JohnFM
1273
That's a beauty Nicolas
I'm very late to the Panerai game but appreciate the perspective from those of you with experience and a sense of history. It sounds like the company lost its way somewhere along the line and has not really recovered. I'm an older guy who has been interested in watches for only 15 years or so. I have many other hobbies (e.g., photography, music, fountain pens) but vowed to steer clear of the expensive and addictive world of watches until my quartz Hamilton field watch finally gave up the ghost. I did a little research and discovered Rolex (of course), especially the now discontinued five digit models (16600, 14060, 114270), as well as the IWC pilot line, Doxa, Omega Speed/Railmaster, and a few others.
Panerai was never on my radar because they seemed 'too big' and flashy, especially as worn by many 10-20 years ago, who often knew or cared little about quality and sported fake versions that were 'fashionable' at the time. Only recently, I began to get a sense of Panerai's history and design sensibility, which seems both practical for its purposes (diving) and beautiful in its simplicity. Since then, various models that can still be found relatively easily have drawn me in -- 176, 673, and 249.
Anyway, thanks for sharing pictures and insights into these now elusive older models. I'm sorry I missed out on them years ago but have no regrets, of course, to have missed the LE and pricing frenzy of recent years. It will be interesting to see how the company navigates its future from this point forward.
John
More posts:
2 old pictures of an old love: Panerai Marina Militare PAM 36.
I loved that watch a lot! Extra Bonus: A macro. The good old times... Best, Nicolas ...
It just stopped enjoying..cult..status
and the name stopped being whispered in dark alleys That happened almost immediately after the Vendome takeover and continues today. From the balance sheet/investors point of view, it makes too much sense, from the "history buff/Panerai diehard" point of ...
They started producing the UGLIEST Panerai models..to date..in 1999 and produced thousands, upon thousands of pieces: PAM48-49-50-51....
Luminor Marina, 40mm, Automatic, date with cyclop glass, one: PAM51 with white dial and bracelet band, another: PAM50 black dial and bracelet band. The 50 and 51 are, for all intent and purposes, two Rolexes wannabe. IMO obviously
I wasn't into Panerai back then but I've heard....
sad stories all around and I can agree with you, that some of the issues could have been handled...better haha
...if it were 44 mm, it would already be on the wrist!
To my taste it is the pumped version of what it should be: there are very few wrists that can carry decently a 47 mm, and mine is not among them! Anyway, the idea behind 372 is great!
You're right, it must be big. But 47mm seems a bit further:
when I was wearing mine in the late 90's, with its 44 mm were many to blink the eyes: now we are addicted to similar measures, so to surprise we have to exaggerate... but I think it's more something whimsical than meaningful. I hope Panerai will hold its ...
I have to confess that I miss the few ones I had, which had sadly gone. 2 Pre V, the Logo and the Mare, and one Vendome, the PAM 249 Cali.
Now, a PAM 583 ( Marina Militare ) 687, or the 662, or why not the PAM 372 are in my wish list. Not sure I will have more than one or two, but I really want to have something from Panerai. In the souvenir of the goold old days...
Hi Sergio!
The concept of big has undergone many interpretations: when Panerai proposed the Luminor 44 mm, in those years were "huge". When the fashion of big watches (thanks to Panerai and IWC in the first place) has influenced the market, excesses have begun, so t...
The first Panerai ever....
the 3646 was a 47mm model as much as every other Panerai except for the 60mm Egiziano. The downsizing to 44mm was due to a commercial compromise and gave way to the..small Panerais. When you write....44mm were huge....I'm shaking my head LOL The PAM687 is...
The first model...actually...produced was the 3646 California....
which was entirely made with Rolex parts+movement and was 47mm Among other 3646 type A, there was also this one: Ciao Images taken from the Web.. ...
Mind if I join in? If it weren't for you Nico....
seeing some Panerais, instead of the modern concoctions everybody seems to salivate after, would be almost impossible Mine.... ...
You know I only wear Panerai....but
when I REALLY want to treat myself it's only the 36, 2 or 9Pre-A or the LOGO. Ciao bello
Never had one. By the time I found its existence...
the prices had already gone INSANE and I just couldn't afford one. I got in at the peak of the..bubble..unfortunately
That's a beauty Nicolas
I'm very late to the Panerai game but appreciate the perspective from those of you with experience and a sense of history. It sounds like the company lost its way somewhere along the line and has not really recovered. I'm an older guy who has been interes...
The last photo does well to capture the various shades on this one
I love the black hands over brown dial, white writings. I'm sure it is missed.
Pam82
Love my one but haven’t worn it for few months . I’m flying to Geneva right now with my watch club and we’ve been invited to Panerai on Friday for a factory tour. Can’t wait 😄
