400 ever produced.

But I always had that feeling that I wanted a "real" Panerai, namely a 44mm Luminor. I went through very much the same thought process as a lot of the previous posters and got myself a 233 last year. Damn! That is just a gorgeous watch.

I love everything about it. It's a very significant model for Panerai - the first to use an in-house movement and the first to use the quick release strap system and one of the first to use the 1950 case. The P.2002 movement is a marvel. Hidden 12-hour GMT hand, 24-hour small GMT hand, small seconds, date, seconds reset, jump hour, dog fang linear power reserve. And an insane 8-day power reserve. The brushed 1950 case with polished bezel is subtle yet elegant. The domed sapphire is just gorgeous. Like many PAMs, it's a venerable strap monster. I even put mine on a NATO sometimes.

So, yeah, I'd say the 233 is the quintessential PAM! The only problem is that it makes my Ceramic GMT Master II look puny by comparison.