Differences between 1523 and 1499

[chloebear]

These appear to be the same watch other than one is 42 and the other is 44mm. Does anyone know the difference in thickness between the two? Any other differences to be aware of?

My gut says to go for the 44 as Panerai’s are supposed to be big and bold, but I’d love some feedback between the two sizes.

Thanks,

Mike

44mm



42mm



42mm vs my Explorer 2




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[chloebear]

The cool thing with going 44 is that would give my collection 4 different sizes.

Panerai - 44mm
Explorer 2 - 42mm
Milgauss - 40mm
Railmaster - 39mm

[Cru Jones]

They have the same movement, so my guess is that the thickness is the same.

Main differences are size (44 v 42), lug size (24 v 22) and water resistance (300 meters v 100 meters).

[chloebear]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm surprised I can't find the thickness listed anywhere.

What are your thoughts on the two sizes? Honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference when I tried them on at the boutique, but a few minutes at the boutique is not the same as wearing one day-in and day-out.

[Saoirse32]

I have the 1499. I felt like it was the “proper” size for a PAM and I was/am a newbie. I did the same when I purchased my 1305 instead of the 682...was underwhelmed with the 42 for my 7inch wrist. Sláinte!

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by Saoirse32

I have the 1499. I felt like it was the “proper” size for a PAM and I was/am a newbie. I did the same when I purchased my 1305 instead of the 682...was underwhelmed with the 42 for my 7inch wrist. Sláinte!

I tend to agree that 44mm just works better for Panerai. I'm so used to Rolex that the number 44 sounds huge. I guess it goes to show there is more to a watch size then the number.

I'm almost certainly going to go with the 1499. How are you liking it so far? Does it get a lot of wrist time in your rotation?

[Saoirse32]

Interesting enough, it was my first PAM. Lots of help and advice from the forum when I was planning to buy and flip for a small profit. No way now. I’d say it and my 1305 get the majority of the wrist time. I’d love to add a green dialed one someday...


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[Bgator]

Originally Posted by chloebear

What are your thoughts on the two sizes? Honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference when I tried them on at the boutique, but a few minutes at the boutique is not the same as wearing one day-in and day-out.

I tried them on at a boutique a couple weeks ago and noticed a huge size difference.

The 42mm seemed perfectly proportioned for my wrist. It is something that I could wear casually (but still with the Pam vibe) and yet reasonable enough that I could wear it at the office with business attire. The 44mm wore considerably bigger and would have to just be a weekend watch.

My wrist is about 6.25” so that obviously bears on what works for me. I’m strongly leaning toward the 1523.



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[Bgator]

By the way, I’ve been able to find one or two pics of this watch on a black strap and it really seems to change the look and feel of the watch. Those pics are scarce though.

If any members have pics of a 1523/1499 on a black strap, I’d appreciate seeing them!


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[Saoirse32]

Originally Posted by Bgator

By the way, I’ve been able to find one or two pics of this watch on a black strap and it really seems to change the look and feel of the watch. Those pics are scarce though.

If any members have pics of a 1523/1499 on a black strap, I’d appreciate seeing them!


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Here you go! Sláinte.



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[Bgator]

Thanks!

This watch seems completely different on the black vs brown straps.

The brown straps really bring out the patina and blue second hand while the black de-emphasizes them and makes them more accents.


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[chloebear]

Doesn't even look like the same watch on a black strap.

Thanks for the feedback gents. Still torn which one to go with.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Doesn't even look like the same watch on a black strap.

I think that's because it's not. Notice the lume is white, rather then ecru.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I think that's because it's not. Notice the lume is white, rather then ecru.

It's just the (dark) lighting in the that picture.

Both the 1499 and 1523 have ecru lume.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Both the 1499 and 1523 have ecru lume.

I know, which was my point. The watch in Saoirse32's appears to have white lume. It even has a slight green cast, like the older style lume Panerai used on its white dials. It sure doesn't look ecru, lighting notwithstanding.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I know, which was my point. The watch in Saoirse32's appears to have white lume. It even has a slight green cast, like the older style lume Panerai used on its white dials. It sure doesn't look ecru, lighting notwithstanding.

No, it really is the lighting + the camera's color processor. The blue seconds hand tells you it's not a 499 or 523.

[JacksonStone]

The seconds hand is what's throwing me. But for that, I would have for sure said this is a 499 or 523. But if the color balance is that far off, wouldn't it also throw off the blue of the seconds hand?

I took the liberty of correcting the color balance in Photoshop; I haven't altered any of the colors relative to each other. The seconds hand still looks blue, and the lume still looks white/green. Perhaps Saoirse32 can fill us in on why his pic looks that way. I don't suppose it matters, since for all intents and purposes, it really does look like a different watch, as chloebear said, but I don't think the strap is entirely responsible for that.

[chloebear]

1499 or 1523, I am obsessed with this watch. I've got the Panerai bug bad.

[Saoirse32]

Not sure about the lighting. I took that picture this past Saturday at an event at the VFW, so not the best lighting (old fashioned hall, and used my iPhone 8 Plus). It’s for sure a 1499 purchased new from Torneau this past Fall. I will say the black rubber changes the look completely, plus I was impatient trying to break in the other strap.

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The seconds hand is what's throwing me. But for that, I would have for sure said this is a 499 or 523. But if the color balance is that far off, wouldn't it also throw off the blue of the seconds hand?

I took the liberty of correcting the color balance in Photoshop; I haven't altered any of the colors relative to each other. The seconds hand still looks blue, and the lume still looks white/green. Perhaps Saoirse32 can fill us in on why his pic looks that way. I don't suppose it matters, since for all intents and purposes, it really does look like a different watch, as chloebear said, but I don't think the strap is entirely responsible for that.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Saoirse32

Not sure about the lighting. I took that picture this past Saturday at an event at the VFW, so not the best lighting (old fashioned hall, and used my iPhone 8 Plus). It’s for sure a 1499 purchased new from Torneau this past Fall. I will say the black rubber changes the look completely, plus I was impatient trying to break in the other strap.

Fair enough. Thanks for the info.

[Saoirse32]

Also the entire inside of the VFW is white painted brick, which may account for the weird lighting...

Originally Posted by Saoirse32

Not sure about the lighting. I took that picture this past Saturday at an event at the VFW, so not the best lighting (old fashioned hall, and used my iPhone 8 Plus). It’s for sure a 1499 purchased new from Torneau this past Fall. I will say the black rubber changes the look completely, plus I was impatient trying to break in the other strap.

[Uppersouth]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The seconds hand is what's throwing me. But for that, I would have for sure said this is a 499 or 523. But if the color balance is that far off, wouldn't it also throw off the blue of the seconds hand?

I took the liberty of correcting the color balance in Photoshop; I haven't altered any of the colors relative to each other. The seconds hand still looks blue, and the lume still looks white/green. Perhaps Saoirse32 can fill us in on why his pic looks that way. I don't suppose it matters, since for all intents and purposes, it really does look like a different watch, as chloebear said, but I don't think the strap is entirely responsible for that.

The lume color definitely changes given the light available.



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[Faustomiami]

I think looks great on the panerai rubber strap