Pam 98 info needed.....

[Teofilo]

I have been interested for some time in getting a Panerai PAM 98 as my "best" watch. I already own two Rollies, both of which get treated as tool watches. The Sub was my dream watch,then I caught Rolex fever and got the GMT shortly afterwards.

I finally went to my nearest Panerai AD yesterday, and at long last got to see some Panerai watches in the flesh. I was absolutely blown away ! I tried on a PAM 242 and a PAM 214. Both stunning, but not quite what I was after.

The lady in the shop said that the PAM 98 has been discontinued.I find that strange because it is still on the Panerai web site.

Can any Panerai experts tell me when this watch was produced from and when it was discontinued ? Also how much it was ? If it was only discontinued recently I will start searching for one.

Before I left the shop the lady gave me the latest (Sept 07) catalogue from Rolex and also the latest (2007) one from Panerai. To be honest there was a lot more to interest me in the Panerai catalogue.

One final question......can any of you recommend any friendly Panerai forums ? (hopefully something along the line of TRF)......