Help please! 312 vs. 111

[johannsmit]

Guys (and of course girls), I need your help! I am brand new to the forum and to Panerai. I recently stumbled upon the brand and it was love at first sight. I got the 2009 catalogue and I am about to buy my first Pam.

So... I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a 243 submersible (I am an avid scuba diver and love the look and chunkiness of the watch, the helium valve and the fact that I could dive down to 1000 meter with her) Then I saw Chris' (username TswaneNguni) pics and realized that the 111 is a beautiful looking watch, probably a lot more dressy (and classic, timeless) and that I will never dive deeper than 50 meters and probably won't dive with the watch anyway (oh, and also, I do not have a submarine or and I am not a marine biologist that explore the depths of the oceans)

Then I saw the 312 and again I felt my heart missed a beat. What a beaut. I love the thickness of the watch and the fact that it uses the in-house manifattura movement is kinda cool. I also like the 1950's case.

So here is where I need your help! What is your opinion?? Would one of them be a better "first Panarai"? Would the one be more reliable than the other in terms of the movement? Would the one keep its value better than the other? Is the one more classic? I know I should buy the one that sings to me, but they both are singing like nightingales in stereo on the top of their voices and I am confused...

Any opinions (and I know, it is just an opinion, but if matters to you I want to hear it) would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance, I look forward to your responses!



Johann

"A man is only as big as the dreams he dares to live"

[Luddite]

You answered your own question - buy the one that made your heart skip a beat

[oyster21]

Johann, 111 and 312 is two different animals. I would suggest you to stop by at your AD and try them on your wrist. I owned 111s in the past and it's a fantastic watch. I have 312 at this moment in my collection and I'd say this 312 sits really well on my wrist.

1950 case with polished and brushed combo, slightly doomed crystal, small date window (it's sexy IMO), case thickness and a new in-house movement from Panerai, those are the winners for me.

Either way, you'll pick up a great watch. Good luck on your decision.

Several of my humble pics:







Cheers,
Eko

[Trurolexer]

Great watch, Eko!!! Very nice shots too!!!

[niels74]

Hmmm . as im a big lover of the 1950 case it would be a 312 that i would prever, what would make a good 1st pan ,, any i would think , they are both base and classic, and both wil hold value, so indeed see waht you like best put it on your wrist and see what sits ,fits , and just smiles the most .. !!! good luck

[VazLube]

Try both at AD. Remember that 312 is bit thicker than 111, and may not fit under your shirt cuffs! (common issue amongst us)

111
Handwound watch, in classic case, proven manual 3rd party movement. big seconds subdial. No date indicator. Classic strap change style with provided screwdriver.

312
Automatic inhouse movement in 1950 case. New movement. Case is thickest. cost much more than 111. Smaller second subdail, with 9 marker, date indicator. Quick strap change system.

At the end of the day, compare what you want in 111 and 312 and decide which one sings the most for you. I love both of them and I would have hard time deciding to choose, personally for first PAM, it has to be manual wound for true Panerai experience of regular winding ritual. That's my two cents.

[B. Doggy]

If you don't mind spending the extra green, go with the 312. I know I sure love mine!

[TswaneNguni]

Nothing beats winding a manual PAM

[Bebot]

Go for 312 so you can buy mine.

[TswaneNguni]

Oster21 ....Like that strap on the 312

[nepod90]

my vote goes to the 111. I was also looking at the the 312 but could not justify the extra 3k for it. I feel you get more bang for the buck IMO.

Either way you'll have a great watch.

[JF23]

Johann,

If I had to do it all over again, I think I would choose the 312. The date function alone is important for me, as mentioned above the "fiddy" case is great and easy on the eyes for sure. I really want to pick one up, but may wait for the next series in case OP changes the date setting to the "quick change" system. Also might be nice to have them work out any possible bugs in the new automatic movement, still early to say though.

Tough decision...

The 111 is great and I really enjoy the manual wind. Flip it over and watch the movement do its thing through the display back while you wind...still don't get tired of it. Whichever you choose you will come out a winner.



