Officine Panerai

A long time I haven’t worn this one. It’s the first time I’m wearing it on a photographic trip. Quite a pleasure. And a distraction. I should be focusing on some scene with the sun setting but the bold Arabics of the Luminor calls out and easily steals my attention. pam 000

Best, Echi

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I have one that I purchased in Firenze which is my go to watch for sea and beach activities. It’s a true diver and tool watch.

I’m now appreciating it as how you described it for your intended use.

I don’t know what to say. I really love your watches and sea themed pictures.

A real trademark of yours.

Keep them coming!

Best.

René

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And here’s a pic as a nod to your sea pic..

the brand needed to create its own niche in the market. A post-V classic to be sure

Congrats!

I love the 000.

Enjoy!

René

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and that creates grey areas. Vintage, Pre-V, Post-V. The 372 is so firmly routed in the Panerai DNA that, IMO, transcends time and space. The 000 on the opposite side of the scales, is a cornerstone of the Post-V/modern production, as a direct derivative of the 5218-201A "Logo". The Pre-V parenthesis, has been so fleeting that needs a bit more downright...passion....to be appreciated. IMO of course

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With the zero, I can’t help but think about how I prefer the dial layout of the 201a.. I think the logo is squished down there together with “panerai”. With the 201a, it’s more balanced.. words on top, logo below. I fear a re-issue.. with panerai you never know!

I think it is difficult to compare these two bases. The aesthetics of a 47 case is just so much different than a 44.. it’s not a simple matter of upsizing.

Then there’s the indices.. both are charming in different ways. The zero is more “basic” than the 372. White vs cream. For the 372, in retrospect, I can’t imagine it with white indices. It has owned the fauxtina look.

The font size is something to consider as well. I love the font size of the 372. It is part of design more than it being a distraction like how one would usually hate too much lettering on a dial. With the 372, i liken it to the date display on a Lange where it’s part of the design language.

I used to also think that the 372 dial was more unbalanced than the zero being top heavy with the lettering with nothing to offset at the bottom. But then slowly I appreciate how symmetry can be boring. I think the lettering on the 372 is balanced in the sense that it is as bold on top as it is empty at the bottom!

Now we come to the movement.. in-house vs Unitas. I love them both. I respect the essence of old panerai as more an assembler rather than a manufacture. That they were out there to produce tools and that it didn’t matter if they made all the parts or not as long as the purpose is served.. way back when watches needed to tell time. This whole in house thing is arguably more marketing and not necessarily a technical requirement.

The winding is a bit rough on the zero but again it reinforces the whole tool watch/assembler impression.

The p3000 is a nice movement but I don’t mind it having a solid case back as the essence of a base isn’t exactly about the movement anyway.

Sergio set the context regarding their differences. No way on earth I could have even thought about it in that way.

The 372 is here to stay. The zero I’m not sure yet.. but I am in a process of rediscovery and I am enjoying my time with it.

Difficult question Nico. But I enjoyed answering it!

Best, Echi

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only one "contribution" if I may. The 372 is a..clone..of vintage 1950's models which sported the Marina Militare on the upper part of the dial. I don't think the 372 was..designed..but simply copied faithfully. The colouring of the indices has changed subtly since the first ridiculous "fake tritium" attempts (390-411) to a somewhat neutral amber tone that, honestly doesn't offend my sense of history/esthetics associated with the Pre-V period LOL. In other words, I can live with the present "compromise" Much as I like the 000, I've never though about it as a...keeper (unless you receive it as a gift, in which case it acquires intrinsical values) as much as a stepping stone in the wonderful world of Panerai. If we were talking about 2 or a 9..it would be a different ballgame altogether. IMO of course

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As for the zero, it was a 44mm itch that needed to be scratched. Totally in agreement as a stepping stone.. a good watch to start understanding Panerai. As for it being a keeper, well, i let serendipity play its part if and when. Who knows. I will complete my list with a 587 and a 249.. but I will target the 249 first. Strangely, I feel that I need to have that first before the 587. I have slowly developed a strong desire for that one after seriously considering the 232 and the 721. After I “understood” it, the 232 and the 721 suddenly fell off the list.. easily fell off the list

I saw it in a shop, took out the credit card, signed the receipt and walked out of the shop with the "Cali" on the wrist. All of this, without having asked an important question (normally): How much?? LOLLLLL The 44mm "keepers" (other than all the Pre-V), as I wrote already: PAM002 Pre-A



PAM009 Pre-A



Ciao

I’m with you on that camp.. if a 249 pops up, I might forget how to ask how much hahaha!