My new Ultimate 188 and some family shots

[as00_maximus]

My first Panerai Rep was a PAM 188 with A7750 that I over paid for about 7 years ago. This is the watch that started my love affair with Panerai. I contemplated many times fitting a 7753 movement and thick DW to make it as close to gen as possible. Sadly I sold that watch about 2 months ago.

Well, thanks to a few Geeks, and lots of patience my search is over. I have decided to promise myself to be a spectator for a while. Well, without further ado, I present IMO the Ultimate PAM 188.

note the non sunken DW......oh yea 7753 baby

T48 Crown, nicely flattened CG pin

Please excuse the meek Iphone pictures. Family pictures below.

Gens on the top row, Reps on the bottom:

By far my favorite:

The newest addition:

The first watch I ever bought:

and my alternates:

***Please excuse the crappy pictures and my skills (or lack there of)

 

[polaris]

Nice 188. The non-sunken date wheel makes a huge huge difference to the dial.
Made me do a double take as I scrolled through the pictures before reading.
Congratulations

 

[deloreandmc]

Love it, but still, if you have enough money for a gen breitling, why not save for a gen pam 188?

 

[as00_maximus]

@deloreandmc: I know I know. I actually got a good deal on the SA ($3500 at AD). Ive been putting some cash away for a gen 188 or any other daylight for that matter, but uncle sam really bent me over last year so the savings continue. I am actually crossing my fingers and hoping that Panerai prices go down a bit (wishful thinking) but in doing some research, you can find a gen 188 for about $5500 which isnt bad. one day.

I really think the 188 completed by idea of a watch collection, although I am still contemplating a Swiss Breitling Seawolf, I also had my 253 on sale here but im thinking of putting in updated dial and sending it to avitt for DLC coating. I need me a nice PVD/DLC watch.

 

[babola]

My first Panerai Rep was a PAM 188 with A7750 that I over paid for about 7 years ago.

Ahem...come again?
The first PAM188 white Daylight chrono was released 6 years ago...and you managed to source its rep a year before its release - wow, we have a true magician among our midst

 

[as00_maximus]

Actually 6 yrs sounds about right. All I know is that I paid $800 for it as I thought it had a Swiss 7750 and got duped with a A7750 (it actually just sold recently here). But I wont lie, it was a work horse always worked as expected, although the sunken DW stopped me from wearing it.
here is a pic:

But Ive revived that passion with this new acquisition. I cant stop looking at it.

 

[R2D4]

Very nice Maximus! Thanks for sharing it with us here. Where did you source the 7753 from if I may ask?

 

[alvinado]

wow, i am really impressed, the high datewheel on the 7753 really makes the watch! Congrats bud..

 

[as00_maximus]

Thanks guys, Thank you Alvinado. I am really enjoying this watch, and the fact it has a Swiss 7753 makes it all the better. A watch I can depend on and keep for a while. I like the strap its on but want to find another one that may suit it better. Any ideas?

 

[harrisonvendlor]

Where can I buy this watch? All the versions on the dealers I've checked look different;

http://puretimewatch.com/product/pam188-swiss-eta-7753/


lume dots and sunken/non sunken dials

 

[Gen-X]

Harrison, that's a 251, not a 188. The 251 was a replacement for the 188, had a cream white as opposed to white dial, and had the lume dots instead of the numbers. The 251 also has a brushed instead of polished case like the 188.

It looks like puretime has switched the pictures of the 188 and 251, better make sure you are getting the right one!