Wham, Bam, Double Pam - Incoming!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Well, I set out with Mrs Van D this afternoon to the Singapore Panerai boutique, deposits paid on a 533 and 312. Have I brought those two watches home tonight? Er, no. So what did I come with? Read on........

[Ruud Van Driver]

And there's more..........

[Ruud Van Driver]

689, boutique only, and the first one to hit Singapore plus a 359. Unfortunately no discount on the 689 but there was on the 359. However, I was given plenty of goodies including two passport covers, two pouches, two travel cases and two straps.

They also know it's my birthday next week. After I'd finally decided which references I wanted, they invited us out back while they 'sorted a few things out'. Out we go to a bottle of prosecco and this...........

I've had some pretty excellent service in various establishments over the years but this was something else.

[Moving Chicane]

Very nice - Enjoy (and save me some cake!)!!!

[Cru Jones]

that's quite a change from the initial plan! but, i think you've done well with both! the blue of the 689 is stunning (a 533 with a twist) and the arabics + all-polished 1950s case of the 359 is very attractive.

major congrats!! and after the recent hospital stay, they must feel extra good. continued healing and enjoy these two new beauties.

[Speed]

Beats the heck out of a Diet Coke!

Well done. You certainly jumped in with both feet - and wrists! 😂

Enjoy the Panerais!

[Ian Macdermott]

Congratuations.

Hand delivered by my valet

[Babolat]

Wow big congrats !!!!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

that's quite a change from the initial plan! but, i think you've done well with both! the blue of the 689 is stunning (a 533 with a twist) and the arabics + all-polished 1950s case of the 359 is very attractive.

major congrats!! and after the recent hospital stay, they must feel extra good. continued healing and enjoy these two new beauties.

Many thanks, Cru

It was a bit of a change of plan. I never saw that coming when we headed into town!

The 689 was a major surprise, my man at the AD said that I had no chance of getting one when I asked him a few weeks ago. Never mind, thought I, I love the 533 so no big deal. Thing is, photographs do not do that blue dial justice, it really is incredible. I took it outside for a good look in the afternoon sun. You have an LVc Cru, so you know exactly what I mean when I say that dial pops. The sunburst effect is pretty amazing. It's not going to be everyone's bag and I'm ok with that. I'm gonna be wearing it, not everyone else

The only minor concern I have with the 689 is that there are very few straps that will work with that watch. I've picked a shocking baby blue croc; sounds gross but looks amazing. They didn't have my size in stock but it'll be there next week when we get back from wherever Mrs Van D is taking me tomorrow

I preferred the 359 to the 312 anyway but it was too similar to the 533 so it was no point getting it. Once I'd set on the 689, the 359 was a no brainer

Originally Posted by Speed

Beats the heck out of a Diet Coke!

Well done. You certainly jumped in with both feet - and wrists! 😂

Enjoy the Panerais!

Many thanks, Speed

I don't see the point of doing things by half. It'd be like having a partial circumcision - pointless. Either go all the way or don't bother!

[Psmith]

Congrats!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Many thanks, Cru

It was a bit of a change of plan. I never saw that coming when we headed into town!

The 689 was a major surprise, my man at the AD said that I had no chance of getting one when I asked him a few weeks ago. Never mind, thought I, I love the 533 so no big deal. Thing is, photographs do not do that blue dial justice, it really is incredible. I took it outside for a good look in the afternoon sun. You have an LVc Cru, so you know exactly what I mean when I say that dial pops. The sunburst effect is pretty amazing. It's not going to be everyone's bag and I'm ok with that. I'm gonna be wearing it, not everyone else

The only minor concern I have with the 689 is that there are very few straps that will work with that watch. I've picked a shocking baby blue croc; sounds gross but looks amazing. They didn't have my size in stock but it'll be there next week when we get back from wherever Mrs Van D is taking me tomorrow

I preferred the 359 to the 312 anyway but it was too similar to the 533 so it was no point getting it. Once I'd set on the 689, the 359 was a no brainer

i like your style.

as for straps, no rush, take your time and see. i do think the 689 be a bit more of a challenge, but, with that dial, it's worth it! anyway, the focus should rightly be on the 689's dial, so i think you can get a couple of solid choices for the 689 and branch out a bit more, style-wise, with the 359.

consider reaching out to john at dangerous9. he will surely have some truly amazing ideas for you.

if you are like most, you will go through a period of "strap frenzy" before you settle on the type of straps and buckles you like. it's all part of the fun.

[kaiserphoenix]

Hey congrats, I am also next in line to get the 689 when its my boutique :) Love to hear more experiences regarding it and if you can post a review too would really appreicate it! I agree 533 is also super nice.

Also is the lume Ecru lume or standard lume?

