2 New straps, 2 old watches, and 1 casual review..

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So, one of our friends here have asked "How do you feel wearing the 1950 case compared to the Radiomir case?". It got me thinking... how did I actually feel?

There are probably 4 distinct cases that Panerai has - the Luminor case, the "1950" case, the radiomir case, and the sub case. Please ignore the sizing between cases, I'm just talking in general - as well all know there are 47mm radiomir cases, 45mm and 42mm etc..

What I'm talking about here is strictly around 47mm, 44mm, and 45mm.

The most significant case is probably the luminor/1950 case. You can tell that someone is wearing a Panerai from afar, just from the shape of the case and that patented crown guard design. Make no mistake - there are other watches that design crownguards, but none is similiar to Panerai's hence there is no way in mistaking it. Radiomir case comes second, and the rest follows.



Displayed is my most worn two watches, along with two new straps. The 233 is displayed with the "Prototype 3" strap from Wotancraft, whilst the 232 is displayed with "vintage calf gold semimat" from Panerai.

The 232 is at 47mm size, despite the width that some of you may go ooh and aah (I did at the first time honestly), but it is surprisingly wearable. Sure I admit I still prefer the standard 45mm, but at 47mm Radiomir case size, it's not such a big deal actually. It's simple 3 days (or less) movement based on the basic ETA manual winding machine is very simple, and flat. It makes the case really thin (well not as thin as an Altiplano from Piaget), and sits right flat on your wrist. The good thing is, being thin, it's very light, and it doesn't wobble around since it's also very flat on either side. I can wear my radiomir (any radiomir for that matter - except for the chrono version) and won't feel a thing on my wrist. It will just feel - what shall I say - natural.

During driving, working (no hard labour involved - I'm an office guy), photographing, and even sleeping (yes I wear my watches to sleep at times), it gives me a no hassle no frill feeling. Too bad I can't wear it to bath for not having a rubber strap made for a radiomir, so I can't tell you how does it feel when I shower with it .

It is *for me* the MOST comfortable case design from Panerai to date. And I can just imagine how the titanium radiomir cases must feel - even better. The platinum ones, I'm not sure. I think it'll be rather heavy and will droop on your wrist and wobble around, and besides, I don't have and don't want to spend that kind of money on a Platinum Panerai - at that price range - sorry to say - I'd rather get a Patek.

Now regarding my new Radiomir Strap - it is SERIOUSLY comfortable. Panerai is really catching right up on the vintage strap department. I don't know when this strap was released, nor what watch did it came from, what I knew was I visited my grey dealer one day, and he had one in stock. I looked, I touched, and I fell in love. It's orangey-brown strap, with a crackle vintage finish. The leather is very very dry, and it sucks water - but leaves no mark! Amazing - I don't know how dry straps can do that. Every time I have a dry finished strap, dropping a dot of water on it, will usually leave a mark, at least when wet - it may or may not stain after it dries. But this, it doesn't even stain in the first place. Amazing.

The quality of the leather is top notch I must say, and whilst not for everyone, it is for me. The finish on the backside of the leather is just like the one on the front. Except there are officine panerai stamp/branding there - I even tried wearing it inside out, but well, the writings actually put me off - hehehehe.

For those of you looking for a vintage style dry crackle finish strap, this is THE strap to get. It did cost me some fortune though, but it was worthed.



The 1950 case and the luminor case is very similar. However, I must stress that - being an anal person like me, I feel the luminor case is very very very very slightly more comfortable than the 1950 case. Why? the position of the lugs - the ones on the Luminor case sits closer to your wrist, hence giving you a flatter sitting, and stops your watch from wobbling around too much, and also giving it a better appearance because you can't see the gap too big between the lugs to your wrist. This scenario gets worse on the new 3 day in house auto movements, such as 312-351-352, so on, as the case back is thicker to accomodate the movement, the lugs sits higher thus creating a larger gap.

I also find it inconvenient that wearing my 233 I need to step down one hole for my tang buckle. Thus making it abit loose, while the luminor cases, I use my usual hole. Is it that different you say? YES I SAY! The sitting of the lug of my 233 is probably 2mm higher than the one in the luminor case, hence making my usual hole for tang buckle is 2mm tighter! At first I always wondered what was different between the cases, because I ALWAYS need to poke a different hole on the strap between my 417 and 233. Some straps are okay due to it's flexibility, but on gator straps, it's a no no. While not only you're choking your wrist, you are also damaging your gator hide when you pry it open.

The 1950 case is also uncomfortable for sleeping. In the morning, I will have a crown guard mark on the back of my palm, and have this sensation that tingles that reminds me that the crownguard may have blocked one of my larger vein during my sleep!

During other activites, it is also great. But you NOTICE you have a watch. And at times, I need to adjust it's position because it wobbles around...

And now regarding the strap, I have always admired Wotancraft's piece of work at www.wotancraft.com. They make straps and leather bags, and also a unique panerai watch case. You go browse yourself, prepare a dry towel or toilet paper as you may wet yourself.

I bought the Prototype 3 strap after a huge debate of either getting this, or the 74 series. But decided I have one too many brown/honey/gold coloured shade of strap. So I choose the yellowish-green type. And behold, I LOVE it. My friend ordered the 74... and to my surprise, it didn't turn out like the one he posted in his pictures. The 74 numbering is faded, almost unrecognizeable - and well, to me it's just a disappointment in comparison to his pictures of it.

The 3 on the other hand, is just as advertised. The leather is great, soft, and very very comfortable to wear. However, this is also a dry leather strap that sucks up water, and I haven't found any stain on it after a few trials. so I think it may be safe. And besides, it may add to the vintage worn out look! :)



So, if I had to choose, if I can ONLY HAVE ONE case type - then I'd choose the 1950 case. *GASP* why you say? Because it is the icon that I myself and many other people will notice first and foremost that it is a Panerai. Some may debate that those radiomir cases are the root of Panerai DNA, sure - I agree, but in today's world, people recognizes the crown guard for it's Panerai-ness. And yeah, despite I am more comfortable in it's radiomir cases, but the Panerai with a crown guard is more of an eye candy to me.

Thanks for reading my crap! :D