Officine Panerai

Hi guys,

Im looking to get a Panerai watch but im undecided about whether to get a winding or auto watch. Trying to decide between a 112/111 or a 104.
Can you guys give me your opinions and the pros/cons of winding or auto?

Thanks

Historical reasons mainly

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I like winding more (bit more personal feeling which it gives to an owner)

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Never liked any automatic PAM (just my 2 HRK)

Best

Damian

This message has been edited by Ares501 on 2008-12-09 08:04:02

And I would add that the noisy rotor is another element to consider...

Best.

Nicolas

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you get to spend some quality time atleast once every 48hours while winding that baby....wich gives you plenty of time to look at the dial and beautiful contours of the case....Love it...Best guillermo

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Thanks guys for your help, i'd love to hear more opinions on the winding/automatic

I am a panerai newbie and don't know much about the watch itself, other than it looks nice! I'm looking to get one myself so im trying to gather information on the different models/options

Is there anyone out there who owns a 104 or a 111 and could give me there opinions on why they chose their watches?

 

I've never regretted buying my Pam 111. It is my daily watch and I choose it because I needed a robust watch that could be exposed to all kinds of weather when I bike to and from work all year round. The movement might be primitive but it is tried and tested and since my first love affair with watches was pocket watches, it feels very much like meeting an old flame.

I love manual winding. As previously expressed by another contributor in this thread, it gives you the chance to spend some time interacting with your watch in a much more conscious way than just looking at it to tell the time.

Over the years it has proved to be robust as I have a habit of forgetting to take it off if I’m going to do something unsuitable for a mechanical watch, like carving granite with a hammer and chisel. On top of that it is still reasonable precise.

On top of all this you can enter the strap market or have a lot of fun making your own straps. I know you can do this with the automatics as well, but I just wanted to mention it.

on what other watches you own. If this is going to be your only watch or your daily wear, I would choose the 104 for the convenience and having a date. The design of the 104 is close to the historic line and that way you can have both worlds. Most chances that in the above case, you will look to add a second PAM to your stable and then you can go for the pure historic base.

My 2,

Asi

Don't get me wrong I love PAM's but for the price the automatic PAM's are not as good as other watches of equal value. So might as well save a few bucks and go for a winding PAM.

Primarily because i only do hand-wound watches!! So i'm biased! Hehe

But on a more serious note, hand-wound watches are known to be more accurate than automatics. On top of that, the fact that you have to wind it every so often, it means that you must come into contact with the watch almost on a daily basis. Not at all a problem for me, because for me if i dont come into contact with my watches i'll probably die!

But then there are those who says that an auto is for convenience, for me i'd say it straight up its for those who are lazy! Apologies for the bluntness, but thats what i feel anyways.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

I don't get your statement that handwind is more accurate than an Automatic movement (?). In what way would you measure that?

Well, I just wanted to go against the grain - to speak up for the few that won't try to shout over everyone else saying 'winding.'

I love the feeling of the 'rotor wobble' in my automatic.  You can hear it a bit too.  The sensation of the raw mechanics in the Valjoux 7753 movement gives the automatic wearer something a bit more unique than the winding action in non-autos.  The inertia is quite staggering actually, the watch literally rocks a bit in your hand if the rotor is spinning freely, especially when low on reserve. 

My old Seiko Automatic didn't quite spin like that, it could do probably two or three turns before coming to a stop and you wouldn't feel it.

Don't get me wrong, I still have to maintain my 'other' watch with a winding every 40+ hours and I love it too.

I think i've narrowed it down to the 104 and the 111, but im torn

On one hand i like the clean appearance of the 111, the clear back, and the sandwich dial

The 104 would be practical with the date which would be useful in my line of work. It also comes with the adjustable buckle that i really like. However its an auto, no sandwich dial and you can't see into the back.

what a tough choice

That is, those new to Panerai ownership vs Paneristi's that know about sandwich dials, tang vs deployant, and the traditional Panerai 'look.'

Since you are well aware of all that, I doubt you will miss the automatic movement, polished crown protector, date, deployant buckle and alligator strap (the last two which can be had regardless of your choice).  If you agree, then the 111 should be the sure bet.

Of course if you want to get technical, although the 111 and other models in that line may appear 'historic', it features a significantly different movement, different arrangement of text on the dial, and is missing the arabic 9 when compared to the true early 40's 'Marina's'.  Nevertheless it will still have some of the key distinguishing features from that of the contemporary line.

It's also nice to know that with less complications in the movement, the 111 can usually be purchased for less, depending on where you live and the demand. 

The reasons are clear:

- more respetuous with the History.

- you don´t have to heard the noisy rotor.

- you have a really pleasure winding it and feeling it in your hands. And you can admire his base beauty while you are winding it.

For me, what else?.

Best.

Emilio.

Cheers

I just got a 279 (luminor marina auto), and have only wound it once - it hasnt' been off my wrist! I don't really notice any noisiness or inertia in the rotor mechanism, and find that the watch overall tics along very quietly. I'd almost appreciate a little MORE noise ;-)

When I put the watch to my ear, I can hear the rotor shifting with a very quality mechanical sound. other than that, the only noise it makes is when midnight comes and the date shifts - there's a terrific little "clunk". Like the sound of a fine german car door shutting, it reminds me of what a good decision I made going with a PAM - winding or auto, it's a good call!