[brandrea]

Fantastic!!! You've really embraced the brand

Both are gorgeous! Big congratulations to you and kudos to the AD, that cake looks delicious

[ManUtd]

Wow, huge congrats and advanced happy birthday!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

i like your style.



as for straps, no rush, take your time and see. i do think the 689 be a bit more of a challenge, but, with that dial, it's worth it! anyway, the focus should rightly be on the 689's dial, so i think you can get a couple of solid choices for the 689 and branch out a bit more, style-wise, with the 359.



consider reaching out to john at dangerous9. he will surely have some truly amazing ideas for you.



if you are like most, you will go through a period of "strap frenzy" before you settle on the type of straps and buckles you like. it's all part of the fun.

Cru is right on about the strap frenzy. I tend to favor a small # of my collection. Basic back and brown. 😆

Note that dangerous 9 straps will take going on 16 weeks at present. If you are impatient, there are a few other craftsmen referenced on this site.

Toshi straps are leather - simple / thick - and not as expensive as some. Dangerous 9 does exotic skins - and leather. Horuss and Ted Su does skins...I'm sure others will chime in with more.

[nick c]

Amazing choices congrats x2

[Coffes4closers]

Wow.... Congratulations! That 689 looks amazing in pictures! I have yet to see it in the flesh, but am anxious to. Does the dial have a very pronounced "sunburst" effect? Similar to the 605? In the picture, it certainly looks that way, but it's always hard to tell. Thanks!

[Zyfon]

Huge congrats. They're both beautiful.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Well, I set out with Mrs Van D this afternoon to the Singapore Panerai boutique, deposits paid on a 533 and 312. Have I brought those two watches home tonight? Er, no. So what did I come with? Read on........

Great pick ups ! I'm a sucker for a blue face. Enjoy a great day for you

[Randy]

Congrats on the 689!! Blue dial rocks!!

[ap1]

Awesome double incoming. I'd slap that asso strap on the blue one - should look amazing

[PanosI]

Big Congrats !
Great references !

[ocwatching]

wow..double BOOM!
congrats...gotta love it

[red1108nyc]

Great stuff! Congrats and happy birthday!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

Hey congrats, I am also next in line to get the 689 when its my boutique :) Love to hear more experiences regarding it and if you can post a review too would really appreicate it! I agree 533 is also super nice.

Also is the lume Ecru lume or standard lume?

The lume looks ecru to me but it's a lot more subtle against the blue dial and gold hands

Another photo below; as I said above though, no photo does it justice. Well, not when you're photographically inept like me anyway

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

i like your style.

as for straps, no rush, take your time and see. i do think the 689 be a bit more of a challenge, but, with that dial, it's worth it! anyway, the focus should rightly be on the 689's dial, so i think you can get a couple of solid choices for the 689 and branch out a bit more, style-wise, with the 359.

consider reaching out to john at dangerous9. he will surely have some truly amazing ideas for you.

if you are like most, you will go through a period of "strap frenzy" before you settle on the type of straps and buckles you like. it's all part of the fun.

I blame your enabling for the double purchase, Cru

I'm more than happy with the couple of freebies that I have for now but I'm thinking of changing the brown back for the standard black because I hear that the tan will turn dark brown anyway. That said, I'm loving Speed's black lizard skin I will most certainly give John a shout when I'm back from our break and see what he comes up with

Originally Posted by Speed

Cru is right on about the strap frenzy. I tend to favor a small # of my collection. Basic back and brown. 😆

Note that dangerous 9 straps will take going on 16 weeks at present. If you are impatient, there are a few other craftsmen referenced on this site.

Toshi straps are leather - simple / thick - and not as expensive as some. Dangerous 9 does exotic skins - and leather. Horuss and Ted Su does skins...I'm sure others will chime in with more.

After seeing your black lizard skin and the blog, I'm fairly set on Dangerous 9. I'm not one to change my mind, me. Ahem

Originally Posted by Coffes4closers

Wow.... Congratulations! That 689 looks amazing in pictures! I have yet to see it in the flesh, but am anxious to. Does the dial have a very pronounced "sunburst" effect? Similar to the 605? In the picture, it certainly looks that way, but it's always hard to tell. Thanks!

The sunburst is pretty awesome. Mine is the only blue dial that I've seen so can't compare but it's right up there with my LVc


Thank you all for the well wishes. I'll try write something resembling a review when I've lived with it for a while

[BigAl72]

Congratulations! That blue dial is something else. How was the cake?

[93 Turbo]

Wow and huge congrats, great CS in Singapore. Whatever you've been doing pre & post your medical procedure keep it up, looking good. J

[Speed]

Nice close up on the blue. Have not seen one in person - yet.

Good to know you like Dangerous 9. As Cru says, John is great to work with.

Man, I have not been to Singapore in years. Would like to take the family sometime while on an Asia trip. Chili Crab...Drunken Prawns...the food courts.

And, the watches of course!

[kilyung]

Beautiful watch and happy birthday!!

[travisb]

Double congrats! The 689 looks terrific and I've always liked the 359 too.
Happy Birthday!