Officine Panerai

While waiting for Christmas and its presents I couldn't help indulging myself with "a little something". It surely deserves a visit to the AD for an adequate polishing, but I cannot be happier. The warmth and weight of the Tantalium has to be seen and felt "at the source". Actually, is is very difficult to obtain a photo that transmits correctly the aspect of this metal... Now I understand why most of the photographs I saw while "hunting" for the 172 were pretty bad.

After a few shots, however, I managed to get one where at least you can appreciate the bluish hands of the 172. I think you can even appreciate a bit the warmth of the metal. It is a funny feeling: tantalium has some similarity visually with titanium, although maybe a bit darker, bluer...but of course the weight is not the same!

After Christmas, a polish and some new trousers!

 

I love a lot this modern treatment on an hisotrical watch...

The Grey Blue Tantalum Case matches very well with the blue hands, and the weight, the density of this metal is another good point.

The choice of the  strap is excellent, too.

I used to wear my 192 ( The chrono version of yours ) with a light grey croc strap, which was also a killing combo.

Enjoy!

Best,

Nicolas

Thank you, Nicolas! The strap is actually the original one, and it calls for an urgent replacement... I am thinking perhaps an ABP acz3 or perhaps something even more beige rather than honey. What do you think?

I had the chance to try on a Chrono Tantalium from my friend from Singapore, Felix, who lives in Madrid (hi Felix!) and that was the point when I completely decided to go for the 172. This metal needs to be seen and touched "live" to understand its beauty...

As for the strap, a beige one wold be great, as well as a grey blue one, to match with the color of the case...

Have fun!

Best,

Nicolas

I am still hoping to even see this watch in the wild...

But for you who got it, Tantalum is a superb metal indeed, very similar chemically to Titanium, but naturally far from Platinum.

It is wonderful, for it is about the only metal in nature that says my name over and over again, for being Blue...

Enjoy!

Stephen

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You have a great piece which doesn't get the recognition as I hoped it would but hopefully that will change in the future.  Also, maybe we'll see a Radiomir in tantalum somewhere down the road?

Cheers,
Anthony

...watchmakers are not very fond of tantalum because it spoils the machines very quickly due to its hardness. So I am not very sure that Panerai will be generous enough to give us a Tant Radio...

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The 172 is a watch that is still on my radar to find.

I've never seen one in person but since the day it was introduced, I've wanted one.

Don't care for the chono edition, just this one.

Cheers,

Bill

Like Anthony said there is nothing like seeing the 172 or 192 in the flesh...the tantalum is just amazing...especially the bezel

I have a few different straps, but for some reason I seem to like it the best with a black strap. I've got a few from the usual suspects, one has a killer black DLC buckle, which works great with it!

Mine could use a little polishing love, but I haven't felt it that critical, and now sure what it takes to polish it - might have to go back to Panerai. If you get yours polished, hope to hear about your experience!

Enjoy the watch, they are gorgeous, nothing like that blue hue on the metal, coupled with the blue hands, and the weighty feeling, it is quite a piece. And hard to find!

-- Gordie

Great catch, and nice wristshot!  I love the color of this watch.  It's got this wonderful blue undertone that is unique and wonderful.

Enjoy it!

Cheers,

Daos

and your are so right about the difficulty in taking pics, here are a few of my attempts,,,,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Asi

That last picture is truly sublime.

It is not easy to get a polished finish on tantalum, and OP has done it!

Cheers

Stephen

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What a beautiful watch, i don't know how it doesn't get the recognition it deserves!

Craig

...is that one, Craig?? Me likey!!

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...until the Christmas chaos passes (shipping in Spain during those dates is not precisely reliable). But January is not far away...

one of the very few Models that i truly LOVE...  the Grey Case against the Blue and Mustard make a PERFECT color combo  imo..

GREAT pick up. big congrats. enjoy if for many healthy years ahead.!

Cheers

 Tony

Congratulations and enjoy.

Nice and unique.

alepos