164 - quick strap?

[Cru Jones]

I was surprised to find out the other day that the 88 had the quick strap change system. I thought only the 1950 case models had that...

Anyone know if the 164 is quick strap?

TIA....

[marcinthemiddle]

Hey Cru!
I think a lot of the more recent Luminor cases (K and up) are coming equipped with the 'quick change' system.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by marcinthemiddle

Hey Cru!
I think a lot of the more recent Luminor cases (K and up) are coming equipped with the 'quick change' system.

Thanks.

Does that include the historics? As in, could new 111s be expected to come with the quick change system?

[sgmgolf]

Hey Cru-

Newbie here. I just signed up today. I own a 164 and it does have the quick
release bars for strap changing. I am a big fan of the 164, I really like it. I originally owned a 24 but traded for the 164. It was between that and an 88.
I liked the cleaner more classic dial of the 164 over the 88!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by sgmgolf

Hey Cru-

Newbie here. I just signed up today. I own a 164 and it does have the quick
release bars for strap changing. I am a big fan of the 164, I really like it. I originally owned a 24 but traded for the 164. It was between that and an 88.
I liked the cleaner more classic dial of the 164 over the 88!

Thanks for your reply.

It's interesting, since, at least on Panerai's Web site, it looks like the 164 still features the old "non-quick" style change system (at least, it looks like it to me (a PAM newbie), since it doesn't have the little buttons on the back of the lugs).

Maybe it's a very recent change?

Back of 164:




Vs. back of 88 and 312:

[marcinthemiddle]

There you go. The 312 now comes with a brushed metal/saphhire caseback as opposed to the shiny/sapphire back from before....The historics will now.come with the quick-change I believe.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by marcinthemiddle

....The historics will now.come with the quick-change I believe.

hmmmm...maybe this is the reason the boutique in paris said they were told by HQ to expect very few historics this year? maybe they're in the process of switching over all luminor production to quick-change, thereby causing a hiccup in supply?

i'd love to know for certain if the 111 or 164 were about to switch to quick change, as that would encourage me to wait....only thing to do in the meantime would be to decide between the two.

[marcinthemiddle]

Call the boutique and confirm if they are changing, which I'm. 99.88% sure they are. Can't go wrong with a 111.

[sgmgolf]

I can't be sure about the 111 but my 164 is a K series purchased in 09/09 and that case has the quick release bars. Not sure how old those pics are you posted of the 164 with the old screw in bars?

[marcinthemiddle]

Hey Cru-
Just spoke to my guy Alex at Panerai NYC-
The newest "M" series 111 still has the older screw in strap sysytem. Sorry, my bad.

[sgmgolf]

Cru-

There you have it. 111 still has screw in bars for straps. Not sure when they made the change for the 164. Surprised they didn't change over the 111 at the same time. I am a date guy so the 164 was the easy choice for me.
Either way you can't go wrong, both are great timepieces!

Good luck on your decision. It is never easy, too many beautiful watches to choose from.

[Cru Jones]

Thanks for the follow up, gentlemen. It would pain me to see the 111 go quick change after I pick one up, since I'm so uncoordinated, LOL. First step is to try them both on and see, I suppose.

Thanks again.

[marcinthemiddle]

Hey Cru- ever think of an in-house movement PAM?

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by marcinthemiddle

Hey Cru- ever think of an in-house movement PAM?

To be honest, tried and true modified-ETA or in-house works for me. Number one for me is the design and how it sits on my wrist (since quality, movement-wise, is a given - Swiss is Swiss, right?). My first PAM "love" was the 312, but I've found that the Luminor cases fit my wrist much better than the 1950 cases....and, from what I can tell, to go in-house with PAM, I'd have to go 1950 or Rad (and I am not in the Rad market at this time).

[marcinthemiddle]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

To be honest, tried and true modified-ETA or in-house works for me. Number one for me is the design and how it sits on my wrist (since quality, movement-wise, is a given - Swiss is Swiss, right?). My first PAM "love" was the 312, but I've found that the Luminor cases fit my wrist much better than the 1950 cases....and, from what I can tell, to go in-house with PAM, I'd have to go 1950 or Rad (and I am not in the Rad market at this time).

