Luminor GMT PAM 029
Pictorial review
Pictorial review
A few weeks ago I saw this watch posted m2m over at RWG at a great price and could not let it go. Very wise choice
The strap mounted for the pics is a Dirk Vero Cuoio in 1994 cognac: a very well made, comfortable, great looking and not overpriced strap from a Panerai legend and an incredibly nice and humble guy.
THE GEN
This Panerai model went through three different "revisions". Its distinctive feature is the particular textured dial, used only on this model since its initial release, called "tuxedo dial".
1998 A series featured tritium lumed indices and numbers, all around the dial the seconds were marked in white.
In 1999 B series dial lume was upgraded to luminova, the seconds markers remained.
After B series production was stopped, then in 2010 it was re-released as a special limited 1000 pieces edition: the tuxedo dial was there, but the seconds markers disappeared.
Here's the three versions, A, B, M series from left to right:
THE REP
Model: PAM 029 M
Maker: Noob
Movement: a2836 with GMT module
Dealer: m2m (thanks peedog
)A and B series reps are offered by DSN, the version reviewed here is instead from Noob and replicates the 2010's M series limited edition.
In ALE's guide it's evaluated as super rep and I can't do anything but agree, there is hardly any visible difference with the gen, which is also a pretty rare watch.
This rep was released in its current version back in 2012, you can find HERE and HERE two beautiful pictorials posted by DEL.
Let's see it a bit more in depth:
CASE
GEN
REP
Case is the standard Luminor 44 mm, mid case is polished as well as the CG, bezel is brushed with black GMT markers.
Not a lot to say about it, it's the well know and pretty much accurate noob case, with a little fat lugs.
Cushion shape is super nice and the overall feeling is quite solid, as usual with a noob product.
The bezel is very well replicated, with deeply engraved black painted numbers.
CRYSTAL
Crystal is sapphire with colorless single AR. As usual with most PAMs (gen and reps), AR is not the best and the crystal catches reflection of the surroundings pretty easily. No readability problems though, and it's really colorless.
The date mag, placed on the inner side of the crystal, shows a bit of a frozen halo effect. It's not disturbing by any means, but it can help telling a rep from a gen nonetheless.
***EDIT***
This watch has double AR, as per gen spec. Thanks Grimlocktime for correcting me
*********
DIAL
GEN
REP
The tuxedo dial is the disctintive trait of PAM 029, it has been used by Panerai only for this model, and is indeed something beautiful and very classy.
The vertical lines appear and disappear depending on how the light catches them.
The numbers and indices are applied on the dial in a light greenish color (a bit greener than gen), with a glossy finish and sausage shape.
As usual, the "sausage" looks flatter in gen.
Inscriptions are crisp, well placed and fonts are correct.
This definitely is super-lumed
Edit: As noticed by Ruski91, it is worth mentioning the lume overflow on hands, particularly visible in this lume pic.
HANDS
PAM 029 features matte black skeleton hands, as well as most GMT Panerai models. GMT hand has a matte black body, which allows only the arrow point to be visible.
A nice design touch is the metal seconds hand, it catches the light in a beautiful way and really adds something to to entire look of the watch.
Hands shape is perfect, lume application is very good (except the lume overflow before mentioned) and color matches the indices on the dial.
CROWNGUARD
Crownguard is polished, with polished CG pin and brushed lever, recalling the contrast between polished mid-case and brushed bezel.
CG shape is great as usual with Noob reps, inner corners are sharp and fitment is correct. Lever shuts tight with a nice click. CG pin is almost flush, though it should be slightly recessed.
I must admit I never quite liked polished CGs in pics, but now that I have one on hand I can say I was completely wrong as it really looks great!
CASEBACK
GEN
REP
Caseback is closed on this rep, engravings are deep with correct size and placement of inscriptions.
CONCLUSIONS
Well, PAM 029 is known to be possibly the best PAM rep in absolute. As a matter of fact it is really hard to find something to criticize on this rep, almost everything is perfect or close to perfect: case is beautiful and pretty accurate, dial is spot on, CG is almost flawless, as is caseback.
What else can I say? Recently there have been many very interesting new releases (389, 438, 441, 569, 508, 512, 332 are only a few of them...), so all the buyer's attention is dragged by them.
This probably IS the best rep on the market though, and every PAM lover should have one in his collection before it runs out of stock.
And a few more pics
As usual any input and comment is very welcome, I would be glad to update the review with anything I missed.
Hope you enjoyed the reading and pics!
:cheers:
