Loving the 268

[learningtofly]

Going back a year or so I had my first taste of Panerai when I traded a Daytona for a Luminor PAM233. The 233 was actually a stunning watch but it was possibly a little too clunky for my relatively small wrist; in any event, whilst I really did like it I accepted a request to reverse the trade a few weeks later. I really missed that watch (and still do) but in part it was because of the movement - a hand wound in-house calibre with three barrels providing an 8-day power reserve. Spectacular, actually, but even when I owned the watch I was looking at the Radiomirs that were of similar quality. The one that struck a chord was the 268 but I soon pretty much forgot about it. Until, that is, I was offered one in a trade a month or so ago...

The Radiomir PAM268 was only the third Panerai, I think, to be fitted with an in-house movement (the other two - the PAM200 and the PAM201 - were both Special editions from 2005). The movement in all three was the Calibre P.2002, which took it's name from the year in which Panerai launched it's project to produce fully in-house movements from it's Manufacture in Neuchatel. It's a pretty thing to, as you can see...



Here’s what Officine Panerai has to say about it:

The P.2002 calibre consists of 247 components; it has 21 jewels and a thickness of 6.6 millimetres. Hand-wound and with a power reserve of 8 days with linear indicator on the dial, it has the characteristics peculiar to all the calibres of the P.2000 series: great structural strength; three spring barrels; rapid adjustment of local time; free-sprung balance; balance wheel oscillating at 28,800 alternations per hour (a frequency which is unusual in a movement with a large power reserve).

The three spring barrels in series, the design of which is an Officine Panerai patent, ensures the delivery of an even, optimal force which remains stable for 8 days, thus delivering a force which is constant for all the days of the power reserve.

So, beautiful on the inside, and to my mind beautiful on the outside too. The Radiomirs are all relatively large but they have a knack of wearing much more easily than one might think. The wire lugs don’t really add to the size of the case, and the shape itself means that the head sits pretty low on the wrist.

Should you be wondering how the 268 compares to the 233 (aside from the case design), the particular iteration of the movement in the 268 (the P.2002/3) has no GMT function and no seconds reset; having said that, the fact that the hour hand moves in one-hour increments kind of negates the loss of a second time zone, at least in as much as you can change zones without having to mess with the minute hand. For me, the 268 is far better in terms of size and fit, but obviously both Rads and Luminors have their merits and both are in their own way rather lovely.

Right, that’s enough nonsense, so here are a few photos :)

[nishant]

Love the watch !!! Fantastic catch .. The cyclops is the only thing that prevented me from pulling the trigger but I may have to reconsider in near future ..

[learningtofly]

It's a lovely thing for sure. Just took this one...

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[travisb]

Amazing Rad, Tony!
You could never get tired of looking at that brilliant dial. Or movement for that matter.
Congrats!!

[red1108nyc]

Lovely piece with a wonderful engine! I also think the Rads are so comfortable to wear like you said with the thinner yet sleek profile.

Super piece and enjoy in good health!

Best,

Fred

[learningtofly]

Cheers guys

[Travelller]

Wow, that's one beautiful Radiomir! Thanks for the excellent review and great photographs - makes be both want one and happy to have my 233

[Cru Jones]

Very nice write up and superb reference.

[kilyung]

Great pics Tony

[Hairdude1]

nice write up! Cool pics too

[mgioia16]

amazing pics! I actually just listed mine for sale as it wasn't seeing enough wrist time, but now you have me second guessing the decision

[red1108nyc]

these 45mm rads are really just beautiful... can't stop looking at these pictures!

[learningtofly]

Thanks guys :)

[TswaneNguni]

Fantastic photos !

[DiverAsia]

I really appreciate those of you willing to share your story of how and why you bought your Pam.
Thanks for the write up and info on your beautiful 268 Tony.
Cheers!
Wear it in the best of health!

[learningtofly]

And thank you for your very kind comments.

[Explorertwo]

Indeed great write-up and stunning pictures!!
Thank for sharing Tony!
Greeting!

[nick c]

Very nice