New to Panerai with a few questions

[donas]

I have gotten the itch to try out Panerai again; I bought a Radiomir several years ago and had immediate buyers remorse. I've done my best to search out some answers/info but would like the "experts" here to solidify my searches.

I don't really care for the "rounder" looking Luminor case and crystal, so this seems like the 1950 style is out -right? Do some 1950s have flat crystals? The manual wind cases are going to be slightly thinner than automatic?

I think I am leaning towards the PAM 510. I can't find too many recent reviews or posts on this movement; most of what I see are from a couple years ago when the "haven't had the test of time" posts were common. What is the general consensus of this movement vs the eta in the PAM 111?

I am open to suggestions from those who are far more versed than I. I think I would prefer the sandwich dial, small seconds, clear case back, water resistant to 300m. (The clear case back on the 510 is a little boring which is one complaint I have with that model).

Thanks for the help

[nick c]

I would go Pam 111 sandwich dial easier to service then 510 and the clear back much nicer good luck

[RUpanerai]

I agree with Nick, go for the 111 but the 510 is also a great watch if you have others to swap in the rotation due to the 8 days. You won't look at the movement much with the watch on your wrist. =)

[kechy]

I recently had to make a similar choice, albeit for a white dial. I was comparing the older ETA 113 vs the newer P.5000 563.

There are a few very subtle visual differences between two, some which may matter to you and some which may not.

The older crystal gets distorted at an angle, the newer one does not. The older dial sits up closer to the crystal, while the newer dial sits lower. The newer Luminor case is slightly thinner than the old. The newer bezel is a tiny bit slimmer than the old, making the dial look a tiny bit bigger from the top side on the new. And when comparing 111 to 510 the font is a bit wider/fatter on the 510 than 111. From a subjective point of view, the decorated ETA probably looks a little better than the plain utilitarian P.5000, and maybe with the older model you have the option to find the "paneraipaneraipanerai" engraved movement as well, which is pretty cool.

Ultimately I went with the newer 563 - for me, winding a Luminor with the crown guard kind of in the way is not as pleasant as a winding a radiomir, so I'd rather do it every 8 days instead of 2-ish. Aesthetically I liked the lower sitting dial as well. And it was easier to buy the 563 new.

Hope all this gibberish helps.

[donas]

Kechy, it helped allot- thanks.

So, do all the 1950s have the rounded Crystal or are some flat?

[nick c]

One thing also with 1950 case there are very heavy.

[kechy]

Originally Posted by donas

Kechy, it helped allot- thanks.

So, do all the 1950s have the rounded Crystal or are some flat?

Not 100% sure on this but I think some are flat. I've seen some 1950s where the numbers are not distorted (in photos) so I assume the crystals are not domed (like the 312, 321).

Can't think of any base plus seconds 1950s flat crystal 44mm offhand though.

[Cru Jones]

Generally speaking, the latest models have flatter crystals.

[eagle_lex]

I was debating between replacing my 112 that i sold and a 560 so i know what you are dealing with. Kechy sums it all up very well. Ultimately i went with the 560 because i could find it easier and at a better price than a 112. Actually got it new for a little more than a used 112! Never looked back. The 560 (to me) is far nicer than my old 112.