Panerai 5218-304 Mare Nostrum Slytech.
It's been a very long time I didn't see one spotting. Of course, there is a reason: There were only 31 pieces made, in 1996. This one has recently been auctioned by Phillips. Apparently without its box and papers. For the record, there was another Slytech...
Indeed the first picture is stunning
I love the way it is all polished with flat and wide bezel. Great piece of art imho. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Mark
Also much prefer the smooth bezel
So much cooler IMHO. Did I understand correctly, you had both and both subsequently found another home? How come?
I had all ( or almost ) the pre vendome pieces...
I sold almost all of them, except the Mare 301/A, the Logo Pre V 201/ A and the Cali Pam 249... All these three last pieces were stolen to me. Best, Nicolas
One thing I always had doubts about these polished bezel versions are how can you tell if it's authentic?
Someone could just polish out the stamped bezel version and turn it into a polished bezel. Would you have to digitally measure the thickness of the bezel to authenticate if it's was a genuine polished bezel instead of a frankenwatch? - Anthony
You have to see the dial: It must bear the Slytech mention, first.
Then report to the case back, and see the special engraving. You cannot just polish the tachymeter bezel. There are other details which clearly differentiate it from a 301/A.
There is an anecdote about that...
Many years ago, I sent my Mare Slytech smooth bezel to Swiss to service it. They sent it back to me with a tachymeter engraved on my smooth bezel!!! I just pested, and sent it back to the Manufacture, just for them to put a correct bezel on it. After seve...
The smooth bezel...
Is very understated in photos but quite spectacular in metal. Had a chance to buy the 302 a couple years ago, but I decided to get the iconic 201/A. And quite recently had a chance to play with a 304 , belongs to a forum friend If I were given opportunity...