Thoughts on new 15th Any Paneristi 634

[toocustom]

I am sorry if this has been posted about before. Just curious on everyone's thoughts.

For a young man like me who has long lusted after Submariners and Luminors, when a watch comes around like the Black Bay or this PAM, at a reasonably affordable price it is extremely attractive. I really have a great desire to own a Panerai, and this one with a retail of $4,200 USD is very exciting when many can reach $10k+ easily. Now I understand this is not the same as a super fancy 47mm 1950s PAM with an in house movement. But after all, price cuts come with costs.

At what cost though? On the positive, we have the always classic Panerai Luminor design. Painted dial, "patina" lume (which I like), blue base logo (which I also like), traditional crown guard. Other features some view as cons and this is where I am curious on your opinion. This would be the spring bars (although some of their 1950's models have them and the screw-ins can become loose with wear), one piece bezel and case (so I guess the bezel can't be swapped out and replaced), OP I movement 56hr reserve (aka 6497) and probably the worst of all is the snap on caseback giving only 100m water resistance.

Now I will never go past 10 feet deep in water so over 300 ft of resistance is just fine for me, but I still feel like the snap back is a bit lame (for lack of a better word). I like the spring bars personally, especially since the lugs have drilled holes. I think that makes for easy strap changes. I don't at all mind the workhorse 6497 and I am pretty sure Panerai is bringing us the top of the line version with their own tweaks included. Also, I dont see the issue with the case either. If anything doesn't it make it more resilient? The Black Bay has been enormously popular and I think Panerai has a chance to compete on that level too.

Is discussing this watch pointless? I don't think so. I know this is a limited run which would probably be difficult to obtain unless part of the group but many are saying that Panerai wouldn't produce this new Luminor case if they didn't intend on releasing future products utilizing the same design so more models at this price may be available soon to the public.

Sorry for the short story but I would love to know what you guys think.

[Cru Jones]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=420112

[toocustom]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=420112

Lol. To be fair I did a search before posting this thread. IDK how I missed that. Thanks though. I still think it's a decent watch. Interested to see what they do next with the case.

[RUpanerai]

This will probably be the case that replaces the 000 and 005 to keep the price down.

This better come in a BIG box!

[Watcheroo]

I kinda like it. Might pick one up when they come out. 👍

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by Watcheroo

I kinda like it. Might pick one up when they come out. 👍

Apparently, potential buyers have to register through P.com and tell a boutique that they want one.

[kaiserphoenix]

What I dont understand is did they really have to cheap out on the case and spring bars to bring porices down?? I mean surely they could just use the same case and everything....Instead they have to provide something of inferior quality, only to still charge $4200 which they make it sound like a bargain when its not......

[Watcheroo]

Originally Posted by jhcam8

Apparently, potential buyers have to register through P.com and tell a boutique that they want one.

Boutique's got my name on the first one they get ;)

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by Watcheroo

Boutique's got my name on the first one they get ;)

[ackevinb]

you should check out pam360

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by ackevinb

you should check out pam360

Sure - there's one for sale for only 4x + the price of the 634.

[nick c]

Originally Posted by jhcam8

Sure - there's one for sale for only 4x + the price of the 634.

If you can find one

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by nick c

If you can find one

[tomcorkery]

I like the blue logo. Looks like it will be a hard get due to low production

[topgear]

Anyone managed to get one ?

[nick c]

I would not buy it

[Psmith]

Something of a souvenir piece. Of little interest to me, but I'm sure it's OK in person and that the intended audience will be happy enough.

[Calogero1]

Would need to see this in person. It's currently a toss up. I wouldn't get rid of my current Pam 000 for it .

[Urosfan]

Gotta see it live first

[toocustom]

Originally Posted by topgear

Anyone managed to get one ?

I wish, tempted to head to the boutique though. Scared of what I might leave with.

[Lemarp]

Snap back case and springbars?

Yikes...

[10after10]

Doent panerai collaborate with paneristi to see what they want and put it together for them?
Or does panerai just put whatever together and pretty much say "this is what you guys get for this anniversary"

I always thought paneristi pieces were something of an collaborative effort

[Preeble]

My understanding is that historically, it has been mixed. I believe there was p.com involvement with the 195, but I'm not sure how much. I believe the 360 had heavy involvement (but lots of controversy of its distribution) and the 532 had little involvement. I believe that the 634 had little to moderate involvement, but I can't be sure.

I think the 634 was a great gesture and great price point, but there are things that I would clearly change. Nonetheless, I think it is a solid watch (I have one).

Snapback doesn't bother me much - I'm not a diver and the case will be resistant enough at the beach or pool. I suspect that if I were a serious diver that I would choose something else anyway.

[Timir22]

Preeble +1