Advice and help choosing a post raid Panerai Rep

Chronofrigger · 24/12/21

If you were in the market to buy a PAM today, what would you do? Would you

a. Wait
b. Buy from available VSF stock
c. Buy a HWF

Background for this question:

When I started with rep watches, I hated PAMs... big ugly... and did I mention big. So I thought.. but then slowly but surely, they wormed their way into my heart.
The first time I considered buying a Panerai rep was when the 0985 Mike Horn edition was released. But by the time I was ready the raids happened. Not sure if it's available any more.

Now I need some help in finding a new Pam. My problem is, there are just so many models. And I don't know enough, with availability so uncertain I am confused.

I am heading the in the direction of a VSF 1661 currently being offered on /r/Reptime, (by some TD at another site) but I wanted to see if there are other options available.
Here's what I am looking for:

Something that I can get from any TD here (rather than aftermarket sales).
- reasonably close to NWBIG
- Prefer a steel case, open back if possible
- Arabic numerals, Date/Calendar
- excellent lume
- prefer synthetic straps

If you were buying a PAM today, what would you get based on current market situation? Post model and factory please

shyreplover · 24/12/21

If you like Mike Horn pam 985 why don't you contact every TDs in the list? It's better satisfy your craving with something that you desire rather than a substitute. I'm pretty sure they will be able to source one for you. Besides I'm not sure VSF still make pam 985 even before the raid.

KOT1917 · 24/12/21

Hello.

What VSF stands for:
every dealer who has models from this factory has their own list of available models, and you have to choose from them. Someone has 3, someone has 10, and someone has 20, but in fact it is 2.
Therefore, you can advise a mock, but you cannot give a recommendation based on the balances of dealers today.

Next, regarding your list of model requests:
There are many VSF models (PAM312, PAM1312, PAM1056, PAM1025 and many more), but the availability of VSF is not constant, and may not be at all soon, when the volume runs out.

All HWF models are 6497 and dateless.

There will remain TTF PAM1312 and PAM1314, which are not at all ideal, but choosing from a black and white dial is not so difficult.

I would suggest that you decide whether you want an automatic watch, or hand wind, if automatic, then 44 mm or 47 mm, and then it will become much easier.

rcom440 · 24/12/21

Noob pam005 and pam111 are also available but it seems they are only available from puretime. I just ordered Noob pam005.

Chronofrigger · 24/12/21

KOT1917 said:
Next, regarding your list of model requests:
There are many VSF models (PAM312, PAM1312, PAM1056, PAM1025 and many more), but the availability of VSF is not constant, and may not be at all soon, when the volume runs out.

All HWF models are 6497 and dateless.

There will remain TTF PAM1312 and PAM1314, which are not at all ideal, but choosing from a black and white dial is not so difficult.

I would suggest that you decide whether you want an automatic watch, or hand wind, if automatic, then 44 mm or 47 mm, and then it will become much easier.

KOT1917 You are the man! Thank you sir. This is very helpful.

Looking through your recommendations, PAM1025 best fits what I prefer. I just hope someone can get their hands on it!
PAM 1312 and 312 would be my next choices.

Also, had no idea there was a Cricket Homage Watch (PAM 1056), but now I know.

shyreplover - While I did like the 984/985 back then, I have moved on - After getting an Omega 300m and Submariner looking for a (non rotating bezel) cleaner look of 1025.

rcom440 - thanks for the recommendation the PAM111 Noob v12 does look very nice!

hendric · 26/12/21

Chronofrigger said:
Looking through your recommendations, PAM1025 best fits what I prefer. I just hope someone can get their hands on it!

I think the 1025 is a great choice. In fact, I just ordered one yesterday with Toro Bravo.
Toro has a stock list online. I also saw the blue dial PAM 1313 on the list, also nice.
Maybe other TD's can supply it as well.

I also ordered a nice brown leather strap and a rep deployment buckle at Etsy

I kinda want to create this look:

lceniza · 28/12/21

I have the VSF Pam312. No complaints. I love it.

hendric · 28/12/21

lceniza said:
I have the VSF Pam312. No complaints. I love it.

Beautiful, I love the strap! :applause:

The colors of the dial of the PAM 312 are very similar to the PAM 1025. I made a quick animated gif.

lceniza · 28/12/21

hendric said:
Beautiful, I love the strap! :applause:

The colors of the dial of the PAM 312 are very similar to the PAM 1025. I made a quick animated gif.

Thank you! It's a vintage ammo strap I bought on Paneristi.

lceniza · 28/12/21

hendric said:
Beautiful, I love the strap! :applause:

The colors of the dial of the PAM 312 are very similar to the PAM 1025. I made a quick animated gif.

And you're right... the 312 and 1025 are very similar.

lceniza · 28/12/21

And you're right... the 312 and 1025 are very similar.

KOT1917 · 28/12/21

In fact, it is more of a specific angle and lighting, which does not allow to see the sunbrust effect on the 1025 dial so clearly and at the same time, makes the green-white lume pam312 a little beige anyway. Indeed, this watch has a rather clear difference.

hendric · 28/12/21

KOT1917 said:
In fact, it is more of a specific angle and lighting, which does not allow to see the sunbrust effect on the 1025 dial so clearly

Yes, the sunburst effect of the PAM 1025 is only visible under certain lighting:

Video: https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/comments/l7bn8t/wrist_roll_pam1025_couldnt_find_the_word_to/

hendric · 28/12/21

I hope to be able to take pictures myself soon because today I gave the green light for the Toro Bravo QC images. My PAM 1025 will be shipped this week.

lceniza · 28/12/21

hendric said:
Yes, the sunburst effect of the PAM 1025 is only visible under certain lighting:

Video: https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/com...d_the_word_to/

Just noticed that on the 1025. Looks amazing!

Chronofrigger · 30/12/21

For posterity, and closure for anyone reading this thread in the future researching VSF PAM 1025.

I got the QC pics and GL the watch from torobravo. Fairly quick response in getting pics and questions answered.

Waiting on shipping/tracking info.

hendric · 30/12/21

I also received the QC pics and GL the VSF PAM 1025 from torobravo. Also waiting on shipping/tracking info.

Hazing · 31/12/21

I love that 1025 and I was always surprised it didn’t get more love. I think the reason this mode was such a sleeper is because it was oroginally released amidst a flood of other releases. Like the 1662, 1663, 1661, 1313, 1033.1117/8/9 and it was just lost in the mountain.

I always did it it was released just a few months before (or later) and we all would be going nuts for it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Björn_Ironside · 1/1/22

with white dial what can you currently find?

KOT1917 · 1/1/22

PAM1314 VSF (Dealers who have it), and PAM1314 TTF. Regarding PAM1394, I'm not sure, I have not heard that any of the dealers offered them within the current stock, but you can clarify about this

Advice and help choosing a post raid Panerai Rep

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