Need some advice...372 or 424?

[Cabaiguan]

Well, the big 40 is around the corner and I'd like to get a PAM to celebrate the occasion. I went into the Madison Ave boutique today to try on a few Panerai. I came away impressed by both the 372 and 424 Cali dial. What gorgeous pieces! In fact, too nice... can't really decide between the two.

My first hurdle was making sure they didn't look ridiculous on my 6.5" wrist. My wrists are very flat and they both looked much better than expected. See pics below. My first inclination is toward the 424 Cali dial. Love the dial layout and the fact that it wears smaller than the 372 despite both being 47mm. However, I'm a sucker for plexi and the no-date dial on the 372 is so, so clean.

I can only afford one, so no "buy both" comments!Although that seems to be the solution to my problem. Thoughts? Advice? Which would you go for?

424 with the sweet Cali dial


372 with the plexi


Side by side...

[TAKUYA]

372 for me in this case. I like the Rad style but i just dont like the logo on 424, and its not a real Cali dial since it has the date at "3", it makes the watch looks silly to me though.

P.s. they both look good on your wrist.

[TSW]

372 for me, The date on the 424 kills it for me.

[Cabaiguan]

Another pro with the 372 is that I intend the watch to be for casual wear. Not having to set the date makes it much easier to pick it up and go.

[joleel7]

372 for me all PAM DNA can be found in 372

[tudorluv]

new fan of the 372 - very attractive piece

[Cru Jones]

Personally, I wouldn't get sucked into the DNA nonsense. These are new watches, and one will be on your wrist. Buy what you like, especially for a milestone birthday.

I think the 424 is great. The logo adds a little visual interest to the blank dial area, the gold hands are sharp, and the date is useful and, from a distance, doesn't distract from the Cali layout. Also, it being a Rad, it will wear smaller and it does look a little better on your wrist, though it seems that the 372 works, too. I would take it over a 448 (the "vintage" and "California" engravings kill that piece for me), though I would probably take a 249 over a 424 if I had to make the choice and the 249's higher price weren't an issue.

Is the 424 totally historically accurate? No. Neither is the 372. They are both modern watches with historical touches (372 having more of a historic "feel").

Don't get me wrong, the 372 is a great watch (the branding on the dial might be a bit bold for my taste, but the case and plexi are so cool). I just don't think the 424 should be dismissed offhand.

I haven't looked into 424 pricing, but, my guess is that the 372 will take less of a hit if you buy from the boutique and sell later. Something to keep in mind, but, IMHO, not a reason to buy one watch over another.

Good luck with the choice and Happy pre-Birthday!

[Cabaiguan]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Personally, I wouldn't get sucked into the DNA nonsense. These are new watches, and one will be on your wrist. Buy what you like, especially for a milestone birthday.

I think the 424 is great. The logo adds a little visual interest to the blank dial area, the gold hands are sharp, and the date is useful and, from a distance, doesn't distract from the Cali layout. Also, it being a Rad, it will wear smaller and it does look a little better on your wrist, though it seems that the 372 works, too. I would take it over a 448 (the "vintage" and "California" engravings kill that piece for me), though I would probably take a 249 over a 424 if I had to make the choice and the 249's higher price weren't an issue.

Is the 424 totally historically accurate? No. Neither is the 372. They are both modern watches with historical touches (372 having more of a historic "feel").

Don't get me wrong, the 372 is a great watch (the branding on the dial might be a bit bold for my taste, but the case and plexi are so cool). I just don't think the 424 should be dismissed offhand.

I haven't looked into 424 pricing, but, my guess is that the 372 will take less of a hit if you buy from the boutique and sell later. Something to keep in mind, but, IMHO, not a reason to buy one watch over another.

Good luck with the choice and Happy pre-Birthday!

Thanks Cru. Nice to here some different perspectives.

I showed my wife the pics last night and she likes the 424 better. She is not a fan of the crown guards on the Luminors. She's not wearing the watch though!

Here was another option taken at the IWC boutique.



The longer lugs on the BP just don't sit as well as the PAMs.

[echau]

I think the 372 looks better on your wrist.
It's good to see it on a 6.5" wrist since that's the size of my wrist as well. I've been wearing a 44mm Luminor (468) and I've been on the fence about getting a 47mm because I haven't had the opportunity to try one on. The 372 doesn't look too big, maybe because the flatter and thinner cushion case?

[F.Works]

For me the 372 .Definitively there is no color the 424 is too classic.

[jay_kay]

372!!! As others have said....Date kills the 424 dial!!