I finally got and am smitten with my 312. Funny thing- the 1950's case fits me much better than the Luminor case.... good luck on your search my friend! À bientôt!

[Cru Jones]

Update: I just tried on the 164 and LoVeD it! The brushed steel, the numbers on the dial, the nice balance between the seconds hand dial and the date....even the strap looked great. The salesman showed me how the quick change system works....very nice.

Problem: I still haven't seen or tried on the 111, and I thought that was "the one"....but, at least in pictures, I don't see the same balance in the watch between the seconds hand dial and the dial and the crown guard.....

Problem 2: prices go up 300 euro on April 1 on the 164...and there is zero visibility on when a 111 will be available.....

Do I wait to "make sure"? Go for it? Anyone have a similar struggle?

[marcinthemiddle]

Go for the 164- you'll be very happy!

[sgmgolf]

I'm with Marc on this one!! I am biased though, I own a 164!! You will not regret. I enjoy my 164 more and more everyday. I originally bought it to wear from time to time as the 16610 Sub is my daily road warrior. I have to admit, more recently I wear the 164 as much as the Sub. Unlike some of the hard core Paneristis I actually like and enjoy the cyclops embedded into the sapphire crystal face. I know it is not as "clean" looking as the 111, the true Panerai look. But, I do like that the face is smooth and the cyclops is not like a bubble on the Sub, just something a little different.
Cru- best thing is you can change it's shoes as often as you like!! I use the rubber strap as much as the brown croc. And I have already purchased a nice chestnut brown leather strap and black croc! That is the problem with purchasing a Pam..........then you start strap shopping!!! It is all fun and worthwhile!
Anyway, I give a big thumbs up for a 164 purchase! Good luck!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by marcinthemiddle

Go for the 164- you'll be very happy!

enabler!!

Originally Posted by sgmgolf

I'm with Marc on this one!! I am biased though, I own a 164!! You will not regret. I enjoy my 164 more and more everyday. I originally bought it to wear from time to time as the 16610 Sub is my daily road warrior. I have to admit, more recently I wear the 164 as much as the Sub. Unlike some of the hard core Paneristis I actually like and enjoy the cyclops embedded into the sapphire crystal face. I know it is not as "clean" looking as the 111, the true Panerai look. But, I do like that the face is smooth and the cyclops is not like a bubble on the Sub, just something a little different.
Cru- best thing is you can change it's shoes as often as you like!! I use the rubber strap as much as the brown croc. And I have already purchased a nice chestnut brown leather strap and black croc! That is the problem with purchasing a Pam..........then you start strap shopping!!! It is all fun and worthwhile!
Anyway, I give a big thumbs up for a 164 purchase! Good luck!

thanks VERY much for your thoughts....glad to see another happy 164 owner, since, it seems, the "hard core" pareristis are all about the "classic" PAM dial.

would you happen to have any pix you chould share? how does it look on the lighter brown strap? and the black? the boutique salesman is a big fan of the 164 on the standard brown strap, but, was less thrilled with the idea of a JV or black strap....LOL. not sure what his angle was....

i made the "mistake" of asking my five-year old whether he liked the 111 or 164 in the catalogue.....he chose the 111. grrrrrr....

[Cru Jones]

update: just called to set up my second and final visit with the 164. it was sold yesterday....and price increases tomorrow.

[Cru Jones]

another update!

another AD in paris is offering me a 164 at full price post-april 1 price-increase, but with two OEM straps for free.

is this a good deal??

[sgmgolf]

Cru-

Not sure what the market is like in Paris? I actually bought my 164 from a highly reputable watch broker. He listed it as pre-owned BUT 99% LNIB all papers, certs, boxes etc etc. and I saved $1000 off retail price. The watch is basically brand new. Couldn't even see any wear on the strap! Not sure if this helps you or not. If you are going the road of the AD then you may have to pay full retail depending on supply and demand. Good luck!