PAM 249 or PAM 305.
Anthony was kind enough to suggest that I post what I wrote to him here so that I could get more opinions from all of you. I would greatly appreciate if all of you could share with me your opinions. Thank you for the help and this is what I wrote to Anthony:
Hi Anthony,
I hope this message finds you well. Your profound review on PAM 305 was an eye opener to me for the Luminor Submersible line from Panerai. I have to admit that Luminor Submersible did not really do it for me up until I read through your insightful review on PAM 305. I have learnt to love PAM like the rest of the Panerai enthusiast and realized that what attract most of PAM lovers are not the movements or the complications that it has to offer but rather the simplicity of the dial and the simpler the watch is the more significance and valuable it is.
Here comes the toughest part for me, my first PAM is a PAM 287 and I am getting my second PAM right now. I have narrowed down my choices into 2 PAM:
1. PAM 305 BNIB @ about $8.5k.
2. PAM 249 pre-owned @ about $11k.
I know that most Panerai enthusiast out there with the passions for Panerai's historical significance and its true value will obviously tell me that PAM 249 will be the right choice and owning one will not go wrong. It is a special series limited edition remake of the 1936 vintage Panerai ref. 3646 and has the highly sought after California dial. It is a different class of its own from the rest of the Panerai. However, this purchase will probably not be the best bangs for the buck like you mentioned for PAM 305, the movement itself that PAM 249 carries is ETA based 6497 with 56 hours of power reserve.
On the other hand PAM 305 is a new Luminor Submersible from Panerai with a Luminor 1950 casing, beautiful new dial design and an in-house movement with 3 days power reserve. What strike me the most is your review on PAM 305 and that you consider it to be one of Panerai's best bangs for the buck. I totally agree with you on that, it's a new model produced in 2010, with 47 mm Luminor 1950 casing, new dial design and 3 days power reserve in-house movement calibre P.9000. All these just tell you that it will make every single buck that you spent count and it is a watch worth buying at a pretty good entry level price. But passion will tell you that this is just one of the variations of the vibrant modern Panerai watch.
The only thing that is missing from these 2 PAMs is a sandwich dial that I am also dying for.
I would greatly appreciate if you could share with me your thoughts on the above and your opinions will be very valuable for me to decide which of the 2 PAM I will be getting.
Thank you so much for your help, Anthony.
Best regards,
Tri
Great position to be in...
but the 249 and the 305 are two completely different watches with the only exception of the dial at 47mm...
since you already have a 287, you would appreciate the Radiomir case and its versatility...At 47mm, the 249 does not wear too big and the unique dial is killer...I have a 6.5" wrist and love the 249...I will stay away from pricing as its all market driven and if you really like it..you will pay the premium...it is however a very niche piece and considered very speical to the PAM-nut (to others?..less so)
I have only seen the 305 (via the great review by Anthony) and tons of wrist shots..it is certainly a lot of BANG for the buck with the Ti case and the new movement (which is the future of Panerai)...it has become an instant classic for Panerai Sub Fans..from what i have heard, the piece wears beautifully and does not feel like 47mm...however, I have a hard time seeing the 305 on a croc for a dressy dinner (IMHO)..its just more tool watch...
I think that's what it comes down to, what's in your current collection and if a SUB will fit into it or a very iconic (but different) Radiomir
This message has been edited by ocwatching on 2010-08-27 08:37:21 This message has been edited by ocwatching on 2010-08-27 08:56:43
For me, this would be an extremely easy choice for me
First off, welcome to the forum and glad to see you posted this question in the forum.
Of the 2 watches you've mentioned, definitely the PAM305 hands down for me because you already have a PAM287 Radiomir Black Seal automatic. I'm a firm believer of diversification, so I'd definitely get a Luminor, not another Radiomir, as your next watch.
The PAM305 Submersible watch is a watch that grows on you when you wear it. Plus, the dial of the PAM305 is one you can't get sick of IMO. It emits a style of vintage Panerai too.
If you're looking for a sandwich dial, I would reserve that feature for your 3rd Panerai!
Cheers,
Anthony
To update you guys...
Once again thank you guys for the help!