P.S. Thanks for the kind words about my pup in the other thread, spot on with the progression pics.

[JF23]

Forgot to mention... WELCOME!!!

We have a great little sub-forum here.

[Watch Fan]

I went for the 312 a couple of weeks ago and love it. I considered the 111, but in the end the in house movement and the beautiful new case sold me. I have worn it every day since getting it. Very comfortable. Can't stop looking at it.

[Trurolexer]

Between that two, I will go for 312.

[c2tcardin]

I went from a 111 to a 312 and haven't regretted it once!!!!!!

312 all the way.

[johannsmit]

Thank you all so much for your opinions and time, I do appreciate it. I will post my new watch pics as soon as I make up my mind...I think I have to hold them both again!

[emagni]

312. New...classic looks.....historic case....even has a date to boot. $3k more?....cost of getting it perfectly right ;-)

[bodybump]

Johhannnnnn!!!! wow its so nice to see you here in TRF!!!! I thought your going to Boca??

[Zed]

Johanne.. WELCOME to the forum... they are both great watches and equally placed., they are just diffrent cases.. i would have both... sorry not much help there but i think it is only a question of which one you get first.. coz there will be second and third.. and it goes on..

the bottonm line is, whatever you chose betweeb the two you have a winner..

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Zed

Johanne.. WELCOME to the forum... they are both great watches and equally placed., they are just diffrent cases.. i would have both... sorry not much help there but i think it is only a question of which one you get first.. coz there will be second and third.. and it goes on..

the bottonm line is, whatever you chose betweeb the two you have a winner..

My thoughts exactly !!

[Nica64]

Johanns, welcome to the forum!! get the 312 first is a great watch like everyone mention already .......... and them you get the 111 sooner or later you will start looking for another Panerai!!

[Capt.Canuck]

Not really apples to apples as the 312 is quite a bit more $.

For roughly the same money as a 312, you could buy two classic PAMs gently used - both the 111 and the 210. That's what I would do in your shoes.

[daveathall]

I have a 111 and would recommend it in a heartbeat, more dress than tool with its all over polished SS very tastefully executed, I am not that blinkered though that I cant appreciate the beauty that is the 312, the polished and brushed accents combine perfectly to delight ones visual senses whilst gazing at the differing angles of the watch. A difficult but delightful problem to solve, whichever you choose will be the correct solution.

[ram100]

Could you be so kind as to tell me where you got the brown strap, as per your photo, for the 312?

I have just bought a 328 and am looking at buying a leather strap for it.

Thanks.

[RedBaronF2001]

If you want a historic piece - 111
If you want a modern interpretation - 312

You cannot go wrong with either one, though.

[oyster21]

Originally Posted by ram100

Could you be so kind as to tell me where you got the brown strap, as per your photo, for the 312?

I have just bought a 328 and am looking at buying a leather strap for it.

Thanks.

Hi ram100, it's greg stevens crazy horse II. If u look at the top of the page, there's Panerai straps & accessories section. Or, you can always go to the man's website, http://gregstraps.blogspot.com/

[johannsmit]

Thank you for everyone's opinions! I considered them and made my decision. I picked up a beautiful 312 at my AD yesterday and LOVE it. At the end of the day, I was won over by the 1950 case, the brushed finish of the case, the thicker case with more wrist presence and the engraved crown protector. The 111 is an awesome looking watch too, but the 312 sang louder to me!

Will post pics soon.

Thanks again

Johann

[emagni]

Originally Posted by johannsmit

Thank you for everyone's opinions! I considered them and made my decision. I picked up a beautiful 312 at my AD yesterday and LOVE it. At the end of the day, I was won over by the 1950 case, the brushed finish of the case, the thicker case with more wrist presence and the engraved crown protector. The 111 is an awesome looking watch too, but the 312 sang louder to me!

Will post pics soon.

Thanks again

Johann

Well said and well picked! Congrats and wear it in good health!

[ocwatching]

Congrats! wear it in good health...
I am waiting for mine in the mail as well...
the 312 is pretty popular