Officine Panerai

Most admirers and even non admirers of Panerai have longed for Panerai to produce a homage piece to honour thus devine reference.

So when Panerai announced just such a piece, without hesitation I placed an order. I have to admit that when I saw the oress release instead of joy I felt hesitation. Why? Well fir me the 6154 should not be a re-dial of the 587, which to be fair was an excellent rendition of the 6152/1.

The 662 in the first impressions was a re-dial and movement re-finished of the 587.

For me, the 662 needed to be thinner like the 514/622.

Secondly it needed a thick silid screw back. Finally a rich brown dial or ochre dial.

It did not look good. But deposit was paid, I did think of pulling out but I didn't want to take a risk in case it was better in the flesh. Besides I probably could get most if not all my money back if I really didn't like it.

Then 10 days ago I got the call- it had arrived.

My initial thoughts 

Dial- ok, neither like or dislike 

Case- too thick for a 6154

 

Case back: needs to solid and thicker 

But it wasn't bad enough not to warrant some wrist time: I was so desperate for the 6154, and if this is what was  Panerai's best effort, then so be it, I will give it a try.

After 10 days this is what happened-

The dial colour is beautiful- it grows on you, changing from almost chocolate to grey brown depending on the prevailing light condition 

The case: yes too thick to be a true 6154 homage but perfect for this watch

Case back: cant see it anyway

So what changed?

I don't see this as a 6154 anymore: forget the press release. What this is , is a beautiful modern Panerai with Vintage DNA. It fits the mode of previous classics like the 249 , 232 and 372.

If you accept its failings as a homage but accept it as a modern interpretation: then it wins. It gas now become one of my all time favourite watches, probably the first Panerai that will be a permanent member of my collection.

 

The 6152/1 and 6154 though similar were very different as can be seen here courtesy of Paneraiblog:

You can see the difference in thickness 

Here are more 6152/1 courtesy of Christies Sotheby's and our own Nico

The 6154 is in many ways are more "elegant " rendition 

Here is Nico doing some modelling 

But ultimately the 662 had to be seen in its own merit, and  for me atleast, it fulfills s longing for a 6154 inspired Panerai

Best 

Imran 

More posts: 662Luminor 1950PAM232PAM249PAM372PAM587PAM662Panerai 662Radiomir 1936 SERadiomir 1938 SERadiomir 1940

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