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Old 7 February 2020, 04:52 AM   #1
Ace775
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PAM 1033 vs PAM 233 advice.

Hi fellow members , I have adored Panerai watches for the longest time and was planning to acquire one this year . I have tried certain watches at AD’s and some of them I loved were way too big for me ( 372 and equation of time ) . I recently came across 1033 and 233 . Tried both and loved both of them. Being offered the 233 ( am/pm ) version for 9850$ after discount and 6150$ for 1033. I intend to wear the watch and have no intention of flipping so just wanted to ask long term , what seems like a logical choice . I am new to Panerai so just trying to get some basic info about buying a Panerai from you guys . Really appreciate your help . Also is the 1033 blue dial similar to the 689/690 ?
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Old 7 February 2020, 05:51 AM   #2
ASW1
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A great quandary. I would say that you'll be happy with either, and in true Panerai fashion, both in time ;)

The 233 will lie a bit flatter has manual wind, 8 day movement, and beautiful domed crystal.

1033 gives you stunning blue dial, 3 day auto.

They both give you power reserve indicator, GMT, date, crystal vase back and fast change strap mechanism.

Pro for 233 the crystal - IMO far better than a flatter one. And, the movement.

Pro for 1033, dial is a beaut, convenience of auto and cheaper.

The 233 is classic, the 1033 modern classic.

Given price difference I would maybe start with the 1033, and in time consider a 233 in addition.

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Old 7 February 2020, 08:24 AM   #3
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233 + 690.....problem solved.
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Old 7 February 2020, 10:44 AM   #4
Ace775
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Originally Posted by ASW1 View Post
A great quandary. I would say that you'll be happy with either, and in true Panerai fashion, both in time ;)

The 233 will lie a bit flatter has manual wind, 8 day movement, and beautiful domed crystal.

1033 gives you stunning blue dial, 3 day auto.

They both give you power reserve indicator, GMT, date, crystal vase back and fast change strap mechanism.

Pro for 233 the crystal - IMO far better than a flatter one. And, the movement.

Pro for 1033, dial is a beaut, convenience of auto and cheaper.

The 233 is classic, the 1033 modern classic.

Given price difference I would maybe start with the 1033, and in time consider a 233 in addition.

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Hey , really appreciate your detailed response on this. Its the exact same reasoning given by you which led to this confusion as I read more and more about Panerai.

Both the watches look and feel amazing on the wrist. The blue on 1033 is stunning and the 233 being a classic make this choice extremely tough. Of course i would love to have both. I might just take up your advise and pick up the 1033 and try it on a dark brown gator strap. For black dial i will do with the BLRO i picked up recently. Appreciate your help. cheers.
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Old 7 February 2020, 10:47 AM   #5
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233 + 690.....problem solved.
If only
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Old 7 February 2020, 01:43 PM   #6
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233 is the perfect Pam IMO.
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Old 7 February 2020, 01:49 PM   #7
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I'm also currently debating between those 2. I already own a 111, so the 1033 would likely provide more variety with my 111 than the 233. However, it pains me because I definitely like the 233 more and i'm worried if I get it, I may never wear the 111 lol.

In short, definitely the 233.
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Old 7 February 2020, 02:16 PM   #8
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I really like the dot dial , cant find it anywhere at the ADs. The am/pm dial is nice too. Its actually such a hard choice, the only reason I might opt for 1033 would be price or else 233 is a no brainer. literally pulling my hair on this one. Was thinking for blue I can get the Datejust or try my luck for a AP RO.
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Old 7 February 2020, 03:17 PM   #9
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233 is an absolute Panerai classic now and will remain so for years to come.
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Old 7 February 2020, 04:40 PM   #10
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233 dot is the original. Am/pm model came a few years later and is still current. Here’s my first year model, within first 800 made.
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Old 7 February 2020, 09:24 PM   #11
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I prefer the 233. The domed crystal is great.
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Old 7 February 2020, 11:31 PM   #12
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Thanks a lot for your input guys. Will update this in a few weeks time with my purchase. I think 233 will be worth the extra $$. Cheers
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Old 8 February 2020, 12:02 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
233 + 690.....problem solved.

Brilliant !

233 is absolutely beautiful, great, classic, a Panerai we used to love...I love it !
1033, love the blue dial too.
After that, it's all about taste...be sure you can't go wrong with these two !
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Old 8 February 2020, 04:36 PM   #14
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I prefer the 233....but only the dot 233
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Old 8 February 2020, 10:32 PM   #15
PutneyBridge
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Hi!

I have both the 233 and 1033.

The 233 has rightly a lot of love on this forum - a classic Panerai that goes well with many straps.

The 1033 is wonderful in its own right - that beautiful blue is something.

