Dear forumners,
Shock! Horror! Probe!
I can't believe what has happened. The current Mrs MTF and I have been adamant that there is no merit in Panerai watches....well, at least the ones made for public consumption are not. We may concede the few military-issue pieces had a job to do and reason to exist.
Secretly, I quite liked the Radomir lugs and she liked the Luminor crown thingy but not vice versa.
Last week, a watch-buddy took me to a Panerai boutique and I saw this:
The Panerai girl told me it was something called a PAM 049. The current Mrs MTF (and I) actually like the style and 40mm seems almost human-scale!
Looking through the most excellent PuristSPro Panerai forum, we discovered this model that is even better!
By the power of mysterious code numbers, it is called a PAM 114 and at 44mm, the size seems to attract the wife.
Now, we are supposed to go look at Panerai boutique and dealerships....right now...in the next hour! HELP.........over-rated or under-rated?
Regards,
MTF
there's no turning back now.
Good luck!
fernando
but the Panerai Boutique is putting customers who enquire "on the waiting list to call you when stocks arrive".
But in reality, since they stopped production, the lists will be used when the replacement model (? ref no?) is introduced. Prices will be raised by 25%.
The reason to get a base Panerai, finally, after all these years is that we want to try the changing-lots-of-straps aspect. I can easily afford straps but the watch heads are a different matter!
The dealer "privately" told me to buy a 2nd hand Panerai instead of a new model. He won't even sell me a new Panerai of any sort. I trust him because he has sold me other brands costing $150K and above....so its not just about the money.....it's a mystery really: I did not ask why
Regards,
MTF
Panerai is all about how it looks on your wrist from your vantage point....I wasn't ever sold until I put one on my wrist. Then it was over.
Good Luck.
It's a nice mix for you and Mrs. MTF because it's 42mm - between 40mm and 44mm
What's great about this new PAM523 is I believe it is Panerai's 1st glossy enamel-looking white dialed Luminor. Normally Panerai dials are matte finished but this PAM523 white dial is shiny. The black printed numerals are also glossy too like the dial, and the date disc background is a matching white too for a clean look.
Houses the P.9000 movement and retail price is $7,800.
Cheers,
Anthony
Anthony,
Thanks for the photos that were shown to the current Mrs MTF.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), the PAM 523 fails the font test. If you look at the numerals (especially 6 and 4) and compare the three dials: 049, 114 and 523, you can see that the new font is incomplete.....the loop in the '6' is left open and the '4' is angular and wimpy.
Apparently, the old font on PAM 049 and 114 is "curvalicious and strong"......go figure.
Is there such a feeling amongst the Panerai crowd?
Regards,
MTF
with the incomplete loop on the '6' like on the sandwich dials is exactly what has been unattractive to her until she saw the 049 and 114 "nice font"...hehehe.
Regards,
MTF