Pam 533

[Ruud Van Driver]

Hey guys, need some help here. I'm Rolex through and through but I'm really jonesing for something different. I was a hair's breadth from pulling the trigger on a Pam 533 today. I was offered 10% by the local (and only) boutique but an AD offered me 12%.

Both discounts seem pretty reasonable to me but I know nothing about Panerai. Is that sort of discount good or could I do a lot better? I don't want to go down the route of a trusted seller, I want to buy from an AD.

This watch really sang to me but don't want to buy in haste to find I could've done better elsewhere.

[Tmac478]

Looks really good on you. I own a 000 and like to mix it up with my Rolexes. Completely different look and feel.

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[Trog]

I recently got 12% discount from my local AD on a new 424.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Just made a couple of phone calls back to the UK. It retails at £500 (US$750) more there and there's no discount. Sounds like a no brainer to buy it at 12% discount here and the added bonus of 6% tax back when it leaves the country.

[Cru Jones]

For sure that's an excellent price. Not too long ago, the best deal was one ore maybe two straps. Zero discount.

Looking forward to the incoming! You're going to love changing things up with your Rolexes. PAM and Rolex go well together in a collection.

[denmanproject]

Sweet PAM!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

For sure that's an excellent price. Not too long ago, the best deal was one ore maybe two straps. Zero discount.

Looking forward to the incoming! You're going to love changing things up with your Rolexes. PAM and Rolex go well together in a collection.

Thanks, Cru

One AD in London said that they might throw in a strap, the other said no discount on Panerai so it does indeed sound like a real sweet deal. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and see how I feel in the morning. Considering that I've stated on here on more than one occasion that other brands don't interest me, I'm surprised how loud that 533 sang to me. It blew my skirt up like no other since my D-Blue.

[fai9al]

Stunning one!

[Minimalist]

It does look really good on you as others have said and with the added bonus of the discount and overall cheaper price you can't go wrong! It definitely is a nice mix with Rolex, I know I enjoy my PAM 312. And with reference to it blowing your skirt up, Panerai seem to have that effect lol

Good luck and look forward to the incoming ;)

[nick c]

Great piece best of luck

[Robbie68]

I'd agree, looks great. I have a 449 and a Deep Blue amongst others and the Rolex would go before the Panerai if I had to make the choice.

[Ian Macdermott]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Thanks, Cru

One AD in London said that they might throw in a strap, the other said no discount on Panerai so it does indeed sound like a real sweet deal. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and see how I feel in the morning. Considering that I've stated on here on more than one occasion that other brands don't interest me, I'm surprised how loud that 533 sang to me. It blew my skirt up like no other since my D-Blue.

You will not regret it I now have 2 Pams and both times I had set off to add another Rolex to the collection

The Pam AD in Nottingham I bought my 359 from was quite happy to discount for a cash sale around 12%. The ability to change the look of the watch with a simple and quick strap change is also additive.
Sounds like a no brainer buying where you are compared to the UK.


Post pictures when you get it.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

You will not regret it I now have 2 Pams and both times I had set off to add another Rolex to the collection

The Pam AD in Nottingham I bought my 359 from was quite happy to discount for a cash sale around 12%. The ability to change the look of the watch with a simple and quick strap change is also additive.
Sounds like a no brainer buying where you are compared to the UK.


Post pictures when you get it.

I've just been in another AD having a mooch. I was shown the 359 and it's beautiful in its simplicity. The other one I thought was really nice was the 531. Again, another GMT function but the dial wasn't as 'clean' as the 533. Thing is, it was £3,000 cheaper (US$4,500), which is not to be sniffed at. Only real differences was the three day power reserve of the 531 as opposed to the ten days of the 533 and the dial was a bit busier.

Whilst I like the 531 and much prefer the price, I'm struggling to see past the 533

Here's the 531

[Minimalist]

Much prefer the dial of the 533 to the 531.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Minimalist

Much prefer the dial of the 533 to the 531.

Me too but trying to decide if I prefer it £3,000 more.

Here's a wristie from a couple of hours ago. Looks a bit big on a close up, but nothing new there.

[Ian Macdermott]

Its a beauty how about a 233 ?

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[brandrea]

That's a beauty, and I too much prefer the 533. The GMT hand and the am/pm indicator is sweet

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

Its a beauty how about a 233 ?

Sent from my LG-H440n using Tapatalk

I looked at one and tried it yesterday. Again, another beauty but doesn't stack up (in my eyes anyway) to the 533. There's something about the dial and the tan coloured hands on the dial and the matching script. Those colours are only on three references that I saw, the rest are all green.

Originally Posted by brandrea

That's a beauty, and I too much prefer the 533. The GMT hand and the am/pm indicator is sweet

It is a beauty, it really is special in the flesh.

[Ian Macdermott]

Looks like your sunk then The 533 is the one you want anything else will lead to regret later.

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[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

Looks like your sunk then The 533 is the one you want anything else will lead to regret later.

Sent from my LG-H440n using Tapatalk

Oh yes, it's 533 or nothing

[Minimalist]

Do you have a personal preference for an auto over a manual? While I think the 533 is an absolute gorgeous watch it's hard to not seriously consider the 233. It has a more domed crystal which personally I'm not sure I like, but the watch is overall thinner since it doesn't need a rotor.

The power reserve being more useful on the manual than on the automatic since the auto will always be charging while on your wrist. It is a tough choice but if you've made up your mind then no matter what anyone says, the 533 is going to be the one for you.

