Never thought I'd like a radiomir but.....

[TonyD]

Might be time for a new watch. I went to Panerai about 2 years ago planning to buy a black sandwich dial base model, maybe 176. Long story short I fell in love with the cream dial 251 Daylight and bought that. I love the way it goes with ANY color strap.

Now I find myself looking again. I thought about flipping the 251 but prices are down and I really do love it.

The 312/320/321 is the obvious choice and has what I want. Criteria are black dial, sandwich dial and prefer in house movement.

BUT the 1950 case, while awesome somehow leaves me feeling like I have the same watch with a different dial color.

I have never liked the Radiomir case and not given them much thought BUT....

I have grown to like larger watches and my DSSD and Ploprof get the most wrist time. The Rad fills the need for a black dial PAM with everything I want while the watch case will not look like I have 2 watches but just different dial colors.

Is there any end to this sickness? What models do I look for with those criteria?

Is there any help for a Luminor guy to make the jump to the Rad?

[Shade]

Sickness? no no no... it's not a sickness. It's an addiction my friend. And there's no cure - sorry.. :(

However, the good news is.

Radiomirs are great watches. They are basic and classic. They can be worn either casually, and formally. I find the luminor/1950 cases are less formal no matter what kind of strap you attach. However, the radiomirs, turns completely different if you attach say a glossy black gator strap with black stitching - becomes very very formal and almost a dress watch. When you put on an ammo/leather calf strap with contrasting sticthing, it becomes a very casual watch that you can wear with your jeans.

The radiomirs are also very comfortable on the wrist, compared to the luminors and 1950 cases. They are very thin and light.

Some basic models that are very sought after in the radiomir world would be the 210, 183, and the 292.

If you are ready to up your ante, the 190, 232, 249 are readily available for purchase. Though at a premium price usually.

If you think these basic models I referred are TOO basic, then you can go for the 288, the Radiomir Chronograph. It's a very nice watch that is underrated iMHO.

Other choices may as well be the 338 Ti (42mm), the 231 (Gold), and well, the tourbillon. But I'm sure they will need some deep thinking and deep pockets too. :D

Goodluck!

[mfer]

My first Panerai was a Luminor...then I found the Radiomir! Money watch man.

[mfer]

[Watchdog]

Mik, those are gorgeous.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by kingkongkelley

Mik, those are gorgeous.

x2!!

very cool shot.

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by mfer

awesome pair

[mfer]

So Tony, what are you thinking?

There are sooooo many good options out there.

If money is no object (wish I had that problem).
232,190,249,309,349 on the 349
If money is somewhat of an object (more realistic)
268,248,,,more I'm sure but I can't think now
If you are a cheap bastard (where I live)
210,183, new 380 can't be beat!!!!!!!

What you thinking?

[Shade]

Originally Posted by mfer

So Tony, what are you thinking?

There are sooooo many good options out there.

If money is no object (wish I had that problem).
232,190,249,309,349 on the 349

Agree with the options Mik gives here.

Originally Posted by mfer

If money is somewhat of an object (more realistic)
268,248,,,more I'm sure but I can't think now
If you are a cheap bastard (where I live)
210,183, new 380 can't be beat!!!!!!!

What you thinking?

No on the 268 for me... :D

And isnt the 380 42mm?

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Shade

Agree with the options Mik gives here.




No on the 268 for me... :D

And isnt the 380 42mm?

380 is the painted dial logo 45mm

[fc3s2k]

I have a 210 and love it!!!
Saving for that assolutamente stap, and it would look awesome X2!!!!!

[TSW]

Love Radiomir's an will be adding one to my collection soon.

[drtooth73]

Mic, thats a sweet light brown strap, I am jealous. Would be nice on my Radiomir, too.

[TonyD]

Jeez Mik, quote a lot of info there.

I took a look at the models you suggested. I'm ok with Luminors but the Rads are another animal. It gets crazy trying to remember them by number.....

My criteria are:
Cheap bastage here so I am looking for good value. This means I'd LIKE to pay $5k but for what I want I think I am looking at a $10k watch. If I feel it is worth the price (like for an 8 day in house movement) then I will do it. Its not what I can afford, but what I think is a good value for me.

Sandwich dial for sure.
I like em larger so probably 47mm.
Not sure about titanium. Scratches too easy for me, not for a dressy watch like this,
Pretty basic dial, no chrono or gmt needed. Maybe a small seconds OR a date OR a logo but not all three.I like the ones with small seconds and the dot for am/pm.

I really want an in house movement. My 251 is based on the 7750 and I have too many of those. I don't want to go cheap on this one.

I'd consider a manual wind 8 day maybe. I know it will be $$ but man that would be cool! If it was 8 day with the horizontal power reserve that would be pretty cool.

I say I want a pretty basic dial BUT in the end I do buy "weird" watches, like the DSSD and Ploprof for example. If I see a normal looking watch and another model with a neat feature or different color dial then I am drawn to the oddball for sure. For this reason the California dial is intriguing.

And for sure exhibition caseback so I can watch all the goodies.

I need to make a list with features and images to narrow it down......