new to Panerai

[h999r]

Im thinking about buying my first panerai, my budget is 10K. I prefer used one in good condition.
Any sugestion ? I like 42 - 44 diameter size, and love chrono watch.
And I found so many serial number on PAM001 - PAM etc etc . and everything looks almost the same on panerai watches.

Thank you guys

[TSW]

Panerai for me are 44mm + and with less functions the better imo

[ocwatching]

If you are Chrono guy...275/311 are good choices but will be a bit mover your 10k limit pre-loved...

I would seriously have a look at the 233..non chrono but GMT and one heck of a modern Panerai...

[watchdaddy1]

Your gonna find 1 hellova Pam w/ that budget.. Let the hunting begin
less is better in the world of Panerai IMO..Pam190,390 or 292 ceramic would be my 1st choices if it was my $$$

[mfer]

I'm not a good guy to ask about chrono's. I'd recommend that you try on some of those simple dialed ones. That is much of the beauty of Panerai, simplicity.

BASE is ACE!

[eric23]

I would go with a historic base 000/111/112.

[Shade]

There are quite a few options for 10k budget, but I think start with the basics and you will be very happy.

[MrJ320]

I would go for a Luminor for your first Panerai over a Radiomir, and manual wind over automatic. Like someone else mentioned, a good condition 233 should be right around your budget (and I am biased since I have one and love it). I like it because I find it to be a balance between simplicity while incorporating some complications (GMT, date, PR indicator).

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by MrJ320

I would go for a Luminor for your first Panerai over a Radiomir, and manual wind over automatic. Like someone else mentioned, a good condition 233 should be right around your budget (and I am biased since I have one and love it). I like it because I find it to be a balance between simplicity while incorporating some complications (GMT, date, PR indicator).

Good advice

[h999r]

Thanks for the input guys. What you guys think about Pam 236 chrono on bracelet ? The daylight with bracelet looks nice.

[nauticajoe]

Another vote for the historic models.

[Jeffa32]

i was in a in similar position to you few months ago and opted for the PAM 111. I juts felt the historic retro look of Panerai and didn't need to complicated with chronos and GMT functions etc. The Pam 111 draws great comment from WIS and non WIS friends alike.

You could pick on of this up for around $5k and then get a IWC or Omega chrono with the rest of the budget. I love the Portofino or new Planet Ocean.

Whichever decision you make - you will end up with a fantastic watch - Enjoy.

[m_reign]

Heru, the 236 is a nice watch if you don't mind the busy dial. It is super heavy though, imo heavier than a DSSD. I would recommend looking into a 328/329 if you want a bracelet version. Otherwise around $10K, 233 is the most practical. I prefer the 312 over the 233 more personally and it is cheaper.

[Cru Jones]

New to Panerai? You're in trouble now.

I love Panerai, but, to be honest, I would go with other brands for chronos. With your budget, there are a lot of good options....depending on your wrist, 372 and 233 will be the most obvious choices......or, get two? How about a 000 and a 177? Or, choose one of those and a base Rad?

In the end, when you start out, things may seem very similar, but, after a bit, you'll start to see the vast differences. Take your time and enjoy the hunt!

[p_mcgee]

I'd pick between the basics: PAM 111, 112, 312, 104, or a preowned 233. Not a big fan of Panerai chronos or submersibles.

[red1108nyc]

I would recommend a gently used 111 to see how it feels on the wrist.. more simple the better to start!






If you would care for one level up of complication, a GMT in pam 233 is also very nice:





Good luck with your search, the hunt is half the fun!

Best,

Fred

[Johnnybonkel]

Ii HAD FROM NEW A 44MM pam 89 TITANIUM...HATED IT.
AFTER 2 YEARS THE HANDS CORRODED (ACTUALLY IF YOU LOOK ON EBAY YOU CAN SEE ONE ON THERE WITH SAME PROBLEM). sERVICE CENTER SAID AIR TIGHT GASKETS HAD GONE (i WORE THIS THING FOR LIKE A FEW WEEKS! SENT IT BACK TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REPLACED THEM. 2 YEARS LATER THE POWER RESERVE WAS DOWN TO JUST 12 HOURS. SENT IT BACK TO SERVICE CENTER - THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND IT WAS STILL SAME. THE AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT SENDS SO MUCH VIBES THROUGH YOUR WRIST ITS IRRATATING. JUST MY VIEW BUT IT'S ROLEX FOR ME EVERY TIME. I THINK PANERAI IS TYPICAL ITALIAN I'M AFRAID...ALL SHOW JUST SKIN DEEP.

[Rollie2011]

Originally Posted by Johnnybonkel

Ii HAD FROM NEW A 44MM pam 89 TITANIUM...HATED IT.
AFTER 2 YEARS THE HANDS CORRODED (ACTUALLY IF YOU LOOK ON EBAY YOU CAN SEE ONE ON THERE WITH SAME PROBLEM). sERVICE CENTER SAID AIR TIGHT GASKETS HAD GONE (i WORE THIS THING FOR LIKE A FEW WEEKS! SENT IT BACK TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REPLACED THEM. 2 YEARS LATER THE POWER RESERVE WAS DOWN TO JUST 12 HOURS. SENT IT BACK TO SERVICE CENTER - THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND IT WAS STILL SAME. THE AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT SENDS SO MUCH VIBES THROUGH YOUR WRIST ITS IRRATATING. JUST MY VIEW BUT IT'S ROLEX FOR ME EVERY TIME. I THINK PANERAI IS TYPICAL ITALIAN I'M AFRAID...ALL SHOW JUST SKIN DEEP.

