Good First Panerai?

[Fiddy]

my first PAM was 241. I worn it for 2 years and I needed something bigger.
After 241, 359 was the only automatic Panerai.
I think manual movement is CLASSIC.

I think 111/112/000/005 are the best to start.
Price in secondary market is quite fair.

BTW, congrats in advance.

[dgr8dude]

005 all the way!

[eric23]

Originally Posted by dgr8dude

005 all the way!

Does the 005 have the sandwich dail?

[dgr8dude]

nope....sausage dial :)

[dgr8dude]

cheaper than the 111 too...

[andrew79]

Mine was 000, then switched to 111 in just a week time... it really depends on what type sings to you louder....

[runs_wscissors]

Originally Posted by bicismith

im going crazy deciding between the explorer2, gmt, and pam 111, 112 and 183,210...

I am so in this boat too... I've been lurking and browsing for 2 months now. I like the 210, 177 and the 312/359, which I realize covers a lot of different styles and price ranges. The look of the leather band is more appealing to my significant other, who wants to help me get my first mechanical watch. I want to wear and not worry so I keep going back to the 16570 explorer II. I don't know how you guys do it, but $5000 is my limit and that itself can buy a lot of other fun and useful things. It's been an enjoyable learning curve and as a mech. eng. I really appreciate the function aspect of these pieces.

[bicismith]

On Thursday, I went to a few stores and tried on every rolex and panerai I could find. Since before purchasing the pam104 a few months ago I had originally intended on getting a rolex, and thought I'd finally go this route.

FYI, I sold the pam104 earlier this week.

But after owning the panerai I could not get past the busy dial and overall small appearance of the Rolexes and the cyclops, while better than the panerai, still detracted from the overall appearance of the watch, imo.

So I decided to get a panerai. After trying on quite a few the radiomir was my favorite. It's much more comfortable and lighter weight on my wrist than the pam104 was, and I still thought the luminor manual winds were a bit bulky to my liking. they were better than the automatic pam104 though.

Yesterday a fellow paneristi offered first class service and delivered me a brand new 380N to my door, and he surprised me with a Panerai T-shirt as an added bonus.

The first winding was a joy, and I'm glad I went with the manual.

Here's a poor photo from a bar last night:

[red1108nyc]

First was a 111G and its still here in the family!

[eric23]

Originally Posted by bicismith

On Thursday, I went to a few stores and tried on every rolex and panerai I could find. Since before purchasing the pam104 a few months ago I had originally intended on getting a rolex, and thought I'd finally go this route.

FYI, I sold the pam104 earlier this week.

But after owning the panerai I could not get past the busy dial and overall small appearance of the Rolexes and the cyclops, while better than the panerai, still detracted from the overall appearance of the watch, imo.

So I decided to get a panerai. After trying on quite a few the radiomir was my favorite. It's much more comfortable and lighter weight on my wrist than the pam104 was, and I still thought the luminor manual winds were a bit bulky to my liking. they were better than the automatic pam104 though.

Yesterday a fellow paneristi offered first class service and delivered me a brand new 380N to my door, and he surprised me with a Panerai T-shirt as an added bonus.

The first winding was a joy, and I'm glad I went with the manual.

Here's a poor photo from a bar last night:

Great photo! It's always good to have few drinks after you get a watch to brake it in

[eric23]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

First was a 111G and its still here in the family!

Nice!

[Ultraman]

Another noob question on PAMs..

With PAMs serial (eg: J, K, N), how can I differentiate the year they are manufacture? Do they vary in prices as well?

[bicismith]

Originally Posted by Ultraman

Another noob question on PAMs..

With PAMs serial (eg: J, K, N), how can I differentiate the year they are manufacture? Do they vary in prices as well?

Year Designator
Panerai watches are dated by a letter that appears before the production number.

No Letter - 1997
A - 1998
B - 1999
C - 2000
D - 2001
E - 2002
F - 2003
G - 2004
H - 2005
I - 2006
J - 2007
K - 2008
L - 2009
M - 2010
N - 2011

[Ultraman]

Originally Posted by bicismith

Year Designator
Panerai watches are dated by a letter that appears before the production number.

No Letter - 1997
A - 1998
B - 1999
C - 2000
D - 2001
E - 2002
F - 2003
G - 2004
H - 2005
I - 2006
J - 2007
K - 2008
L - 2009
M - 2010
N - 2011

Thanks mate!

[ExpII]

Originally Posted by eric23

That sounds like a crazy road you went down.

Maybe I should stick with Rolex I only flipped 2 watches in over 4 years.

I do like the Pam Subs too (24&25).

The PAM 24 is a sweet watch.

[runs_wscissors]

Originally Posted by bicismith

F - 2003
G - 2004
H - 2005
I - 2006
J - 2007
K - 2008
L - 2009
M - 2010
N - 2011

Hey, those letters are in ORDER! What fun is it trying to figure out if V is older than M or Z?

[timlaw]

I agree that trying all models on is vital. I bought a 49 as my first PAM 4 years ago and still looks as good as the day I bought it. I think the 40mm luminor wears bigger than 40mm due to the crown protector. any choice is a good one tho.

[eric23]

I went with the 210, I am liking it!

[barstoolman]

Originally Posted by eric23

If I was you I would get a Rolex, if you don't have one. They are the best watch for the price but that is just me.

Have you seen their list prices lately????? They are hardly the best watch for the price nowadays. Love them still but new ones from an AD are at prices I just won't pay.....just my .02

[esm]

Originally Posted by barstoolman

Have you seen their list prices lately????? They are hardly the best watch for the price nowadays. Love them still but new ones from an AD are at prices I just won't pay.....just my .02

Same can be said for almost every luxury/high end brands at the ADs.

[eric23]

Originally Posted by barstoolman

Have you seen their list prices lately????? They are hardly the best watch for the price nowadays. Love them still but new ones from an AD are at prices I just won't pay.....just my .02

That is true, but most AD's will give a high discount on Rolex, not that much on Panerai.

I love them both and now have both, but I would say first high-end watch should be a Rolex. but that is just me.