[sphereman]

372......all day everyday

[Travelller]

Congratulations on your pending cause for celebration

You've also managed to select two of the nicer 2012 models available, which means you can't go wrong either way

Besides the obvious characteristics you mentioned, you also need to consider if your first PAM should have a sandwich dial or not (the cali being a "printed" dial). The 372 (and 422, 423...) have also the unique characteristic of engraved lettering (almost all PAMs have printed lettering).

Having said that, these two new PAMs are generally-speaking a nod to Panerai's short but rich history. As has often been the case, OP has made slight modifications so that they're not 1-1 with the vintage models. This bothers the DNAers like myself somewhat, such as the date on a cali dial, etc. A PAM that does not portray a vintage (or PRE-V) Panerai makes it no less of a PAM.

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Personally, I wouldn't get sucked into the DNA nonsense. These are new watches...

I think the term "nonsense" is a bit crude coming from you; having said that, we can say that we have different opinions on said topic.

You want a "new" PAM, then look to a Submersible, a complications model, PAMs with 12 numbers, central seconds-hand, white dials, indexed-seconds dials, cyclops, so on. There are more than enough PAM models in current production that have little to do with DNA.

If you go with a 000 or 111 or 176 or 219 or 380 or 372 or 424 or a 449 and everything in those product lines then you (and OP) are attracted to Panerai (vintage and PRE-V) DNA...

[GermanyMatt]

The IWC is much too large for you. The 424 looks the best on you IMO, but agree with others that the date function is a bit of a downer - although still one gorgeous watch. So I'd go 372, but IMO the 424 is better looking watch on your wrist.

[Friedl41]

I had a Big Pilot and sold it ... Twice .... Because i always thought it looked too big ... Now i got a 372 and love it ... It is bigger but does wear smaller .... If you worry, get a ooo or 111 ... Work your way up from 44 to 47 mm

And yes, i think, too, the date kills the lok of the california dial ...

[Cabaiguan]

Ok, folks...I've made a decision and it'll be here on Thursday. Shout out to an anonymous TRF'er for steering me straight.

HINT: It's a PAM but NOT a 372 nor 424.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by cabaiguan

ok, folks...i've made a decision and it'll be here on thursday. Shout out to an anonymous trf'er for steering me straight.

Hint: It's a pam but not a 372 nor 424.

425?

[jay_kay]

422!!!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Travelller

I think the term "nonsense" is a bit crude coming from you; having said that, we can say that we have different opinions on said topic.

In my defense, you did quote me a little out of context. Or, at least, I did try to develop the use of the "nonsense" word in my post.

Anyway, I definitely have a more eclectic taste when it comes to Panerai than some and I also try to consider each piece outside of a "DNA prism".

Originally Posted by Cabaiguan

Ok, folks...I've made a decision and it'll be here on Thursday. Shout out to an anonymous TRF'er for steering me straight.

HINT: It's a PAM but NOT a 372 nor 424.

Awesome news!! Can't wait to find out what you chose. And cool that a TRF'er could help.

[Cabaiguan]

Originally Posted by TSW

425?

Warm.

[cwilson13]

If you like the Cali dial, pass on the 424 and find yourself a nice preowned 249.

[TAKUYA]

Originally Posted by cwilson13

If you like the Cali dial, pass on the 424 and find yourself a nice preowned 249.

Why you have to pay around $10k - $11k for the normal/simple movement (cheap) and pre-owned condition. Understand that its a first Cali dial, But is it really worth that much money?

[vkl]

If you like the Cali dial, go with the 249 or the 448. No date. Nice and clean.

[lig]

I love the 372

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by Cabaiguan

Ok, folks...I've made a decision ... HINT: It's a PAM but NOT a 372 nor 424.

I'm on the edge of my seat.

[Betelc]

I would choose the 372 because I like my Pams with crown guards. The 372 also comes across as more utilitarian compared to the 424 (my personal opinion). I would pass the BP; had it once but let it go. Like you, my wrist is almost the same size as well as flat. The crown digs into my veins causing the wearing to be an uncomfortable experience.

[texex91]

448? Can't wait to see what u got!

[Survivor]

Originally Posted by Cabaiguan

Thanks Cru. Nice to here some different perspectives.

I showed my wife the pics last night and she likes the 424 better. She is not a fan of the crown guards on the Luminors. She's not wearing the watch though!

Here was another option taken at the IWC boutique.



The longer lugs on the BP just don't sit as well as the PAMs.

There you go............that's a much better choice!!!!!

Here's its cousin saying "hi"

[nishant]

There are many PAMs buy only one 372 .. But there are just too many PAMs and IMO, a BP is a Big Pilot !!! And towers above them all ..

Get a BP !

[TAKUYA]

BP is very different watch (i used to like it a lot until i tried it on.... too big for me). And from his wrist shot with BP, so i don't think it fits good though??? from those wrist shots, i can tell the 372 is over BP.