Just realized my Panerai dream today: 2 Marina Militare, 217 and 82 "Shadow" watch

[lapince]

This post is from the very excited, practically in a transe, and incredibly proud owner of my No 1 and 2 "most wanted" Panerai wish list, I purchased today 2 watches, the 217 Marina Militare destro, the 2005 limited edition of 1000 pieces, which I think everyone here knows, but more interesting is the Pam 82 Marina Militare shadow case watch from year 2000, here is the definition of Panerai Shadow watches:

"It became Panerai practice not to create a prototype series that were numbered. Although the Panerai family did number their prototypes, the Panerai company changed this practice when Richemont took over the family company. In the first couple of years under new ownership, the company would create a new model (most were similar to pre vendome models) and make a handful of these watches. It is said that 4 to 12 pieces of a new model were made. These pieces were shown at "new product development meetings". They were given to executives within the company, one of the few authorized dealers or important collectors.

These Shadow models did not have a Series number inscribed on the back.
Regular production model watches have three lines of serial numbers engraved on the case back of locking crown models, and in the corners of the radiomir case watches. You will find an OP number, the BB serial number and the series number. The series number has the series Letter and the number that particular piece is out of the total made. So a regular production B series watch would have engraved B0844/1500. Meaning the watch was a B series from the year 2001 and this was the 844 piece made out of the total 1500 Units made in that year.

Since the Shadow model was not part of the regular production, it was not given a series number and often did not have a box or paperwork."

So in a way the "shadow" watches are rarer than limited editions, and to be honest I don't like very much the normal Pam 82 with the engraving on the back. Of course you don't get the usual stuff you get with a regular or limited edition, so no box, screwdriver and all the rest, in my case it came with the box from Panerai service center, and warranty card.

What is your opinion about these "shadow" watches?

I am now the very, very happy owner of 4 Pams, the 233 dot version K series, the 28 (but this one will soon be sold, to put my finances back on their feet after falling for the 2 Marina Militare), the 217 and the 82.

Here are 3 photos of the beasts, that I took from the Panerai Site, I didn't put the one showing the back of the 82 since it is completely different, I will put some of the actual ones, on wrist and so on in a few days, since I went to Switzerland to buy them and will be there until saturday I didn't take my camera with me, but if you guys show interest, I know I would, I will make a photo session as soon as I am back home.

https://www.rolexforums.com/attachment.php?
attachmentid=426356&stc=1&d=1379939082

https://www.rolexforums.com/attachme...1&d=1379939082

https://www.rolexforums.com/attachme...1&d=1379939082

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[Travelller]

Originally Posted by lapince

...the 217 Marina Militare destro ... but more interesting is the Pam 82 Marina Militare shadow case watch...

Congratulations
The 217 is on my most-wanted-soonest list Thanks for the definition of this "shadow" business - I notice you mentioning it in another thread but had no idea what you were talking about... now I know

Along with the 233, I'd say you've achieved instant envy status with your Panerai collection

[Cru Jones]

interesting background on the shadow pieces. thanks! lovely watches, too, of course.

[lapince]

Thanks guys, I promise photos of the actual watches as soon as I can.
Here are threads of a few shadow pieces I saw on sites, like this you can take a look:

https://www.chrono24.com/en/panerai/...gFromRewrite=1

http://www.watches.de/en/products/of...e-pam55-shadow

http://www.watchuwant.com/watches/pa...rare-hard-find

And on this one the 4th watch, the 87 is also a "shadow" watch.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/fs-...re-367058.html

Some show photos of the back of the watch, if you compare them with the back of regular watches there is no series number, of course the most notable difference is on the back of my 82 where the regular special limited edition has an engraving of the italian schoolship Amerigo Vespucci.

Photos of my shadow and my 217 soon to come, and of course the 233, even if everyone knows it, for the 28 since I am going to sell it no use to put photos, it will soon no longer be part of my collection, it's a nice watch but can't afford to keep it after the Marina Militare purchases...