PAM, ROLEX I need a few suggestions and advice

[mmancari]

I'm about to pull the trigger on my first watch. I'm an artist so I like unusual and highly collectible items. Therefore, I have narrowed my choices to the following watches for following reasons.

PAM 111- Basic simple and not to expensive. An everyday Pam without much flare
PAM 210- A little more business and entry level
PAM 292- Black ceramic and if your going to have a black watch. Nice choice
PAM 312- Beautiful and elegant. Dress it up or down and it's might be one of the best.
PAM 351- Similar to the 312 plus a titanium case, brown dial (the right shade), and gold hands
PAM 359- Shine and nice balance between the luminous markers. If you are going to polish the case and bezel...than why didn't they polish the crown protector?

Rolex

Milgauss- White- I would love the vintage version but its $$$$
GMT- Pepsi on Jubilee or rootbeer looks good in vintage with brown strap and I like most GMT's except the new ones. Hate those new numbers
Seadweller-16600 no holes- by far the best looking, my opinion. The Deep Sea needs to be a 44-47mm to pull off the thickness (opinion)

Now, I understand it's my choice but, when considering all factors which one do you think would be a be the best choice based upon your experience. I understand, ultimately, the choice is mine....

1. Durability
2. Resale (should i want to upgrade to a PAM 127 or Pam 233, Comex...dream watches etc)
3. Best value
4. Nice enough to standout, but not exorbitant or flashy.
5. Functionality and comfort

Any suggestions and/or personal experiences are greatly appreciated. I'm not in a rush and I value the opinions of the Rolex Forums.

[padi56]

Simple on this Rolex forum most will say a Rolex on the Panerai forum most will say Panerai.Now myself believe you should pick the watch that you want to wear, the only opinion that really matters is your own.And unless you have very deep pockets you can forget the Comex, today most all brands of watches are durable. Myself would choose a classic SD 16600 don't really matter if it has lug hole or non lug hole case.And would add would doubt if any modern day Rolex watch would be classed as collectible now or future. Perhaps say in 30-40 years a few of the short run sports model might be.

[Lion]

Michael, you are looking at very nice watches and they all cost $$$. I myself like the GMT Pepsi and would recommend you find a nice used one or new if you can find it. Check out the sellers here on this Forum in the For Sale section but it appears to me you are leaning toward a Pam, also very nice watches!!!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by padi56

Simple on this Rolex forum most will say a Rolex on the Panerai forum most will say Panerai.Now myself believe you should pick the watch that you want to wear, the only opinion that really matters is your own.And unless you have very deep pockets you can forget the Comex, today most all brands of watches are durable. Myself would choose a classic SD 16600 don't really matter if it has lug hole or non lug hole case.And would add would doubt if any modern day Rolex watch would be classed as collectible now or future. Perhaps say in 30-40 years a few of the short run sports model might be.

X2

Either GMT Pepsi or SD would be my choice. Panerai are a bit big for my taste.

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by padi56

Simple on this Rolex forum most will say a Rolex on the Panerai forum most will say Panerai.Now myself believe you should pick the watch that you want to wear, the only opinion that really matters is your own.And unless you have very deep pockets you can forget the Comex, today most all brands of watches are durable. Myself would choose a classic SD 16600 don't really matter if it has lug hole or non lug hole case.And would add would doubt if any modern day Rolex watch would be classed as collectible now or future. Perhaps say in 30-40 years a few of the short run sports model might be.

+1
but IMHO...SD would stay timeless...

but if you are leaning PAM..handwound models should be your first...(this coming from a guy who started with 312)

[egzbuen]

I am generally a Rolex guy but found myself this year dipping my fingers into IWC and PAM. However, to cap the year, I went back to Rolex. Really depends on personal preference.

I say, go to the nearest AD and try on those pieces you've posted and choose which one sings to you louder and puts a bigger smile on your face.

At the end of the day, it does not matter what we suggest or what other would say but the important thing is, you bought the piece that truly makes you happy.

But, to answer your querry, I would choose the SD (or even the 16610) which is not in your list as my first watch to be. For me, these two has numbers 1 to 5 of your requirements.

Good luck with the hunt.

[slcbbrown]

For me, when the choice for your only watch comes down to Rolex vs any of the comparably priced brands, always pick Rolex. For your second, third, etc. watch, you may want to learn enough about another brand to try one.

