First time Panerai for virgin

[umimiu]

Hi,

I'm a Panerai virgin. Ideally, I would love a 111 or a Luminor Flyback 1950 - as genuine - but to get an idea of how they look and feel, I'd like a nice cheap robust rep to experience if I will like getting a genuine or not. Yes, I am fully aware of things like the numbering, spacing of letters, swan neck, crown, buckle etc for identifying the gen vs. rep (when I say aware, I mean aware - I am no expect).

I saw Hont has this watch on offer, and it has an ok lume (from the pics) and it's under $100 US (which is what I am aiming for) ..

http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/...i/Pam00005/Pam005 asia 6497 swans neck 90usd/

do you think it is worth it? anything I should know about this watch? I am assuming it's 44mm (emailed Hont, waiting for reply).

I know it's not a 111 but it looks similar and may be a good watch to lose my pamginity too

 

[ShadowB]

If you are serious about Panerai's get a DNS PAM. You won't even feel the need to get a gen after one of his premium DNS PAM's

 

[umimiu]

If I was going to get an expensive rep, I'd get one from Sead from RP. The whole idea is getting a cheap, reliable one (albeit, with flaws) just so I can get a feel for weight, look and experience. I can worry about details later.

Does Davidsen do ones for around $100 USD?

 

[cptkirk]

I went through the same thing and reached out to the forum for help and went with the PAM005.
I also looked at Honts because of the price but the glass is mineral and I'm not sure if the logo is pointing to the right side of the E like it should. for a little more money I went with Trevor and love it. I just bought another one (same kind for a friend) and got another strap (A2) from TooTall.

Check out this link and here what others said that helped me to decided.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/need-help-pam-005-111h-48245?t=48245
Good luck.

 

[Fiddo]

The one in your link form Hont should give you a good base for size, look, feel etc... Yes, the 005 is 44mm. One thing to note.... the 005 has a solid case back while the 111 has a clear case back.

 

[umimiu]

man, thank you so much. I have been told either DSN for high quality, or entry level go with Trevor. So, looks like Trev is the man for good quality entry level Pam's. Also helps me decide as it seems as though the 005 is a better rep than the 111 (for the price) odd considering the popularity of the 111 as a gen and rep!

What size is the 005? 44mm? (trevorwatch.info is down at the moment).

Ok just been answered - it is 44mm. Thank you

I am fine with a closer case, if it means the rest of the watch is of better quality. I don't know of any people who will approach me or friends who would notice/care about the back case.. although I have noticed a few youngsters in London with Panerai's at clubs and what not and have approached them.. they always say "its real" .. hehe

 

[ShadowB]

Tell me how it is, i'm thinking of snatching a DNS 005 later.

 

[Ausin]

I think is a good deal for the price.

 

[BigChief]

Sead over at RG has the best 111 for the money IMO.
If you want the "best" version you will need to get a LH but then you are looking at over a grand.

 

[hooligan]

That still boggles my mind every time I see that price. Would you rather have 3 LH watches or would you rather have one used PAM111? That's a no brainer for me...

 

[shark_watch]

Hont is fine: you get for what you pay

Just got a PAM 111 ftom hont with clear-case back, swan neck, etc.

I'm very satisfied, runs great, and the saphire glass A/R is amazing. The only drawback is that this saphire glass gives it a blueish look but it doesn't bother me. The watch goes for 260$ but it was definitely worth it.

Hont had the Luminor Flyback 1950 for 90$ but with mineral glass which didn't work for me. Remember also that the 1950 is a 47mm watch. It's much larger than both the 005 or the 111 and too bulky from my wrist.

Good luck!