Go with whatever you like!
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Old 9 February 2020, 04:12 AM   #16
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You mentioned the Equation of Time. It does feel big in a shop, but day to day it's very wearable. I only have 6.8 inch wrists.

See this post where you can see how a 233 wears on me (and other Panerai) https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...S-45mm-vs-47mm

And here is the 670 https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...of-Time-PAM670

On the wrist not a lot in it, and with the 670 being titanium it's lighter to wear and less shiny on the wrist.

Hope this doesn't throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

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Old 9 February 2020, 01:35 PM   #17
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The 670 is a beautiful reference . It's the first panerai I had ever tried on my wrist. The only reason I didn't pick up was coz the wife was adamant it was too big on my wrist , as far as I was concerned I was okay with the size. That blue dial and gold hands is to die for.
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Old 9 February 2020, 01:36 PM   #18
Ace775
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PutneyBridge View Post
Hi!

I have both the 233 and 1033.

The 233 has rightly a lot of love on this forum - a classic Panerai that goes well with many straps.

The 1033 is wonderful in its own right - that beautiful blue is something.

Go with whatever you like!
Is the blue similar to 688/689/690 ? Or is it a different shade of blue ?
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Old 9 February 2020, 07:42 PM   #19
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loving my blue!




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Old 9 February 2020, 08:38 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace775 View Post
The 670 is a beautiful reference . It's the first panerai I had ever tried on my wrist. The only reason I didn't pick up was coz the wife was adamant it was too big on my wrist , as far as I was concerned I was okay with the size. That blue dial and gold hands is to die for.
I used to only wear Rolex sports watches, and progressed via the 233 to only wearing Panerai, including 47mm.

One day when I dug out my Hulk (bearing in mind green is my wife's favourite colour) her first comment was "What's with wearing that girls watch?'

Maybe start with a 233 and in time progress to the 670 ;)

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Old 10 February 2020, 12:46 AM   #21
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Buy it preowned! New Panerai is a suckers game. Take that money you saved and put it towards the next timepiece.
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Old 10 February 2020, 02:24 AM   #22
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Both watches are excellent offerings from Panerai (which in my opinion is trying to do too much at the moment). The 233 is a classic and wears unlike any other Panerai. The 1033 has that beautiful blue dial that you are aware of. I have been looking at both models as well. I will probably go with the 1033 because my collection lacks a blue dial, but if I were to have one Panerai the 233 is the one I would easily choose.
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Old 11 February 2020, 03:07 PM   #23
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Get the PAM 233 and call it a day. Flat on the wrist and 8 days power reserve is plenty. GL!
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Old 11 February 2020, 10:13 PM   #24
Ace775
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Thanks guys , I think 233 seems to be the sensible choice here . Will update the thread in a couple of weeks once I get back on land !
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Old 24 February 2020, 09:06 AM   #25
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6150$ for 1033... please pm me where as my ad can't come close to that.
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Old 15 May 2020, 05:47 AM   #26
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Buy it preowned! New Panerai is a suckers game. Take that money you saved and put it towards the next timepiece.
Excellent advice, and for some this will be the perfect route into Panerai ownership.

However, the only problem is that for some being the first to own, the first to put a scratch on it, the first mark on the strap is important, so they have to buy new as they want first owner bragging rights. Not forgetting an eight year guarantee for new watches.

I am going through the prospective Panerai ownership dilemma at the moment and this is one of the issues I have to consider.
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Old 8 October 2020, 07:13 AM   #27
Ace775
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Hello folks , been really long since I updated my thread. I finally pulled the trigger on the PAM 233 , watch will be there in a few weeks time , lotta delays for obvious reasons . Got a brand new one at the AD for 9100$ and got to put my name for a sub date , will again update once I have it on my wrist , cheers !

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Old 8 October 2020, 07:54 AM   #28
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Hello folks , been really long since I updated my thread. I finally pulled the trigger on the PAM 233 , watch will be there in a few weeks time , lotta delays for obvious reasons . Got a brand new one at the AD for 9100$ and got to put my name for a sub date , will again update once I have it on my wrist , cheers !

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A great decision. Congratulations, you can't go wrong with that.

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Old 11 October 2020, 12:07 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace775 View Post
Hello folks , been really long since I updated my thread. I finally pulled the trigger on the PAM 233 , watch will be there in a few weeks time , lotta delays for obvious reasons . Got a brand new one at the AD for 9100$ and got to put my name for a sub date , will again update once I have it on my wrist , cheers !

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Congrats. Wear it in the best of health.
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Old 11 October 2020, 01:33 AM   #30
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233 for sure (I have the red gold 289 )

Not interested in 4 digit PAMs .
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