With Rolex you know it's an inhouse, high quality movement with decades of testing in the field. Service is available in almost any large city, and for a watch that can easily last 50 years+, that's a big deal.

None of this is intended as a knock on PAM, but you can't go wrong with such an iconic Rolex as the GMT. Good luck.

[mmancari]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I value the responses so far. I have gone in to both authorized dealers of Rolex and Panerai. Each experience was entirely different. I suppose it'll be a tough choice. However, I am sure I will own one of each one day.

[mfer]

The most versatile watch in terms of trendy to vintage to dressy is the 210 in my humble opinion. Just a strap change and you are there.

The other most versatile watch would be the SD.

[nauticajoe]

As some have mentioned, I would go with either the 16600 or 16610 as my 1st watch. With the PAM, I always have a soft spot for the 292.

Good Luck!

[Singslinger]

Welcome to TRF! Of the watches you've mentioned, I own the PAM 359, a Milgauss GV, a GMT II and a Sea-Dweller. Here're my 2 cents:

1) PAM 359 - a Panerai with a difference with its fully numbered, aged-looking dial. Versatile like all Panerais because of the option of changing straps. Surprisingly inexpensive (at under US$7k) for a PAM with the new inhouse movement. Heavy, large, looks great and has real presence but might not fit a thin wrist. Not sure of the durability of the P9000 caliber movement though since it's not been around that long. According to some postings on the TRF Panerai section, watches with ETA/Valjoux movement may well be more collectible in the future once they are phased out and replaced by inhouse calibers.

2) Milgauss GV - if the 359 is a PAM with a difference, then the Milgauss is a Rolex with a difference. No Cyclops date, no rotatable bezel and no Oyster fliplock bracelet. Weighs more than most other 40mm Rolexes because the movement is housed in 2 cases. I love the PCLs and the dressy look it has, though I understand that the orange seconds hand may not be to everyone's taste. Of the 3 Milgauss models, the GV is probably the most collectible. Durability should not be a problem - this is after all, a Rolex!

3) GMT II - my model is the 16760 from 1987, sometimes referred to as a "Fat Lady''. One of the all-time classic Rolexes with the traditional Rolex features (though my bracelet doesn't have a Fliplock). Plenty of history and tradition associated with the watch. Discontinued and replaced by the ceramic bezel version so it has some collectible value. However, I hardly use the 2-time zone feature.

4) Sea-Dweller - one of the quintessential Rolexes. A classic that has been discontinued and replaced by the Deepsea version. My personal favourite sports watch and in my view, the most versatile of my collection.

One final note: servicing. I'm of the view that Rolex servicing is unbeatable and is provided at very reasonable prices. I haven't yet had to send my PAMs in for a service but I have two friends who have, and their feedback is, er, unprintable. You might want to consider this when deciding.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[mmancari]

Excellent Posts. I am a fan of the "Fat Lady" version of Gmt. The Sea Dweller is just one of the best looking Rolexes (My Opinion). I tried on the PAM 359 at the Panerai Boutique in NYC. It's quite a beautiful watch and didn't dwarf my 7" wrists. I'm just petrified of scratching it.

Phil, I'm curious why a hand- wound watch should be my first Pam? Isn't it a matter of preference or is it more/less a better way to appreciate the care and maintenance of the watch?

All very good points to the rest of the group- Thanks

[mike]

Hand wound is more in keeping with Pam DNA.

[karmatp]

You cant lose with either brand. Just find the watch you like the most and enjoy it for the rest of your life, simple.

[Watchdog]

Out of the choices you offered (and they are good choices), I would choose . . .



PAM 312


GMT Pepsi on Jubilee


Either order. Both fantastic. You choose!

[mountainrivera]

Many straps available for the Pam so you may have more flexibility as you can change the look of the watch when the mood hits you.

[Badfish179]

I think you have done your homework. You obviously know what you like. I owned a PAM but ultimately went back to Rolex. I'm a waterbaby so I value a dive watch with a bezel. I think you would be best off with a Sea Dweller. I don't know why you don't like lug holes. They make strap changes a whole lot easier. If one day you want to wear a nato and plan on putting the bracelet back on, those lug holes are the ticket.

I wish you luck with whatever you choose and look forward to seeing your ultimate selection posted here in the forum.

Cheers!

[Michael M.]

I would go SD or 351, I have gotten to wear both before, but they both are pretty neat!!