PAM 292M - love the ceramic

[Risenshine85]

Hi

Can 292 owners comment on the whole ceramic thing?
- I heard from Toro that the in the "M" version lugs are no longer an issue.
- Manual wind tho

I am just worried about Ceramic shipping ... sometimes my watches have hit the desk while I am working.

Can someone comment on it.

 

[1234_cool_uncle]

292 models are often get the crack near lug holes.

except this point, they are good!

 

[MadeOfCheese]

I have the 292M and the ceramic finish is excellent and very hard-wearing.

I like the manual wind as it lies flatter and looks great (IMO)

The only issue I have is that the lug screws are very soft and it's difficult to change straps without mashing the screwdriver slots. Also, because of the coating, if any part of silver is exposed on the lug bars it shows up really badly.

So, my advice: buy one, decide what strap you want and don't change it - then you'll have an awesome watch!

 

[Arism]

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/first-many-pam292-104862

The K and M versions are good watches.
The 6497 is a great movement, very reliable. The fact that it is handwind shouldn't deter you, ~30-50winds gives me around 48hours of run time. You can either let it run down or just give it ~20-30turns everyday to keep it running.

The Ceramic will stand up to knocks and scrapes but the places prone to chipping are around the lug holes. This is because the ceramic is thinner in those areas.
Wearing the watch in normal conditions, the chance of chipping the ceramic there is very, very low. if chipping does occur, it tends to happen when you are changing the strap and try to force the lug bar into the hole while not properly aligned.

All in all, the 292 is a great watch close to a super rep if not already one.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/evaluation-pam-replicas-100533

 

[Risenshine85]

So it's ceramic costing? And internal body is steal.
I have a montblanc time walker and about 3-4 times while walking or while working ....I hit the edge of the watch on the desk.

I have seen some crack cases (del's?) ...when you say hard wearing what do you mean? It's such a beautiful watch I am scared to spend money and find out I scratched it.


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Another question - if ceramic does chip - can it be replaced/fixed?


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[montrealer]

Don't worry about all the reported failures. If you are carefull and screw carefully, softly with proper allignement, never over thighten, you should be fine. Mine whitstood multiple strap changes and hits and is still in perfect shape...
Like MadeOfCheese said, just put the right strap on this watch and you'll have a stunner !

Mine on Altamarea croc

 

[Risenshine85]

Thanks for the response. Are you really from Montreal? Lol. I am from Tdot!
I am just worried about banging it.

Have you has mishaps like that where while closing the door or working on the desk you by mistake hit it hard. I am just worrie about the durability of the ceramic. Since its harder than steal it can also be very brittle. No room for compression essentially.

Also can someone comment if this is actually complete ceramic or it is a ceramic coating, man I love this watch... I am practically drooling!


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[montrealer]

Look,

Ceramic vs stainless steel when hit hard (I mean real hard) = ceramic will crack and stainless will ding.

But lets face it, for regular day wear, ceramic is better for real life activitie because it wont scratch when you reach for your car keys in your pocket, scrape it on a zipper etc... And chances are that if you plan to wear a radiomir, it's probably not for a downhill bike ride or to fight a grizzly bear. For that type of use, you're probably better with a Suunto or a G-Shock

(yes... I'm from Montreal)

 

[Alex_P1]

From what I've read of the 292, a few of the K series did have an issue with the lugs, however it wasn't particularly common and could have a preventative fix. This has now been resolved with the M series.

I wouldn't be too concerned with the durability of the ceramic case as you'll really have to hit it to seriously damage it, the kind of impact which would put an unsightly dent in a steel watch.

As far as I understand, the case is fully ceramic with some steel inserts.

I now prefer manual wind to automatic and the 6947 certainly has plenty of good reviews. My PAM 112 runs for over 48 hours with a full wind, so lasts as well as aq decent automatic.

The 292M from Toro is my next watch, probably ordering it next week...

 

[ALE7575]

Hi
Below the current comments about these replicas

PAM 292 Full Ceramic construction
This is the replica version made of Black Sandblasted Ceramic like the gen.

