So having been a panerai guy for a couple of decades and having owned genuine and reps of the brand, i'm well versed with their background and all the different cases and wearing characteristics. I've had from 42mm to 47mm cases. The one I regret selling was my 243 rep. At the time though, it was a wrist beast and my wife complained about it knocking on her arm when we walked holding hands, etc. It was a big watch for a 44mm.
I found that I developed a love for Submersibles after initially hating them in the pre-fiddy case days. But now I love them. I have what I thought was the sweet spot with the 42mm 960. I've worn that watch more than any other watch over the past year and percentage-wise, likely the most of any watch i've owned.
But... this 1289 might knock it off it's throne.
I've had it a week. I ordered it a couple of months back in the exact week that VSF shut down to avoid the raids. Some patience on my part coupled with great communication on status with Andrew at Trusty and the watch arrived last week. Initially I thought the dial was wrong. It looked black. But under a bright flashlight, I could see the blue easily. And in direct sunlight it's very apparent with an inky blue at the top that gradients to a black blue on the bottom half of the dial.
So fiddy case, 44mm, 15mm thick (just like my 111) and it's a wonderful watch. There is some rotor noise but i can easily fix that. The ceramic insert is glossy and beautiful and the edge of the bezel is polished as well, along with the bezel markers which make a nice contrast to the satin case. The dial is gorgeous as described and is glossy. The lume is phenomenal, putting the sad lume on my 960 to shame, but right up there with my Noob 111 for brightness and lume life. The strap is a dark blue leather lined nylon strap with a screw-in pre-v buckle. While the strap was stiff initially it has broken-in nicely and looks and feels quality. I did order a cow hide strap for it just because. Not sure how this will look with any other strap colour other than blue. we'll see. It also has a rubber insert around the crown which i wasn't sure about initially but now it's just perfect.
The movement is the super clone P900 and so far hasn't lost or gained anything appreciable.
All in all, this is a very very good rep. Super rep? Perhaps and at US$500 i would think it should be.
I found that I developed a love for Submersibles after initially hating them in the pre-fiddy case days. But now I love them. I have what I thought was the sweet spot with the 42mm 960. I've worn that watch more than any other watch over the past year and percentage-wise, likely the most of any watch i've owned.
But... this 1289 might knock it off it's throne.
I've had it a week. I ordered it a couple of months back in the exact week that VSF shut down to avoid the raids. Some patience on my part coupled with great communication on status with Andrew at Trusty and the watch arrived last week. Initially I thought the dial was wrong. It looked black. But under a bright flashlight, I could see the blue easily. And in direct sunlight it's very apparent with an inky blue at the top that gradients to a black blue on the bottom half of the dial.
So fiddy case, 44mm, 15mm thick (just like my 111) and it's a wonderful watch. There is some rotor noise but i can easily fix that. The ceramic insert is glossy and beautiful and the edge of the bezel is polished as well, along with the bezel markers which make a nice contrast to the satin case. The dial is gorgeous as described and is glossy. The lume is phenomenal, putting the sad lume on my 960 to shame, but right up there with my Noob 111 for brightness and lume life. The strap is a dark blue leather lined nylon strap with a screw-in pre-v buckle. While the strap was stiff initially it has broken-in nicely and looks and feels quality. I did order a cow hide strap for it just because. Not sure how this will look with any other strap colour other than blue. we'll see. It also has a rubber insert around the crown which i wasn't sure about initially but now it's just perfect.
The movement is the super clone P900 and so far hasn't lost or gained anything appreciable.
All in all, this is a very very good rep. Super rep? Perhaps and at US$500 i would think it should be.
