Which Pam?

[Markg]

i am shopping for a pam, but there are few dealers out here in california, and even less stock (perhaps that is the case everywhere...) so i cant just go looking at them, and instead have to look on the internet, which frankly isnt that great at finding what i want.

what i want:

stainless (unless there is more to the titanium than just weight)
no cyclops (unless they look much better in person)
display back is essential
strap is essential
automatic would be nice but not essential
gmt would be nice but not essential
i dont know what else....

i like the 111 style, doesnt look too complicated, but i would like an autowinder if one exists given my contraints. and i couldnt find a chart that helped me select what i wanted.

any ideas?

[mking0714]

Decisions! decisions!.
There is a Panerai boutique in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
Chad the manager is a great guy and very knowledgeable ally.
Tourneau has a decent amount in Century City as well.
I suggest going with a Black Seal as your entry level.
Classic, stylish and safe.......
Then after you're done with that, go for the Luminor and the Submersibles!.
Good Luck!

[Thani]

check out the pam88, i think its what your looking for.

good luck

and dont worry about the cyclops, im sure ull like it in person

[martinlag]

If you are up in Nor Cal, Shreve always has a few on hand. Chatel Co. in Carmel (where I picked up my 005) had quite a few in stock as well.

I would just send them an email and see what they have in stock.

[hienpham04]

When I first saw the PAMs in person, the website doesn't justify the beauty of these watches. My first impression was WOW! I'm in the same shoes as you, Mark. Decision is harder than Rolex, since most PAMs do look alike. After researching so many days, I decided definitely to get a PAM287, then either a PAM90 or PAM104. You really need to visit a dealer.

[Markg]

Originally Posted by martinlag

If you are up in Nor Cal, Shreve always has a few on hand. Chatel Co. in Carmel (where I picked up my 005) had quite a few in stock as well.

I would just send them an email and see what they have in stock.

thanks, i talked to chatel, and they said they had quite a few.
shreve is normally a pain and doesnt have much of anything (the palo alto store). they have another couple stores, but they are quite far. i think i will hit carmel this weekend or next.

[Markg]

Originally Posted by hienpham04

When I first saw the PAMs in person, the website doesn't justify the beauty of these watches. My first impression was WOW! I'm in the same shoes as you, Mark. Decision is harder than Rolex, since most PAMs do look alike. After researching so many days, I decided definitely to get a PAM287, then either a PAM90 or PAM104. You really need to visit a dealer.

i like the 90 and 104; and the 005; do they have clear backs?

[mach330]

Originally Posted by Markg

i like the 90 and 104; and the 005; do they have clear backs?

i have the 90 and it certainly does not have a clear back. i love it tho as my first pam.

[hienpham04]

Originally Posted by Markg

i like the 90 and 104; and the 005; do they have clear backs?

005 is a clear backcase, where the 90 and 104 are not. I believed the automatic movements are not clear backcase. I liked the clear backcase a lot, but the automatic is a must for me. After owning Rolex, the manual wind seems too much work for me. I just want to put it on, and go.

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by hienpham04

005 is a clear backcase, where the 90 and 104 are not. I believed the automatic movements are not clear backcase. I liked the clear backcase a lot, but the automatic is a must for me. After owning Rolex, the manual wind seems too much work for me. I just want to put it on, and go.

Correct on the auto's being closed back. I have the 104 and love it. The variation to the 104 is the 164....different minute markers..dots instead of sticks. Both are great...but the 88 is my next watch.

Don't know where in Ca. you are...but Davidson & Licht in Walnut Creek had a pretty good selection. Or if you're near Carmel....there's an actual PANERAI store right off of Ocean Blvd. ( selectively right across the street from the Rolex store....)

I think RobRobin ( member here on TRF) still has a reallll nice 88 for sale in the sales section.

good luck!

[Markg]

Originally Posted by pwrslider

Don't know where in Ca. you are...but Davidson & Licht in Walnut Creek had a pretty good selection. Or if you're near Carmel....there's an actual PANERAI store right off of Ocean Blvd. ( selectively right across the street from the Rolex store....)

im about 1.5 hours from either, so will have to pace the trips!

[bimmer]

Originally Posted by Markg

i like the 90 and 104; and the 005; do they have clear backs?

I don't think any of them have clear case back. I think only the manual wind (perhaps except some special edition) have clear case back. 111 would be a great choice. You can look at 183 Black Seal as well.

[David1971]

Originally Posted by hienpham04

005 is a clear backcase, where the 90 and 104 are not.

00005 does NOT have clear caseback.

[BigHat]

Especially if you want an in-house movement. Great display back, no cyclops, GMT feature (done elegantly and without a bunch of numbers around the bezel).

[hienpham04]

Matt, now that's a nice PAM

[boa2]

Hamilton Jeweler's in Sacramento has an excellent selection, and they're great people. Hugues at Chatel is also great. If you go to Carmel this weekend, PM me so we can hook up for a coffee or some watch browsing.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Especially if you want an in-house movement. Great display back, no cyclops, GMT feature (done elegantly and without a bunch of numbers around the bezel).

Nice one, Matt! I absolutely LOVE the 233! And the 190 as well, though it is discontinued.

[Markg]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Especially if you want an in-house movement. Great display back, no cyclops, GMT feature (done elegantly and without a bunch of numbers around the bezel).

looks great! is the 233 and 270 essentially the same with just the extra two days reserve?

[Markg]

Originally Posted by boa2

If you go to Carmel this weekend, PM me so we can hook up for a coffee or some watch browsing.

if i go on the weekend, my wife will be with me. i have to do watch browsing stealth (in other words, "hey look at that store, lets go in for a minute"). she knows nothing good comes from me going into a watch store, and has been known to wait outside ....)

but if i go during the week, which i may have to do to really browse for any period of time (which i want to do), i'll let you know.

[pwrslider]

Mark....

There are plenty of girls stores on Ocean.....just send her in...and run to the Panerai store.....

If it was my wife...I'd have a good 2 hrs. before she even realized I was missing!!

[Markg]

i just figured out the 270 is a automatic watch WITH the crystal back. i emailed chatel to see if they had one (and what else they had). lets see what they say, although im tapped out for a couple months (bought too damn many watches lately, and picking another one up friday...)

[martinlag]

Originally Posted by pwrslider

Mark....

There are plenty of girls stores on Ocean.....just send her in...and run to the Panerai store.....

If it was my wife...I'd have a good 2 hrs. before she even realized I was missing!!

I'd be down to meet in Carmel as well! Hughes owes me a Historic Catalog and other PAM goodies.

Mini GTG perhaps?