EVALUATION: (**) SUPER REP (M-series from H maker), (*) FIRST CLASS REP (K-series H maker, see below comments)
The gen PAM 292 is similar to PAM 183 but made of Black sandblasted finish Ceramic instead of polished SS and fitted with solid caseback. It seems more similar to the PAM 380 but this last watch has a very different Logo Sausage dial instead of conventional Sandwich dial.
The gen Black Panerai Radiomir PAM 292 was first introduced in 2007 and it is now slowly making its way to the lucky few on the waiting lists. As opposed to other earlier black Panerai watches - like the Pre V 202/A and 203/A, the PAM 4,9,26, 360 and 195 - this Radiomir is not a PVD coated watch. Its case is Ceramic. There is currently only one other ceramic Panerai watch, which is the PAM 317.
PVD watches are made with stainless steel cases to which a black coating (PVD) is applied. Panerai themselves feel that especially the early PVD cases turned out to be too fragile. The cases scratch easily and once that happens, there's not much you can do about it. Ceramic however, is about five times harder than stainless steel and as a result much less prone to scratches. The new Ceramic watches are Panerai's solution for a much more reliable product. But the production process of ceramic watches is much more complicated and time consuming - mainly because the material is so hard. The cases are not molded, but made by machining. This is most likely why it has taken quite long for the first watches to be delivered to their owners. But, it's worth the wait.
There is another interesting detail about this Black Seal. Although the watch is not a Special Edition, the 2008 run does no longer have the little submarine SLC torpedo with two frogman riders- often referred to as the "pig"- on the dial. This seems to make the 2007 J-series a very collectible watch. The J-series is limited to 1000 pieces and another 1500 pieces will be made for the K-series (2008). The gen PAM 292 is part of the Panerai “Historic†Radiomir models, it has a Sandwich black dial in a cushion shaped Radiomir black Ceramic case 45mm, with detachable wire lugs with, seconds@9 sub-dial, Solid caseback and movement Panerai OP XI calibre, ETA based, it is manual winding by a onion shaped crown which has OP logo engraved.
This replica Full Black Ceramic version of PAM 292 is made of real Black Ceramic and with sandblasted type finish very close to the gen. Sometimes this replica is even sold cheaper than the equivalent in Black PVD SS.
Be careful because some replicas from K-series H-maker had a very serious issue with an incorrect glue being used causing the case to split apart and making the lugs useless. Maker fixed this issue in the following models (thanks info from AHX).
We can consider the Full Ceramic K-series as First Class rep (be careful with the above mentioned issue), and the Full Ceramic M-series from H maker as a Super Rep.
A good candidate for a first PAM replica
REPLICA links:
(**)http://www.puretime.co/product/pam292-m-ceramic-transparent-ar-11-on-hand-stitched-black-calf-leather-strap/
(*)http://www.puretime.co/product/pam292-k-full-sandblasted-ceramic-11-ultimate-edition-on-thick-stitched-black-leather-strap/
(**)http://www.timesshop.net/12372-pa7240b-pam292-m-h-factory-black-ceramic-casing-1-1-asian-6497.html
(**)http://www.timeshops.net/12212-pa0463b100-pam292m-radiomir-black-seal-black-ceramic-casing-asian-6497.html
(*)http://www.timesshop.net/10311-pam292-panerai-radiomir-black-seal-black-dial-ceramic-lt-asian-6497.html
(*)http://asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=&P_id=2154&ti=
(**)http://www.marvellousreplica.com/products_detail.php?ProId=1555
(*)http://www.marvellousreplica.com/products_detail.php?ProId=671
(**)http://www.trustytime.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_45&products_id=8745
(*)http://www.trustytime.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_45&products_id=7632
GEN links:
http://www.paneraisource.com/watch_details/Historic_13.html
http://www.panerai.com/s_page.xpd?id_lingua=2&id_sezione=16&id_prodotto=7284&id_categoria=3205

 

[Risenshine85]

Thanks for your comments guys, man I love this forum. Everyone is so supporting!!!!
Thanks, I'll be ordering it soon!!!

Now I have to wonder black vs brown strap. I already have a timewalker with brown strap!

 

[montrealer]

Thanks for your comments guys, man I love this forum. Everyone is so supporting!!!!
Thanks, I'll be ordering it soon!!!

Now I have to wonder black vs brown strap. I already have a timewalker with brown strap!

Yup!

That's what this forum is about... Try to get this from gen forums, yeah right !

 

[nielsen]

Brown strap, for sure! Black-on-black? Too much. Saddle brown or even lighter. Gorgeous! I'd even go for a stitchless for that truly simple-but-sophisticated look .....hey, you asked

 

[Risenshine85]

Thanks Nielson.
Looking at tan with white stitch.

 

[Risenshine85]

I am thinking about the black strap as well. This will make it look more stealth like, and look like gen. I am confused which strap option should I get.

I am too scared to change the strap myself. I heard/read you can damage the coating if you try to change it yourself.

Can someone give ideas which strap shoudl I get? I am planning to wear it to work. I work in boring large crporate world

 

[montrealer]

I am too scared to change the strap myself. I heard/read you can damage the coating if you try to change it yourself.

Holy cow man grow some balls and buy a good proper sized screwdriver... Lol! It will NOT explode, disintegrate or melt.

I can recommend the 26/22mm black gator from the watchboys.

http://www.thewatchboys.com/black-alligator-with-black-stitch-for-tang-buckle-p-257.html

It's reasonably priced, a lot less than the gen OP gator but looks just as nice and it is very well built. I use it on my 288K and it looks like a million dollars.

 

[Risenshine85]

Sorry man. Itll be my first ceramic watch.

Thanks for sending the strap option.

For screwdriver, is eBay the best place?

 

[Arism]

Changing the strap is easy and safe if you do it carefully.
This is a great picture tutorial on how to do it while preventing scratches and lost screws ----> Changing Radiomir Strap

As for strap options, the world is your oyster. There are a plethora of strap manufacturers that make excellent straps. It really depends on your own personal style and how much you are willing to spend on a strap.

 

[nielsen]

Sorry man. Itll be my first ceramic watch.

Thanks for sending the strap option.

For screwdriver, is eBay the best place?

I bought a set of cheap jeweller's screw drivers years ago. You know: the sets that come in a plastic boxes with ten screwdrivers for $7. Junk! Go to a proper jeweller's supply source and buy three or four screwdrivers of different size for about $8-10 per piece. The ones I bought have replaceable blades. Makes all the difference in the world. Nothing like using cheap tools. Nothing like using good ones!

 

[Risenshine85]

Ordered through TD on Tuesday. Waiting for QC pictures. How long does it usually take?