Panerai recommendations PAM 104 K? Pam 111 K? Lil' help

[Vert]

Hi Folks,

I'm new here and so far I've just been reading up on Panerai and trying to establish which watch might best suit me. What I'm interested in is a movement that has stood the test of time, I would hope to have some confidence in the reliability of the watch. I'm not clear on the difference between the Panerai manual and automatic movements and wouldn't mind any recommendations. I'm in the states, east coast if it matters.

The models that appeal to me are the Pam 104K, the Pam 312K and the Pam 111K. I'd be happy with one that will pass without screaming "Fake" you know, just a good quality rep' I can wear daily. I have visited numerous dealers sites recommended from here of course. There seems to be so much information here I'm having a bit of brain overload. If any of you would be so kind as to point me in the right direction I would certainly appreciate it.

Excellent site here by the way, I have been quite impressed.

Vert

 

[COLDI]

HI welcome Im not sure if a 111k exists as a rep. Best bet might be a 111h. DSN sells a great one that is fully modded (lumed, cp fix, swiss movement, sapphire w/ AR)

 

[DonBrizzel]

As far as movements, swiss or asian unitas 6497 is a pretty solid movement.

 

[COLDI]

I'm not clear on the difference between the Panerai manual and automatic movements and wouldn't mind any recommendations. I'm in the states, east coast if it matters.


Vert

Manual wind is where you wind the crown every day and thats where it gets its power to run the watch. Automatic is where it gets power from the movement of your wrist.

 

[Fiddo]

If I could go back in time and re-purchase my first Panerai rep, I would go for something like this one- viewtopic.php?f=40&t=30479

You can't go wrong with the 111. It will come with a 6497 hand-wind movement. These are pretty good and solid movements. Note- the gen 111's are all hand-wind as well.

I have not seen a 312 rep yet. Not sure one is available?

Robert, Time4Direct, had a 104 as a Daily Special a couple of weeks back, I think. You may want to check out his section.


...and Welcome to RWI! [smilie=wave.gif]

 

[Vert]

Dooh. I had intended to ask which movement tends to have the greater longevity. I'm fine with either a manual wind or auto'.

I don't think a 312 exists as of yet but there is always hope. I'm all over the 111E that David has, I dig that piece like no other. I PM'd Robert to inquire about the 104 he had as a daily special. I think once I get the initial watch I want I can buy additional straps and think about any mods.


While I think about it, my brother lives in Hong Kong, I wonder if that would be of any benefit in securing a nice Pam? Thanks for the welcome I have a feeling I'm going to very much enjoy my new hobby.

 

[COLDI]

DSN ships from HK I'm pretty sure. But he can ship it to you in the states. I've never had a problem

 

[Drulee]

T4D/PWC almost has a 111K He just needs to get the case backs engraved with a "K" S/N for his latest 111 offering. As it has the quick-release system and roller-ball CG lever. I believe that is all that was needed to bring the 111 into the "I,J,K..." series. But it will probably be a while before we see an "I,J,K" series display back from the factories. Heres for hoping I'm wrong

 

[troes04]

I've had a 104 (genuine) and now I have a 111 (rep). I always find myself looking at my watch to check the date...but alas...no date on the 111. So, I'm looking to pick up a 104. Plus...in my opinion manual wind with no date is fine for a watch that you don't wear too often...easy to update the right time, don't have to worry about updating the date. But for an every day watch, automatic is preferrable (to me)...date/time will stay accurate, as long as you keep moving, and no need to wind the watch every day.

So with that does anybody have any recommendations for a 104 with a good lume and waterproofing? I noticed on the puretime website that all their PAM's are listed as "Water Resistant >50 Meters". Does this mean that their watches have all been waterproofed and tested? I have sent them this very question twice and have not received an answer.

thanks in advance...

 

[Drulee]

Don't ever count on any rep being properly treated for water resistance. Get it done by a watch smith afterwards. DSN used to be your best bet to get one that had been properly QC'd and water tested, but even he has been slipping in this regard.

 

[aardian]

Agree with Drulee... Whatever DSN advertises on his QC procedure, do yourself a favor and have the movement serviced and the watch water-tested. Only then can you be sure...

If you're looking for a robust machine in the PAM rep world, go with 111h, get the movement serviced and you'll find that the watch will run strong for many many years.

If you want a robust movement in a 104, swap it with a swiss 7750. If you want to stick with the Asian 7750, get it serviced. But not many modders will touch that movement since it's a complex movement and a pain to service. Rex over at RG services A7750 but even then he doesn't provide a guarantee. Vac used to service it but he no longer touches it and I can understand why: time consuming, parts availability, customers balking out at last minute due to cost, etc.

Oh... I think that it'll be a while till we see the 312 repped. The problem would be the subdial positioning. It doesn't fit any currently available movements and the only way to get around it is to implement some transfer gears, that means same problem as the IWC Portuguese Chrono, the movement will surely die.

Everything else, we've got it: case, crystal, CG, crown, hands, ability to replicate dial & caseback, spring loaded lugs, roller ball at end og CG lever... The issue is the movement.