(Pic Heavy) The 305 is a fine watch

Feb 15, 2021,02:35 AM
 

A few years back after a diving trip wearing my 562 I decided to get a sub, primarily because my son hit my watch with his tank while preparing for the next dive. I was lucky and there was no damage. Anyway my first finding was a tritium 243:



The price was great, so was the condition, and the watch had an incredible vibe to it, including small details like 1000m engraved in the crown lever. Being a lume freak I agonized for weeks and to my relief someone else bought it. I then tried tons of them: 305, 1305, amagnetic, flyback you name it. My 562 is on some of the pics.





The 1305 with the see-through caseback was tempting because it was being discontinued but purists will rightfully argue that a sapphire caseback has no business on a proper sub. Back then I couldn't get over the blue second hand, the green lume of the 305 just looked more tactical to me:



Along the way I did cross paths with some exquisite monsters like this one. I don't exclude getting one at some point:



The hobnail/destro was briefly considered but the aged lume didnt work for me:



One evening as I was going back home I found a small shop with an old tritium 25:



The bezel had a crazy amount of play in it, a common issue on the 24/25. Once again I agonized between tritium and luminova. In the end it came down to the 25 vs the 305, the 25 having the upper hand due to its unusual dial but also for the curved bezel very reminiscent of the egiziano at some angles, especially the side view:



The bottom of the pool is deep once you stare into the abyss. Subs are not as niche as they used to be but they're great, I love them!


More posts: Luminor 1950Luminor BasePAM243PAM305PAM562

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Favourite 47mm

 
 By: neville : February 15th, 2021-00:55
for me is my 305. I know the 372 is a Panerai DNA classic and favourite but when the time comes to choose which to wear the 305 comes out on top more often than not ...  

(Pic Heavy) The 305 is a fine watch

 
 By: Arronax : February 15th, 2021-02:35
A few years back after a diving trip wearing my 562 I decided to get a sub, primarily because my son hit my watch with his tank while preparing for the next dive. I was lucky and there was no damage. Anyway my first finding was a tritium 243: The price wa...  

I have never liked Submersibles...

 
 By: sergio : February 15th, 2021-05:55
I've always considered them the antithesis of Panerai. Bulky, with busy dials and only for mucho-macho men. I was a keen diver myself but I've never used a diving watch. I've used a number of diving computers, which I consider a lot more useful under wate... 

Aromax, which sub did you end up with? Thanks for taking us on your journey through the submersible line.

 
 By: Darron : February 15th, 2021-07:53
I have flirted with the idea but never tried. I am more a no date manual guy myself fir Panerais.

25 H series

 
 By: Arronax : February 15th, 2021-08:19
I yet have to buy my first 47 and that is a challenge!

Thank you!

 
 By: neville : February 15th, 2021-08:54

Pleasure👍

 
 By: FabR : February 15th, 2021-10:14

Spectacular :)

 
 By: Arronax : February 15th, 2021-08:20
Love the strap too!

448? and if so what a choice!

 
 By: neville : February 15th, 2021-08:56

Nice! I might join you with a California of my own soon!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : February 15th, 2021-12:50