PAM111 or 312, to enter the "dark side"

[Wristmaster]

Hi all..

im in a very exciting moment, yet very confusing. i believed many of watch lovers has come to this point where they cant decide which to pick between 2 models. it has narrowed down to me that my first panerai wil be either 111 or 312. ive tried 328 before (which is basically 312 with SS bracelet) and it felt heavy and a lil too big for my wrist ,yet i still hope it will look better in leather straps or OEM Rubber. as for 111, never seen it live. but heard so many good reviews for it e.g. the luminor classic case, manual wind, etc. but no date kinda turns me off.

please. enlight me. a PAM will be a very nice gift for myself to start the new year.

p.s im a proud owner of a GMT2C, and i noticed quite a lot of members of this forum who own a GMT2C also own a PAM312. coincidence? or is it the matter of same taste?

[RedBaronF2001]

Originally Posted by Wristmaster

Hi all..

im in a very exciting moment, yet very confusing. i believed many of watch lovers has come to this point where they cant decide which to pick between 2 models. it has narrowed down to me that my first panerai wil be either 111 or 312. ive tried 328 before (which is basically 312 with SS bracelet) and it felt heavy and a lil too big for my wrist ,yet i still hope it will look better in leather straps or OEM Rubber. as for 111, never seen it live. but heard so many good reviews for it e.g. the luminor classic case, manual wind, etc. but no date kinda turns me off.

please. enlight me. a PAM will be a very nice gift for myself to start the new year.

p.s im a proud owner of a GMT2C, and i noticed quite a lot of members of this forum who own a GMT2C also own a PAM312. coincidence? or is it the matter of same taste?

Between the two, the 111 is more "classic" and definitely more comfortable to wear. I am a 312 owner, for the record. If you can deal with no date the 111 is the way to go, honestly.

[Cru Jones]

the two cases do wear differently, so, it's best to try them on. i was first attracted to PAM by the 312 in pictures, but, found that it didn't sit well on my wrist.

if you find the 111 sits better, but still want a date, you could consider the 104....

good luck with the hunt!

[Steel28]

Congrats in advance on trying to make it over to dark side

I was in your shoes as well and went with base logo 000 but for some reason was keep thinking that I need 111 (was my initial choice). Had 000 for a few months, sold it and decided on 111 due to it's sandwich dial, seconds hand and proven movement (nothing wrong with 312 in-house though). I also like how 111 case wears on my wrist.

Good luck in your search.

[eric23]

I would go with the 111.

[rolepam312]

312! I own a sub date and the 312 is a great complement.. It has all the function, in house movement, 1950 case is awesome.. Much more than the standard luminor case...
" welcome to the light!" is more appropriate than the Darkside ... You have seen the light with the beauty of panerai.. It's the others that are stuck in the dark... Good luck

[cwilson13]

I like my 312. I dont find it too thick or heavy but you should try it on before buying one. If you are looking for date and seconds, its is good value (pre-owned) for the money in IMHO.

[Oyster Al]

had same dillema with both and picked 111 (i was very surprised by that because of all the hype surrounding 312 at the time had me lathered up). also if you have other watches with date, its good to mix it it up with a completely different look.

[Explorertwo]

Was also in the same shoes and pickes the 111.
The 111 is my only watch without date function: but i love it: it keeps the dial so clean and classy.
Another difference between the two are the hands: in the beginning i wasn' t quite sure of the black hands of the 111, but in fact it looks really good and again clean and classy.
But than again the 312 is a great watch, can't go wrong with either.
Good luck and keep us informed!

[balak]

I have the 111...
My honest opinion is that you cannot go wrong with either...

[nauticajoe]

I guess it depends if you want a date complication & 1950 case.. If not, I'd lean towards the 111.

Good luck!

[singe89]

The 312 all the way.

I've had the 112 and the 328 and didn't notice much if any wearing comfort. The 328 is much more comfortable on a leather strap over the bracelet. I say go for the 312 if you plan on wearing it for longer periods of time. Thats when the date function and not having to wind it all the time comes in handy. I'm also a big fan of the 312 in house movement. Mine has been steady at +0.8 sec a day.

