Officine Panerai

flamenco
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A 2 year witch hunt ... Finally !

Took me more than 2 years to hunt one down. And its all sweet, now that I finally found one. A piece that needs little introduction and a firm favourite amongst collectors.

Yes it is a Submersible (in fact my very first submersible) ......  No, its not a 24 nor a 25 ....

I present to you the Panerai 243J, and my initial impressions.

As most would agree, Panerai is a big watch, and the submersible is certainly thicker than the usual. Therefore questions of it wearability has always been a concern.

What really puts the 243 apart from the rest of the submersibles that came before is the 1950s case .  

A case that in my eyes balances the sub more, conceals its thickness, and most of all provides a more balance overall look (in my books at least)

All that makes for a more comfy feel on the wirst.

Bomb proof ... with a He Valve to prove !

This baby goes DEEP ... more than most of us will ever find out.  

In the course of the search, there was a single minded focus on a "J" series.

Why a "J" series u might ask ..... (a fact, 2 actually, that most here are probably already aware of)

1. Magic lies in the dial (yet another first for me) ... T Dial (any watch).

No wonder all that fuss about a T Dial, now I can truly appreciate.

2. The J series has the unique quick strap change mechanism. Therefore, makes the 243J a transitional model of sorts (ie before the 243 went L Dial). Got that sharp strap u see here fixed in less than a min

Am truly thrilled with this new capture and one that is truly unique in a growing PAMILY of RADs and Luminors.

 A final shot of what is fast become a huge favourite of mine !

Thank you for taking time to hear me rant