Officine Panerai

Being a newbie in this field, I would like to pose this combination of of owing a 'complete' set of Radiomir & Luminor watches. A PAM 355 & PAM 161.

PAM 355 – Radiomir GMT Alarm (42mm)
This watch has an elegance feel and a kind of sophistication which stands out for a smart man. Subtle and practical. Can be a dressy watch when the situation demands.

PAM 161 – Luminor GMT Titanium (44mm)
Casual and yet macho. This watch personify a man with discerning taste and he is taking time off from 'work'. A very cool watch and when the situation demands, it can be transformed into an elegant piece of man's accessory by changing the strap. Wearing this watch requires a man's wrist and yet to be gentle.

These are my thoughts of owing a set of Panerai, Rad & Luminor.... within my budget.

Comments please and propose your combination and why?

One, the 355 it's not really a Radiomir, with so many bells and whistles it could be....anything...The other, the 161 with a cyclop and a bracelet. What will they think of next. I thought a 210 and a 000, would fit the ideal pair of Panerais...go figure...

My ideal pair? A 127 and a 232. Why? Because they are both arrogantly, elegantly simple and both could...only...be Panerais..

Cheers - Sergio

ps: I almost forgot. Also, they are both....automatic (the 355 and 161)

though i'd opt more for the 372 than the 127--but THAT is a minor detail!

J

I have a 127 for the longest of times. The 372, although it comes highly recommended, I have neither seen nor decided to purchase..

Cheers - Sergio

Your choices of the 127 and a 232 is rather plain for my liking and I respect your opinion.

With a bracelet watch option, I would be able to participate in rough and tumble environment and with a change to strap, it can be more elegant and sporty. I should say that I am addressing the versatility option.

Both are GMTs and 'automatic', because I travel extensive in different time zones and I rely on reliable time keeping extensively. (I have missed planes because my watch has stopped - I forgot to wind it up!! )

I need an opinion on the PAM 355 and their daily usage..... Anyone care to give their experience, living with a PAM 355?

Thanks and I read your replies with enthusiasm...

when mentioning the 355 and the 161, you are talking about watches in general, not Panerais. A Panerai purist would frown upon an automatic watch, frown upon a watch with a date (let alone a cyclop lense) frown upon a 42mm watch etc etc. So if you're talking about a "complete set" of Panerais, the 355 and 161, are not the ones. I'll answer your question about the 355 which I don't own but I own a 184 (no alarm, on that one). It's a terrific watch and answers every need of a traveler (I am one, by the way). Thing is, when I bought the 184, I wasn't buying a......Panerai. I was buying a watch that had a...deployant buckle, was automatic, had a date, was very luminous in the dark (in case I woke up in the middle of the night) and cost substantially less than it's PP or Breguet counterparts. Same reasons you might have purchased it... The first.....Panerai.....on the other hand, was a 249 Cali. With that one it was love at first sight. I didn't buy a watch...I was besotted by that particular piece. Know what I mean?

Cheers - Sergio

ps The Panerai DNA it's all about.....plain, big, bold, rugged watches...btw....

pps: Panerai guys aren't that crazy about exibition back, either..

a classic panerai has that effect!

Perhaps, I would re label the 355 as a practical utility watch.

I read your comments with a positive enlightenment and I guess from the pure perfectionist point of view, the Cali 249 is a wonderful piece. In fact the pieces mentioned by the other contributors are very elegant indeed......sigh... so little money.... so many watches!!! Ha2

What I have learned is that I want a 355 as an utility watch and perhaps, a 47mm..... something.... Back to the Drawing Board...

Thank you all for the insights.... 000 and 210 as suggested? I am eager to take the plunge but sigh... only 1 watch at a time.

Cheers

set because there are some characteristics which IMO should be met before calling a pair of Radiomir and Luminor a "complete" set.  One of my criteria would be for at least one of the watches to be a 47mm.  In any case, it is about personal preference though.

Cheers,
Anthony

good call--any core collection of PAMs should reflect the history of the brand--and therefore should include one classic model, be that Radiomir ot Luminor--and one that is 47mm!

J

a 47mm case may well be too large for some wrists......

Didnt expect it to be so wonderful

welcome to the madness!

J

and in the eyes of a purist perhaps more modern pieces.  That being said, however, keep in mind that the opinions expressed in this forum and others are the opinions of passionate advocates who luxuriate in the history and the details--a history that draws such advocates to the more historic pieces.  Base models, 47mm dials--these are important to purists, BUT perhaps not to you  and that would be fine!  Get what speaks to you

I actually like 355 (and its precedent 98) but it won't be my first or only Panerai. 

372 will be my next pam, to complement my 232. Can't wait.

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