[andrew79]

Originally Posted by Steel28

Congrats in advance on trying to make it over to dark side

I was in your shoes as well and went with base logo 000 but for some reason was keep thinking that I need 111 (was my initial choice). Had 000 for a few months, sold it and decided on 111 due to it's sandwich dial, seconds hand and proven movement (nothing wrong with 312 in-house though). I also like how 111 case wears on my wrist.

Good luck in your search.

Same here... had 000 for few weeks, flipped it to 111 since then.... happy camper here.... been there try to decide which one to get, 111, 104, 000 or 312.... in the end, i am happy with my decision so far....

[jay_kay]

If you already have an auto Rolex go for a 111. Hand wound, you really get a sense of being at one with it. Find a G series or earlier though. Painted dial... Winner,

[joleel7]

Buy both problem solved

[dalip]

The 312 just doesn't sit well on my wrist - if it did that would have been my choice.

[jldc]

I had a 312 and traded it for a 177. Lighter and more comfortable.

L

[sallyhats]

Just picked up my 111, and if your looking for a started watch I would go with that.

[Wristmaster]

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. I really think it comes down to the matter of "sitting well" on the wrist. hopefully in the near time I can try both on in nearest AD.

as for the movement, I heard some complaints about the defects with the new in house. is it a major issue? or I'm worrying too much?

does anyone here ever had problems with the ETA as well?

[kilyung]

I had the 111, 005, and 000 but prefer the 312. I like the 1950 case, PR, automatic in-house movement, date, sec hand, sandwich dial, and best of all the quick strap change system.

[bcacncnc]

Both are fantastic choices in my opinion and both would be a great companion to your GMT.

To keep it short, I think the major factor for you is how well the watch sits on your wrist. I'm small wristed and the 1950 case sits much higher on me than the Luminor cases. If the 312 fits well, then you can choose from the two. Otherwise, the 111 is "better" choice.

[princeton3]

In all honesty, when I was looking for my PAM, which is my first, I tried on quite a few models, and I did ultimately slightly prefer the wearability of the luminor case over the 1950s case. However, I ended up purchasing the 359 (which has a 1950s case). I had a hard time justifying paying that much for a watch that had a mechanical movement. Then, I just prefered the arabic numerals on the dial of the 359.

[john333]

It really comes down to which one sings to you most. As mentioned above, I think you really need to try them both in person (and at the same time). I felt that they both wore very different...and for me the 1950 Luminor case just sits too high on my wrist.

Good luck...and congrats in advance on the incoming!!!

[WatersedgeWaterproof]

Pretty Easy ! i own a GMT Ceramic in SS & TT i bought the 312 Pam today of days :) so now i feel great , bare in mind the PAM is a larger watch overall so when you go back to the GMT it will feel alot smaller for awhile !

BUt go the 312 ! 1950's case awesome !

[rohardi]

312 312 312 312 312 312 312 312 312

[Udeshik]

I recently just picked up a 312. I had a 112 before it and just couldn't handle not having the date. I really like my 312 over the 112. I am also looking for a Rolex gmt ceramic once I get rid of my Rolex gmt ii coke bezel.

[Wristmaster]

Originally Posted by Udeshik

I recently just picked up a 312. I had a 112 before it and just couldn't handle not having the date. I really like my 312 over the 112. I am also looking for a Rolex gmt ceramic once I get rid of my Rolex gmt ii coke bezel.

just take the plunge with the ceramic. it will really Compliment ur panerai and show something about ur character based on your choice of watches IMHO...

for my situation here, just need one more trip to a Panerai AD before officialy entered "The Dark Side"

[guyrolex]

I started out with a 111 but traded it quickly against a 312 - the manual wind, lack of a date function and lack of a stop seconds function was just too inconvenient. The 312 is far, far superior in every way- and the 1950's case is stunning- it makes the smaller 111 case look very pedestrian in comparison

[Psmith]

The 111 would make a nice contrast to your Rolex, but only as long as you are happy with a simple watch (no date and does not hack)

I like the 312, but imho it is ultimately another 3 hands auto with a date. Nothing wrong with that if you love the look and want to play with straps (the quick-change system on the 312 makes this very easy)


Good luck

[bgriz]

The 312....love the 1950 case and in house movement. The only thing I don't like about the 312 is that it doesn't fit easily under my shirt cuff. I don't want to get the cuffs "expanded" so I have to pick and choose when/where I wear it.