Panerai advice

[Biblebanger]

I have been looking at Panerai for a while and really want one and am not sure which one I want. Is there a classic must have model for my first one?

Also I noticed that the majority of them are on straps. Are the bracelet models not as popular? Sorry if these are dumb questions. I am much more familiar with Omega and Breitling.

Here are my two babies. Which Panerai would fit in the mix? Please post pictures if you can.





Thank you in advance for the good advice!

[mamas]

Haj, i actually prefer the panerai on the straps than the bracelets.. they dont look right on bracelts imho. I know next to nothing about panerais but i am sure one of the other guys will be able to give you a good answer to your other question

[JJ Irani]

Hi Haj,

I didn't realise it was you from your username. Welcome, once again, pal. I should have recognised that massive, muscular forearm.

JJ

[Launch Mini]

There are plenty of excuses for the straps. Mostly , IMO, owners are trying to recreate the history of the watch by wearing with straps.
Part of the appeal is the straps on the Luminors are so darned easy to change,and you can get as many straps as your heart wishes.
They are fairly heavy watches , but sit very comfortably with the strap.
Which one to get is very much personal preferance. I like the clean large dials of the "base" ones. ( either time only, time & seconds, and yes I have one with Date, seconds & time).
For me the GMT's and subs get a tad busy on the dials, just my opinion.
Great first pannies are the Base or Luminor. Manual wind is quite historic also. But I also like the auto wind feature on some.
There is also the Radiomir line up. Strap changing is not as easy. This line is thinner (LOL) than the Luminor line up. This is one very comfortable watch also.
Then you can get into the different type dials ( standard with the Lume/numbers on top of the dial, or the sandwhich dial, which has these cut-out & the lume is below the surface. Again personal preferance.
Here is the Lum Auto ( black) and the Luminor Manual ( white)

This has the Radiomir with the sandwich dial

[Launch Mini]

Here is a lume shot, the one on the left is the Luminor 104, the right is the Radiomir. Excuse the shake in my photo, no tripod used

[Launch Mini]

This is a lume of the white one ( duh)

[dman]

Let me see, where do I start.

Part of the beauty of Panerai is the straps and the vintage look or dressed up look they can give the same watch. The OEM bracelets are better than most any out there, but the vintage Pannies were worn on straps, so must Paneristi wear them that way.

I think that a historic model would fit your collection perfectly for a few reasons. For one thing it would be a manual wind so that would be different, it would also give you the clean look that Pannies offer. I would say something like a 111, 005, 000, 112, 210 or 219 would be some great places to start looking.

As for pics, I have a few of those, let me see.

112H


162, 112 & 210


210 on shark....


162 on Gator

[dman]

210 on Cashmere strap


Going vintage on the 210


Couple of funky ones...





Dressed for swimming..

[dman]

aftermarket bracelet...


Carbon Fiber, yummy!


Very vintage look, self made distress job on the strap.


And a plain black calf....


I really could go on and on, the combinations are endless.

And yeah, I am just a bit PASSIONATE about this brand.

If we can be of any other help, just holler.

[mailman]

Beautiful pics Daren

[JJ Irani]

Great pics, Daren!! Can we see some more please?

[mamas]

great pics darren! its incredibl how many panerais you have gone through.. which ones do you own now?

[dman]

Originally Posted by mamas

great pics darren! its incredibl how many panerais you have gone through.. which ones do you own now?

The group pic is the current lineup, 210, 162 and 112.

[Launch Mini]

I had my first impromptu person to person encounter with a fellow WIS yesterday.
We had to go to the mall to get some mothersday shopping in, and stopped at the food court for a bite.
On the way out, this gentleman stops me & comments on my Pam113. ( he was wearing a Nice Omega BTW). He is mostly into vitage Rolex but we started to chat. My wife just rolled her eyes & said " Meet you in 15 minutes"
He doesn't have a Pannie yet, but knows my AD well as well as my other Rollex dealer
He said he noticed the Pam from across the restaurant ( use that term loosely) and was curious about the watch.
Was a good first GTG with another watch fan. He was suprised as I was , as there are no real watch stores within 25 miles of our town.
Looking forward to more GTG's, maybe with somr TRF's one day.
I told him about our site, hopefully he will show up. He seems to know his Rollie's for sure.
BTW, that 15 mintues was more like 30

[Biblebanger]

Thank you so much for the help guys! It is hard for me right now to see a lot difference in them. I really like the sandwich dial with the second hand at the 9 position. I think I would get one with a strap. I like the idea of changing the look easily with different straps.

BTW I am going to Minneapolis in a few days. Anyone know of a Panerai dealer in that area? It would give me a good chance to check them out again closer. I need to find a good watch dealer while I am there. The dealer that I bought my Omega from is in the Mall of America. They are only Rolex and Omega though.

[Rodentman]

I sent you a PM. I live in the Mpls dealer and work a few miles from the only MN Panerai dealer. They also sell Rolex, IWC, Lange, Breitling, JLC, and Patek.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Biblebanger

Thank you so much for the help guys! It is hard for me right now to see a lot difference in them. I really like the sandwich dial with the second hand at the 9 position. I think I would get one with a strap. I like the idea of changing the look easily with different straps.

BTW I am going to Minneapolis in a few days. Anyone know of a Panerai dealer in that area? It would give me a good chance to check them out again closer. I need to find a good watch dealer while I am there. The dealer that I bought my Omega from is in the Mall of America. They are only Rolex and Omega though.

You can also go to the link posted below and ordere a free catalogue. I got mine in the mail yesterday

http://panerai.com/s_page.xpd?id_lingua=2&id_sezione=1

[dman]

Originally Posted by Biblebanger

Thank you so much for the help guys! It is hard for me right now to see a lot difference in them. I really like the sandwich dial with the second hand at the 9 position. I think I would get one with a strap. I like the idea of changing the look easily with different straps.

BTW I am going to Minneapolis in a few days. Anyone know of a Panerai dealer in that area? It would give me a good chance to check them out again closer. I need to find a good watch dealer while I am there. The dealer that I bought my Omega from is in the Mall of America. They are only Rolex and Omega though.

If you find one you want and my AD has it in stock, you can save tax as they do ship out of state. She would also throw in a strap, I am pretty sure.

If I can help PM or email me.

[Biblebanger]

Thanks again for all the help. I will be certainly visiting the dealer that Rodentman mentioned and getting the free catalog. You guys are alright!

[Rodentman]

I meant to say I live in the Mpls AREA, although sometimes I think I live in the dealer's store. I have never been IN the dealer, nor do I plan to be, but some of the salesladies....

I hope you have fun on your trip...

Originally Posted by Rodentman

I meant to say I live in the Mpls AREA, although sometimes I think I live in the dealer's store. I have never been IN the dealer, nor do I plan to be, but some of the salesladies....

I hope you have fun on your trip...