PAM ref. 338 Titanium

[adam78]

I didn't really anticipate this purchase, being a mostly vintage Rolex, Omega, Hamilton-sort-of-collector, but fell in love with it after a long trip to Tuscany last week (actually I had tried on the rose gold version, and that of the 42mm Radiomir 1940, in Firenze). I ended up in Boca Raton over the weekend, and paid a visit to the Panerai boutique...

The 42mm size is perfect for my medium-small (6.75") wrist. I couldn't really wear one of the larger PAMs. Being thin and very light, it's extremely comfortable. And I love the O.E.M. honey alligator strap that the salesman threw into the deal. Much better suited to the watch than the glossy black one that comes with it, IMO.

The cal. P.999/1 is keeping perfect time so far.





Here's a lume shot!

[Cru Jones]

so classy, discrete and beautiful.

[mborkow]

looks great!

[Thatguy]

Very nice. I like the way the Ti looks!

[One Ping Only]

Nice, I really enjoy mine. And you are right, the tan gator looks great!

[jvo300]

Congrats! I have fond memories of mine, but traded for larger sizes. It looks like you have a JV strap which is a suede texture. Over time it will darken with use as seen below (on my departed 338).

[subtona]

Beautiful watch.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by jvo300

Congrats! I have fond memories of mine, but traded for larger sizes. It looks like you have a JV strap which is a suede texture. Over time it will darken with use as seen below (on my departed 338).
i/c1296e36.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks! The strap is nubuck, according to the AD, so you appear to be correct that it's a JV. Would it be genuine croc or alligator, despite not being marked as such? Sure looks like it is. It is only marked Officine Panerai and cucito a mano.

By the way, this 25/20 strap size is much less ubiquitous.

[nishant]

Thats a neat timepiece .. Well done.

[ttrq01]

I have one of these as well. I really like how light the Ti feels. Picked up an OEM brown croc which also looks great. It's a really nice dress watch to hide under your shirt cuff. Mine also keeps perfect time...seems like the movement is rock solid. My first experience with a mechanical watch and I've gotten used to needing to wind it.

[Hairdude1]

Congrats! Looks great

[adam78]

Here is a pic of the movement, and a brief several-second movie of the movement running.



(Click on it for the link to open in another window)


And a better lume shot!

[Mystro]

What's not to like?????? Great score. It is especially nice the way it spoke to you.

[kenli729]

Hi Adam,
Is that a 25/20 sized strap? Didn't realize they made JVs in that size. Looks amazing and congrats.

Mine says hi.

[Travelller]

Congrats on a very nice-looking PAM, sir! I prefer my PAMs a little larger, but would love to own a P.999 based PAM

Enjoy!

[adam78]

Originally Posted by kenli729

Hi Adam,
Is that a 25/20 sized strap? Didn't realize they made JVs in that size. Looks amazing and congrats.

Yes, it's a 25/20. I suppose a 24mm strap would work as well. Thanks -- yours looks great too.

[DiverAsia]

That is a sweet looking time piece and the story of how you got it is great!
Funny how some watches just speak to us.
Wear your new time piece in the best of health!
Cheers!

btw, I wear a 47mm on a 6.5 wrist, so your wrist is not small :)

[jvo300]

Originally Posted by adam78

Thanks! The strap is nubuck, according to the AD, so you appear to be correct that it's a JV. Would it be genuine croc or alligator, despite not being marked as such? Sure looks like it is. It is only marked Officine Panerai and cucito a mano.

By the way, this 25/20 strap size is much less ubiquitous.

I believe that it is genuine alligator. Good to hear they have the 25 size now. I had to put mine on a 24/22 a couple years ago. It worked, but not as elegant as a 25/20.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by DiverAsia

btw, I wear a 47mm on a 6.5 wrist, so your wrist is not small :)

You have to understand, it took awhile for me to get to 42mm. I'm more used to wearing watches like this:

30mm

[Nicekettle]

Are you sure that's a 25/20 strap ?
I thought that all the 25/20 radiomirs used the "stirrup" buckle and had the small round pin holes as opposed to big round or ovals and it looks a bit "squeezed in" compared with the photo of the kenli729 338?

[adam78]

Originally Posted by Nicekettle

Are you sure that's a 25/20 strap ?
I thought that all the 25/20 radiomirs used the "stirrup" buckle and had the small round pin holes as opposed to big round or ovals and it looks a bit "squeezed in" compared with the photo of the kenli729 338?

It might be a 26/20 strap -- it's hard to measure the difference now that it's installed, with pressure on the ends from the wire lugs.

The nubuck strap was given to me by the boutique salesperson after he measured the original.

This is what the original black alligator strap looked like, installed. The buckle was transferred from the black to the nubuck strap.

[One Ping Only]

The new one looks a tad wider, but it still looks great!

[Nicekettle]

They have a 27/20 BA Alligator Gold Nubuck
MX005FP5

I am thinking it is that?
I have the 338 also with some 27/20 straps.I would like a JV,but will wait.
Yours looks great and should gain a nice patina.

[adam78]

Gosh, I don't think it's that wide, I was thinking 26mm...If 27mm, it really is smushed! But, miraculously, it still looks fine...

[DiverAsia]

I'd wear the heck out of that watch as well if I owned it!
Dig that dial!
cheers!

Originally Posted by adam78

You have to understand, it took awhile for me to get to 42mm. I'm more used to wearing watches like this:

30mm

[s802487]

Adam, how is the power reserve working out for you?

[adam78]

Originally Posted by s802487

Adam, how is the power reserve working out for you?

I've been winding it every day, so it's not an issue, really. For a couple of days early on I forgot to wind it for 2 days, so it stopped after about 55 hours or so I think (stated power reserve is 60 hours). I noticed it starting to gain time a little toward the end (that's normal I think with any manual wind watch).

[s802487]

Originally Posted by adam78

I've been winding it every day, so it's not an issue, really. For a couple of days early on I forgot to wind it for 2 days, so it stopped after about 55 hours or so I think (stated power reserve is 60 hours). I noticed it starting to gain time a little toward the end (that's normal I think with any manual wind watch).

Adam, care to elaborate on what you meant by this?
I'm reading this with the understanding that the PR gets closer to factory 60hrs setting.
Pls correct me.

[adam78]

Yes, stated power reserve is 60 hours for this movement, but I believe I got a few hours less. But I did that inadvertently, and so I can't remember exactly what time it had stopped 2 days later. Maybe it was running for 57 hours -- I do remember it wasn't quite 60 hours. I suppose I can try doing this again, keeping better track of start and stop times. But if you wind it every day or two, this shouldn't be an issue. I always wind my manual winds in the morning every day.

[HL65]

Very nice!