Caps lock much?

[h999r]

Thanks for the input guys.
But Johnnybonkel input is quit interesting too.

[tray_18]

The PAM 311/275 would has been my first pick for years i have wanted 1. Now that i have joined the forum less is more with the panerai
I would go a 233,270 or a 111 imo

[MrJ320]

From posts I've read Panerai's non in-house auto mvmts do have some wobble to them, so I think it's a matter of whether you think you can live with it (never played with the non in-house autos myself). I've had a 320 before my 233, and the in-house auto doesn't wobble, but the rotor is also not as quiet as say the Sub-C. However, I didn't find it to be annoyingly loud. I would say that you should definitely try the autos first to see what you think of them if you decide on an auto PAM.

Not to defend Panerai or anything, and I haven't had to service my 233 yet, but so far no complaints about the build quality and accuracy of my PAM. I've had it for 1 1/2 years now, and it's pretty much my daily wearer. The 8 day reserve is closer to 10 days, and my watch gains about +1 sec/day consistently. Just want to give another perspective.

If not the 233, I think that the 111 is a good choice as well unless you are set on getting something with an in-house mvmt. I also like the 390 a lot but I think that may be a bit harder to find, and quite a bit more than the 111.

Cheers,
James

[zeroshiki]

talk about loud rotor... you should hear the JLC ceramic bearing rotors sometime, zipityzipppp... :D the automatic non-inhouse movt pams has the signature wobble because it's based on valjoux 7750.

anyways, to answer OP question, if the pam chronos are really singing you to, then by all means go get them. but at least try to get a pre-owned piece, so that if you ever get tired of it, you can flip for the historic models with minimal damage(loss).

[David S]

If it's possible you should go to the panerai boutique and look at several models so you can decide what you like best. If your budget is 10,000 you will have several options. I heard that getting a 44mm over 42mm is better because people in the Panerai market typically prefer 44mm over 42 (bigger is better). However, the 47mm are absurd in my opinion. Finally, you should know that Panerai watches are heavier than say a Rolex. I have found myself at work removing my Panerai constantly. Good luck.

[Rodentman]

I like the rotor wobble on the 7750 variants. You can hear the noise and then get that satisfying "clicking" when the rotor spins the proper direction to effectuate winding. (That movement winds only 1 direction.)

[toulouse]

I like how the guy says he likes the chronos and everyone is steering him away from what he likes and to what they like instead.

There's several chrono choices, some discontinued, and some you can get preowned too. There's the 310, (which is 40mm), the 356 daylight, the 212 flyback(which I own )the 356 flyback, there's also some great rads like the 288, 369 (42mm), the 242, which I love. Just research as much as possible and though everyone means well here, the majority love the base, and less complicated. My thoughts are as you get more into the world of Pam, you'll want a base as well. But follow your gut.

I really love my watches with complications but also see the beauty in the base as well (that's why one is on my short list as a next pam).

All of the watches I listed above are around 9-10k brand new or less. And much less, pre-owned. I'm sure I left some out, and there are some real beauties but over 10k.

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by toulouse

I like how the guy says he likes the chronos and everyone is steering him away from what he likes and to what they like instead.

There's several chrono choices, some discontinued, and some you can get preowned too. There's the 310, (which is 40mm), the 356 daylight, the 212 flyback(which I own )the 356 flyback, there's also some great rads like the 288, 369 (42mm), the 242, which I love. Just research as much as possible and though everyone means well here, the majority love the base, and less complicated. My thoughts are as you get more into the world of Pam, you'll want a base as well. But follow your gut.

I really love my watches with complications but also see the beauty in the base as well (that's why one is on my short list as a next pam).

All of the watches I listed above are around 9-10k brand new or less. And much less, pre-owned. I'm sure I left some out, and there are some real beauties but over 10k.

Very well put and my thoughts exactly. Heru asks for opinions on chrono with bracelet and everyone tells him hat they like, not what he was asking.

Heru I, like you...LOVE chrono's and when I decided to get my first Pam, it was a 188 Daylight. Many Paneristi prefer less complicated and only on straps which is fine but the chrono's are great looking too!

Several discontinued models so a good place to start looking is on the reference page on paneresti.com or google. At your price point or less, lots to chose from. And by the way, older style bracelets are some of the best looking bracelets of any manufacturer in my opinion. Love those curved links!

Good luck and post pics of what you get!

[FNFZ4]

Pam 140

[DoxaDavid]

I see from today's WRUW thread Heru bought a 339 composite.

Very cool and congrats. Wear it in good health!

[mastermixer]

I really like Panerai as a whole, the only problem I have had is that most do not fit me comfortably, maybe it is just my wrist size though.

Depends if your going new or used but I really like the 233 and 372.

[vintagewaferthin]

I'd go for a Pam radiomir 183.