Changed straps

[mike]

I put on the other strap that came with the 88. Man, I thought the rubber deployment was comfortable! This thing is sweet and the white stitching and buckle are a nice touch.

Some quick and dirties,

[mfer]

Sweet Mike. Get yourself a nice vintage one!!!!

Looking good!

[Welshwatchman]

The relief stitching on that strap gives the combination a really stunning look.

Some people have just TOO much style and taste !!

[rolex_addict]

beautiful!

[argee1977]

Within a week of your first panerai you've already started on the straps, you might start seeing the Rolex collection shrinking

[TswaneNguni]

Yeah Mike,here on "the dark side" of TRF we just looooooove a strap change !! Black/white stitch is always a winner !!!

You will notice with the 88 (Polished Luminor case/black dial ) that basically anything goes,strapwise.From black/light brown/dark brown/denim/orange red/red atc.etc.

Also,exciting is the fact that a strap change changes the look of the watch completely.

Another advantage of the strap is that unlike some other parts of the watch world,PAM owners do not spend any time counting all the new scratches on the bracelet and have elongated descussions on how to remove them.To the contrary,we actually sometimes buy vintage look straps thats already a bit "weathered" ... Talking about scratches,its very easy to keep the polished casing scratch free,with a bit of the cape cloth or wenol.I find it easier to polish,compared to the Rollies I owned.

Enjoy !!!

[Launch Mini]

Looks great.
In a couple days, it will feel even better once it shapes to your wrist a bit.
Let the fun begin now with different ones.
You will also find they "mature" and patina quite nicely too.

[mike]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Another advantage of the strap is that unlike some other parts of the watch world,PAM owners do not spend any time counting all the new scratches on the bracelet and have elongated descussions on how to remove them.

LOL! That's exactly what I was thinking.

In all honestly fit and finish of the 88 is the equal of any Rolex I've owned. I looked this watch over carefully. The 24. hour hand lines up perfectly with the 24 hr. markings on the dial. There is zero backlash when hacking the movement.

Case work and polish is the equal (or better) of anything I've had. The dial is a thing of beauty that photos really don't do justice too. It actually reminds me of the ornate vintage Rolex dials of a bigone era.

If there is any nit to pick, the 88 does not have the jump hour feature of the modern Rolex, but I got along just fine for a lot of years with the 1675/16750 series.

This will NOT be my last PANERAI.

A comparison,

[toph]

looking good- great watch and that strap looks brilliant
Enjoy

[Teofilo]

Mike I just love your photos. They always make your watches come alive !

Congratulations on your new PAM. It really says something for the Panerai brand when a Rolex- head like yourself buys one and compares it favourably to the benchmark brand.

[jgk200]

Luv the strap

[Vito_Corleone]

I love straps, I'm amassing a nice collection of them, lol. Putting a watch on a different strap is almost like getting a whole new watch.

[Trurolexer]

GREAT!!! ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!! Sir!!!

[arielc]

very nice mike like always.

[Trurolexer]

Mike, is that Rob montana or Strapculture?

[mike]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

Mike, is that Rob montana or Strapculture?

LOL! I honestly don't know TR. Joe says it's English saddle leather. There is a mark on the inside, but it doesn't say either of those makers.

I DO KNOW it's the most comfortable strap I have.
I love the thickness. Just seems to fit like a glove!!!

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by mike

LOL! I honestly don't know TR. Joe says it's English saddle leather. There is a mark on the inside, but it doesn't say either of those makers.

I DO KNOW it's the most comfortable strap I have.
I love the thickness. Just seems to fit like a glove!!!

Enjoy it. whatever it is, look so GREAT in your wrist.

[GBJIV]

That does look fantastic... Talking to wife tonight about an 88... today is my b-day and I really want it now...

Thanks for the pics!

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

That does look fantastic... Talking to wife tonight about an 88... today is my b-day and I really want it now...

Thanks for the pics!

HAPPY B'DAY, JACKSON!!!

Hope your wife give permission to you to buy a Pannie!!!

[arielc]

MIKE LIKE ALWAYS,GREAT PICTURES AND INFO.THE PAM 88 LOOKS AMAZING.

[Randy]

Congat's Mike! I just picked up a 88 last week, looking at straps myself

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

HAPPY B'DAY, JACKSON!!!

Hope your wife give permission to you to buy a Pannie!!!

Hey, thanks TR... I just noticed your note - That was really cool of you! I appreciate it.

Best,

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

Hey, thanks TR... I just noticed your note - That was really cool of you! I appreciate it.

Best,

You welcome, Buddy.

[Lol-x]

mike all I can say is your lucky your not close enough to me.........otherwise I would have slugged you for that strap.

At least I would have been charitable to leave you with the watch.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Randy

Congat's Mike! I just picked up a 88 last week, looking at straps myself

Sweet! The 88 is a great piece. I love it. I've changed straps half a dozen times already.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

mike all I can say is your lucky your not close enough to me.........otherwise I would have slugged you for that strap.

At least I would have been charitable to leave you with the watch.

LOL! I just can't believe how comfortable it is.

[GBJIV]

Mike, did you change to the spring bar? I have read that spring bar is advisable because the threads on the screw can strip - Any thoughts on that?

I guess it is pretty expensive to have the lugs re-threaded. Not sure how you would do that - maybe fill with metal and start over?

[mike]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

Mike, did you change to the spring bar? I have read that spring bar is advisable because the threads on the screw can strip - Any thoughts on that?

I guess it is pretty expensive to have the lugs re-threaded. Not sure how you would do that - maybe fill with metal and start over?

Gus my 88 is a K series and has the quick change system. The spring bars don't screw in like on the 111.

I used the same bars and switched the tubes around to the new strap.

The system is so quick and simple it's scary and there's no chance of a screwdriver slipping.

Panerai sends a tool with the watch to do this....I used a couple toothpicks.

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by mike

Gus my 88 is a K series and has the quick change system. The spring bars don't screw in like on the 111.

I used the same bars and switched the tubes around to the new strap.

The system is so quick and simple it's scary and there's no chance of a screwdriver slipping.

Panerai sends a tool with the watch to do this....I used a couple toothpicks.

Oh man... Now, I really really want one. I ordered 4 straps for my 177 on Thanksgiving - I only have one Panerai. Don't you think two is in order?

Thanks,

[Launch Mini]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

Oh man... Now, I really really want one. I ordered 4 straps for my 177 on Thanksgiving - I only have one Panerai. Don't you think two is in order?

Thanks,

At least two should be in order.