Officine Panerai

Hi all,

I am a big fan of Panerai also own Pam 00090 and waiting for Pam 00321. My older brother looking for large case from 44mm-46mm. He really likes PAM 00233 AND IW500401 Big Pilot.

 Yours comparacy opinions will be very helpful. Thank you.

Ed Gun

As I think they both have very similar merits...  Without taking into consideration what your brother currently has among his collection, IMHO this really comes down to function vs preference on styling.

Similarities:

Both of them feature the in house developed movement w/ long power reserve

Both of them are the iconic design of the brand with a strong lineage to historical model

Both of them feature a date window (ok ok, just want to be thorough)

Differences:

Manual wound on PAM233 vs. Automatic winding on IW5004

Additional GMT function on PAM233

Easily changeable strap on PAM233 vs. deployant buckle that comes w/ IW5004

Have I missed anything?   

This message has been edited by Jester on 2015-06-22 18:32:30

that the PAM233 P.2002 movement has. 

If I remember correctly, IWC's movement doesn't have seconds reset.

Pull the crown out, and the seconds hand automatically resets to 0.  This makes for easy accurate setting of the time IMO.

Cheers,
Anthony

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-10-29 13:59:12

I knew I must have left something out...

While we're at this level of technical granularity, I also forgot to add that the 5004 would have the typical quick set date while on the PAM233 you would have to run the hour hand in order to adjust for the date.   While technically it's not as easy/fast as the 5004 realistically it's not that big of a deal.

I guess I'll have to post a few scans as penalty? 

This message has been edited by Jester on 2010-10-29 19:57:54

Saint Exupery.!

 could you please tell me what it is ??!

 thank you in advance

 Tony

hi Christian

 i got your e-mail regarding the Strap on Saint Exupery.

 firstly, because how this Site is set up ?!! unfortunately i can't e-mail you back. !! (wish you had left me your e-mail address) and i can not find you on this Forum either.!

 2nd this is not my Watch.! you may wanna contact the Owner " jester " and ask him about it.

 Cheers

 Tony

but I must say 233 wears smaller and its a bit more comfortable, smaller wrist can get away with wearing it.

Both are absolutely great watches, tough decision not to get both

If I had to choose I would pick...233.....no.....BP...ahh.....I'm no help. I like them both equally !

both great watches.

If you decid for the PAM 233 look at the great Photos (!) from the members that answerd to your question. At nine o clock there is a little window,

that changes from white to black. That corospondent with the "hometime-hand" (the one black with the withe pike). Panerai changed this on the

actuell version - ther is a AM / PM display. My opinion is that the optic of the actuell version isn´t so good. The first series (i j k) looked more "clear".

Also if you by a preowned PAM 233 perhabs it is better to by a k serie, because first serie i (perhabs also j had some problems. If you by i or j make sure, that there has been a revision by panerai.

In europe actuell the dealers have still K-serie in there windows. So it is possible to by a new one with the more beautifull

dial-design. Also you can find a K-serie preowend with Panerai guarantee for a good price. PAM 233 is a great watch with a lot of functions - but with a really clear design. All Panerai Fans are looking for special-editios and pay a lot of money. I think in a few years they search the PAM 233 - but this is only speculation

Greeting from Germany

 

Stephan

 

Thanks to all opinions and parallels of this both beautiful watches. I strongly agree with Stephan from Germany that dial with AM-PM of series I, J, and K looks much superior to my opinion.

Like I post originally it’s my brother who looking to buy. What’s interesting he is right now in Europe trip, prices on Pam’s much better compare to US market. Of course only from authorized dealers. On IWC Big Pilot prices much better in the US.

Once again thank you for interesting opinions and time.

 

but this on your picture is L-Serie. Look at the photos from the other members bevor. They shows the I or j or k version.

Another interesting thing: The PAM 233 "8 days GMT" runs 10 days! Not 8 as it was often tod in magazins. There is no

limitation in the movement from 10 to 8 days.

 

Stephan

But if I were to have only one watch, 233 is my choice..
It is smaller so it's more wearable for all kind of occasion..
I believe it's more comfortable on the wrist..
It has a gmt function, so it's a perfect companion when traveling.

But like aboen said, it's hard not to be tempted to buy both...

Good luck,

Sam

If you already have a Pam, go fr the BP. IMHO, you can get the panarei DNA, even in their most basic watches. But the BP would be a different proposition, something that harks back to the glory days of piloting. And the power reserve, very useful, u can wear the watch once a week, that's practical if you have a few watches, and all get wrist time and rotation.

Good luck, and post here on your final decision.

I don't know what I would do if I had to choose.

Depending on what other watches he has or for what he plans to use it. 233 is more wearable for everyday use but BP5004 is an modern icon. But for me 233 is maybe the most beautiful in today's Panerai line up. It's domed crystal is pure porn!

Im surprised with the accuracy of the BP although I was told it normally runs faster. It's almost as accurate as the 233.

If he is thinking in a dot'd 233 I would have to chose only based on my other watches. If it's the new dial I would fo for the BP

He is actually right now in Barcelona, Spain and visited store “Rabat” they have in stock Pam 00233 for € 8,400.00 and BP500401 for € 11,000.00 (maybe he is not 100% correct)

Cannot understand why price on BP so Hi. Here in New York MSRP on BP is $ 13,500.00 and possible to get up to %32 of, Pam 00233 is $ 14,700.00 and it possible to get up to %22 of retail price.

AD-only.

especially price for IWC to expensive

 

Stephan

I know VERY well the people of RABAT. Is where Im buying all my watches.
Tell your brother to ask there for JEAN PHILIPPE, or JORDI RABAT. They are really cool guys.

RABAT is also one of the best places to get a great service and impressive prices. Difficult to beat these guys.
Its also strange what you say about the retail prices:
RETAIL price in SPAIN of the 233 is 9.900 EUR and BP retail price was 11.000EUR last year, and Im not sure if there is any increase done this year (I guess)

Drop me an email if you want some help with the final price.



RABAT in Valencia (where Im based has also both watches...and I can ¨do something¨)

There is a really huge difference in price for the IWC!
The price you say its like 2K EUR LESS! Are you sure???

There could be some difference as per the exchanges rates, but that seems to me to be pretty high!

these 2 Watches are Loved by most People.

 i like the 233 very much but if i had the Dough i'd LOVE to buy the 289.

 but don't forget that  the BP is still an ICONIC Watch.!!

 

 

 Cheers

 Tony

Between the two watches, the BP will wear very big compared to the 233.

233 will be easier to wear everyday and the GMT function will be a plus if your brother plans to travel to different timezones. Dome crystal and the 1950 case on the 233 makes this a very handsome Pam. Manual wind 8 days PR is also a plus.

The BP is quite big and wearing any other watch after the BP will look small. I like the 7 days PR automatic movement on the BP. Less winding then the Pam 233's Manual movement.

Both watches are great pieces, but if your brother is looking for a BIG watch, then I think the BP is the winner. If he doesn't mind going with a smaller 44mm size, then the 233 would be a great watch and being able to change up the straps will make it more versatile over the BP.

The wide thick strap on the Panerai simply makes it a more comfortable watch to wear.  Whereas the IWC Big Pilot has a skinny strap that provides overall less stability. 

Plus, the 2002 caliber in the 233 is a prime example of excellent movement finishing in a Panerai.