312 or 233 Dilemma!

[inspires]

What would you do??

BNIB 312L for my Rolex 16800 Matte Dial + Cash
LNIB 233K for my Rolex 16800 Matte Dial + PAM183

I love the 312 but there's something about the seconds hand next to the '9' that I have yet to grow to love.

I love the domed crystal on the 233 and the 8 day power reserve.

Thanks,

Eric

[Shade]

Hmm.. difficult choice, I personally would prefer the 312, and keep the 183... Since it's nice to alternate between a luminor and radiomir every once in a while..

However, 233 is very beautiful as well, if you like a more complicated dial, while the 312 gives a more "cleaner" look...

But 312 gets my vote, as I'd keep the 183...

[Psmith]

312




Cheers

[inspires]

Originally Posted by Shade

But 312 gets my vote, as I'd keep the 183...

I've had many PAMs that have come and gone with trades, but the one that keeps sticking around in my collection is the 183

I will go try on both the 312 and 233 later this afternoon and see which speaks to me more and will definitely let you guys know what I end up with.

Cheers,

Eric

[Renoir]

I don't know about trading for the 233, but the 1950 case certainly looks awesome with the domed crystal.

Best of luck with your decision!

[m_reign]

Originally Posted by inspires

I've had many PAMs that have come and gone with trades, but the one that keeps sticking around in my collection is the 183

I will go try on both the 312 and 233 later this afternoon and see which speaks to me more and will definitely let you guys know what I end up with.

Cheers,

Eric

Checking them out in person is the best way to go. Initially I loved the domed finish on my 213 and 270, but that faded fast. Sold them both and eventually ended up with a 328, I have had it for the longest time of any of my watches and I couldn't be any happier.

[Trurolexer]

Get 312 and keep your 183.

[TswaneNguni]

Its really a 50:50 decision on 312 vs 233,keeping in mind the price difference.I guess it comes down to how much you would like to keep your 183.

[inspires]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

Get 312 and keep your 183.

I was just waiting for you to chime in my friend!

The decision will be made this afternoon - and I'll be coming home (actually back to the office with a 312 or 233)

Thanks,

Eric

[inspires]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Its really a 50:50 decision on 312 vs 233,keeping in mind the price difference.I guess it comes down to how much you would like to keep your 183.

Hi Chris,

Something about the 183 that speaks to me so it always has remained in the collection regardless of how many of my others come and go. That being said, the 183 is very replacable and do come by for a relatively good price here in HKG.

It almost seems that the 233 is more available here than the 312, which has really taken the spotlight from the 233.

Thanks,

Eric

[HL65]

Love the 233 personally--although biased towards the 275!! A lot of different opinions out there --only that matters is yours when it sits on your wrist.

[bcacncnc]

Originally Posted by inspires

I was just waiting for you to chime in my friend!

The decision will be made this afternoon - and I'll be coming home (actually back to the office with a 312 or 233)

Thanks,

Eric

What?! You're getting another PAM! Can't wait Eric...

Good one!!

[Psmith]

I tried the 233 myself this afternoon and........... still prefer the 312

The power reserve meter is a turn-off for me (although I can appreciate why you'd want it with an 8 day movement ...but perhaps put it on the back?)

The domed crystal is nice but I can take it or leave it. GMT function is of no consequence to me on a PAM.

And at AU$16.5k full retail it makes the 312 seem like very good value.




Cheers

[CorruptedSanity]

he panerai you have is lovely. But between the pam312 and pam233 I chose the pam312 because of the cleaner dial and the 6/9/12 on the dial. I also liked the super domed crystal but after swapping my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for a pam233 with a friend ( he wanted to try the ap ro) I decided the super dome made the dial look distorted 80% of the time. It only looked great when you viewed it head on. Otherwise the dial looked small because the field of view decreased.

[rajunmd]

312

[B. Doggy]

312 and keep the 183. You won't be disappointed.

[ocwatching]

two does not make one...especially the 183
312...

[inspires]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys!!!

So I went this afternoon and tried on again the 312 and the 233.

312

-Looked great in the showcase, but not so much on my wrist
-There was still something about the 9 and the seconds hand being in the same place that I couldn't get used to.
-At first I thought the 1950s case would sit better on my small and flat wrist but it bulged a bit more than I thought. The height almost felt like a Deep Sea Sea Dweller.

233
-Loved the power reserve meter and the day/night aligned with the seconds
-The case sat a bit better on my wrist but still did not feel as comfy as my 183 did.
-The domed crystal is to die for IMHO and made the watch stand out from the rest
-The tunnel strap is a beauty and goes very will with the profile of the 233 and it's domed crystal

Back and forth...back and forth...couldn't decide so I went back to the office, went home and was still torn between the two. What could I do??? So...I went back after dinner to try the watches on AGAIN!

After 1/2 an hour of trying both watches on again wearing each for about 10 minutes, I still adored the feel of my 183.

The guy I deal with said that something just came in from an AD they deal with in Spain, so he pulled it out and.....I just couldn't say NO!

It was a nice balance of the 233 and my much loved 183.....so I came home with this.....



PAM268!!!!

Panerai 2002/3 Inhouse Movement with 8 Day Power Reserve
Beautiful Sandwich Dial with Seconds at "9" without the "9"
Date - which I missed with my other PAMs
Power Reserve Indicator on the Dial

and BEST OF ALL it's a RADIOMIR!!! It fit like a glove and I haven't been able to take it off since.

Thanks again for all the great feedback and I can assure that this one is a KEEPER!!! Now time to save up for the 339!

[louie]

Eric,well done! BIG BIGG CONGRATES to you on your 268!!

okay got to jump into bed now! its 2.00am in the morning now!! Eric wear it in good health yeah!!!

[inspires]

Originally Posted by louie

Eric,well done! BIG BIGG CONGRATES to you on your 268!!

okay got to jump into bed now! its 2.00am in the morning now!! Eric wear it in good health yeah!!!

Thanks Louie - ditto 2 am here in HK as well.

[B. Doggy]

Congrats!

[zlin08033]

Eric: Big Congrat on your new 268!!! Is 312 easy to find in HK? It is not that easy to find in US.

[A1000]

Eric, great choice. I tried on a gold radomir with the 8 day movt earlier in the week and it was a lovely watch. Glad you found your way through the dilema as they are all great watches

[HL65]

Congrats--beautiful watch!

[Psmith]

Great result Eric, congratulations




Cheers

[inspires]

Originally Posted by zlin08033

Eric: Big Congrat on your new 268!!! Is 312 easy to find in HK? It is not that easy to find in US.

Hard to find at the three ADs we have here, but easy to find at Grey Dealers. About $6800 USD BNIB from Grey Dealers here.

Cheers,

Eric

[grieven]

very nice.

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by inspires

Thanks for all the great feedback guys!!!

So I went this afternoon and tried on again the 312 and the 233.

Huge Congrats!!! I believe we have the same taste about watch...

[inspires]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

Huge Congrats!!! I believe we have the same taste about watch...

TR - it looks like my list is starting to look a lot like yours! 8 Days a Week Buddy I would love to add a 190 to the collection, but need to start saving up for a 339

Cheers,

Eric

[m_reign]

Congratulations!!!!, the 268 is an extremely underrated watch, wear it in good health!