I do still think the 533 is real nice and love the polished look, I might have to get a full polished PAM at some point too. In any case you won't regret going for it, I'm sure. Just trying to help cover all aspects before you pull the trigger.

[Bholobinko]

533. I had a similar model (297) with the skeleton hands and didn't like as much. Far less classic. I know it's a lot more, but that 533 is a real stunner!!

[1st amg]

If I can give you a piece of advice on panerai from some long and painful journeys within the brand, buy the one that has sucked you in. I have many times bought the one that I thought was priced right or cheaper than the one I really wanted. So I would buy one, two three or four Panerai thinking I would be content. Guess what, I sold them all and settled on the one I always wanted. I think that 533 looks incredible on you, I too love the look of it, if you buy the "cheaper" one to save 3000, you will no doubt sell it one day to fund the 533 and still take a bigger hit of losing more than 3000....and the thought of the 533 will still be haunting you. Good luck, a discount plus an extra strap or two is the way to go!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Minimalist

Do you have a personal preference for an auto over a manual? While I think the 533 is an absolute gorgeous watch it's hard to not seriously consider the 233. It has a more domed crystal which personally I'm not sure I like, but the watch is overall thinner since it doesn't need a rotor.

The power reserve being more useful on the manual than on the automatic since the auto will always be charging while on your wrist. It is a tough choice but if you've made up your mind then no matter what anyone says, the 533 is going to be the one for you.

I do still think the 533 is real nice and love the polished look, I might have to get a full polished PAM at some point too. In any case you won't regret going for it, I'm sure. Just trying to help cover all aspects before you pull the trigger.

Some thought provoking stuff there. I deliberately went to some different ADs today to try on some more Pams. Some really smart references but every single time I was drawn back to the 533. As I've said above, it's that combination of the tan numerals, markers, hands and script on the dial that match the (almost) distressed leather strap. Nothing has blown my skirt up like that since I first clapped eyes on the Duke 916 when it was launched about 20 years ago.

To be honest, I don't think I'd be bothered either way if it was manual or automatic. If I wear a particular Rolex for more than a week, I give it a wind anyway

Originally Posted by Bholobinko

533. I had a similar model (297) with the skeleton hands and didn't like as much. Far less classic. I know it's a lot more, but that 533 is a real stunner!!

If you haven't already, check one out in the flesh but leave your wallet home. Trust me on that one!

Originally Posted by 1st amg

If I can give you a piece of advice on panerai from some long and painful journeys within the brand, buy the one that has sucked you in. I have many times bought the one that I thought was priced right or cheaper than the one I really wanted. So I would buy one, two three or four Panerai thinking I would be content. Guess what, I sold them all and settled on the one I always wanted. I think that 533 looks incredible on you, I too love the look of it, if you buy the "cheaper" one to save 3000, you will no doubt sell it one day to fund the 533 and still take a bigger hit of losing more than 3000....and the thought of the 533 will still be haunting you. Good luck, a discount plus an extra strap or two is the way to go!

Some great advice there Nick, thank you You've pretty much said what Mrs Van D and me were saying over dinner tonight.

I'm going to hang fire for a few weeks; it's my birthday first week of August some I'm going to pull the trigger then. In the meantime, it gives me a chance to save a bit of extra cash and then I won't have any qualms about considering the (dangerous) option of saving a few bucks only to regret it later.

Many thanks for your thoughts and some great advice, guys. I really appreciate it

Here's one more of the 533. It really strikes me as a go anywhere, doing anything reference that despite its size, can fly under the radar.

[Minimalist]

Good luck bud and hope it all works out for you! Happy birthday in advance and make sure you get your warranty papers dated on your birthday, it'll be extra special to you then ;)

You're making the right choice with the 533, I know I'd be happy with it as my first or only PAM!

[sea-dweller]

Looks great!

[rolexnub]

Go ahead and get the 533 if it is the only Panerai you are going to have in your collection. I am pretty sure you will be very happy with it. It's got everything an auto movement has to offer plus the 10 days PR.

If I had extra money I would have gotten that as well but I settled instead for a 510 with 10 days PR but hand wound movement. Btw, I got 12% discount from an AD here in Canada just so you know.

Good luck and looking forward to your posted pics.

[mickyd329]

I've been doing some research as of late because I'm drawn to the brand lately myself. Looking to add one to the collection. That 533 is an awesome piece. In house auto movement with a 10 day power reserve. 10 days! Can't go wrong with that. At a good price on top of that. I say pull the trigger, don't look back, and enjoy that beautiful watch!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

If I can give you a piece of advice on panerai from some long and painful journeys within the brand, buy the one that has sucked you in. I have many times bought the one that I thought was priced right or cheaper than the one I really wanted. So I would buy one, two three or four Panerai thinking I would be content. Guess what, I sold them all and settled on the one I always wanted. I think that 533 looks incredible on you, I too love the look of it, if you buy the "cheaper" one to save 3000, you will no doubt sell it one day to fund the 533 and still take a bigger hit of losing more than 3000....and the thought of the 533 will still be haunting you. Good luck, a discount plus an extra strap or two is the way to go!

This is excellent advice! It's what I did when I chose my 164 (choosing it because I loved it, definitely not because it's a "Panerai DNA" piece or the best re-sale value), and five years later, I still have it, love it and wear it a lot.

Your birthday is just around the corner Ruud.... Looking forward to the incoming!

[CLuxlover]

This watch looks great on you!