Black Seal

[thelawnmowerman]

Panerai experts.....maybe you can help me out with this question.

On the Black Seal Watches why does the writing on the dial appear sometimes in a different order,
I mean the words , Panerai, Black Seal and Radomir, they seam to get shifted around in a different order,
Its the 183 that I'm talking about, I've seen it advertised in a few different guises, are they all correct?
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[merlin699]

It's just a matter of time...

Hy!
The PAM 183 had until the "G"-Series the "PANERAI" on the 12 position and the "BLACK SEAL" on the 6 position. Also the movement is "covered" with "PANERAI". With the "H" series (2005) the letters on the dial swapped and on the movement there is only one logo "OFFICINE PANERAI".
I hope this helped. My english is not that good.
Merlin

Year Designator:
Each year's product gets a letter
J: 2007
I: 2006
H: 2005
G: 2004
F: 2003
E: 2002
D: 2001
C: 2000
B: 1999
A: 1998
(no letter): 1997

 

[neverworn]

Re: It's just a matter of time...

Hy!
The PAM 183 had until the "G"-Series the "PANERAI" on the 12 position and the "BLACK SEAL" on the 6 position. Also the movement is "covered" with "PANERAI". With the "H" series (2005) the letters on the dial swapped and on the movement there is only one logo "OFFICINE PANERAI".
I hope this helped. My english is not that good.
Merlin

Year Designator:
Each year's product gets a letter
J: 2007
I: 2006
H: 2005
G: 2004
F: 2003
E: 2002
D: 2001
C: 2000
B: 1999
A: 1998
(no letter): 1997

[smilie=hello2.gif] [smilie=hello2.gif]

 

[thehorse]

Was wondering about that myself. Thanks.

 

[merlin699]

pix

Here is the "old" one - until 2004:





and the "new" one - from 2005 on:





Merlin

 

[thelawnmowerman]

such a wealth of knowledge, thanks guys.

 

[babola]

@merlin699

Bro, first ever PAM183 Black Seal series model was made in 2004, in G-series. There wasn't any 183 BS made prior to '04. :wink:

Other details you mention are spot on

cheers,
babola

 

[Aji]

Babola,

Do you know if the older models command more cash on the 2nd hand market?

 

[babola]

Babola,

Do you know if the older models command more cash on the 2nd hand market?

Gen 183 G-series from 2004 does command slightly higher $$ these days simply due to its dial print uniqueness. It's the only 183 Black Seal that came with Black Seal txt printed above 6 o'clock.

But that's gen PAM talk, we should be really talking rep stuff here

Good 183 G-series rep should follow the suit, it's far fewer 183G reps around these days than 183 H-I series. DSN has 183G available now, with ultimate E-G series ETA 6497 mov't. Paul (ex-WoMart) from pam111.com sells 183G as well with the same ultimate mov't as DSN, however his one requires a relume at least and comes with sapphire x-tall without any A/R.

cheers,
babola

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

One thing that really bothers me about 183 is that the case shape is quite off from the genuine article.

Simply put - rep case is too rounded compared to more squared-looking gen's pillow case - it sounds like a small difference, but makes quite a big difference when you compare the two in person (I had a chance to visit an AD with my rep on). Replica looks smaller than gen (although it's approximately the same 45mm diameter) because of the rounded edges.

It's a shame, since the dial and other details (well... except for the standard recessed pin and weak lume issues) are pretty much spot on.