PAM 366 - the FU (?) was announced on August 2010 by Panerai. The reason for this watch seems to be that, after five successful years in the Chinese market, Panerai wants to show that it respects and understands the Chinese culture. Reception was rather mixed, since loyal Paneristi did not like the "departure" from Western design.
The dial is known from other special editions: faux patina luminova and a bit different shapes of digits BUT there is the FU character (?) instead of 6. That's not the end - the caseback, on the contrary, was as ordinary as for any other Luminor. No special egravings etc.
The production was quite big as for special editions - according to the numbers found on the caseback - 1500 units were to be made. Price approx. $4400 - in other words, relatively high production / relatively low price as for SE.
Some quote from a review:
"The concept of the time-honored Chinese character Fu (good fortune or happiness) is explained in ancient Chinese writings in five aspects: longevity, prosperity, health, virtue and a well-ended life. People in China have been posting decorations of Fu (usually written on red paper) on their door fronts since the time of Southern Sung Dynasty. To others, the character speaks of ones best wishes; to oneself, it is an expression of the pursuit of happiness. Numerous set phrases with positive meanings consist of which and they signify the Chinese peoples aspiration after good lives. As time goes by, the meaning of Fu is further extended and expanded; yet, the posting tradition persists as the term never ceases to implicate being blessed and protected and having good fortune. Officine Panerai has therefore infused the character into the dial to create a perfect fusion of Chinese tradition elements and Italian classic design. It is also the wish of the brand that every wearer will receive this valuable blessing and be grateful."
Some people from Western countries, while being unable to read Chinese characters, quickly found out that ? characters resembles a person ...pushing overloaded shopping trolly. This can really represent prosperity for China since "the People's Republic of China getting wealthy by peddling consumer goods all across the globe". The original author of this character was truly a visionary, indeed
Nice find about PAM 366 and its brother - PAM 367:
"(…)They actually made 2, the PAM00366 and PAM00367. The PAM00366 is the one you see here, a limited edition of 1,500 pieces. The other is the PAM00367. It is the same as the PAM00366 but instead of the 'FU' at the 6 o'clock position, you have the normal Arabic '6'. The PAM00367 is a limited edition run of 500 pieces. These watches were sold in the Panerai Boutique in Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei.
The major difference between these limited edition and the normal limited edition is that these did not come with the limited edition scroll, large box, extra strap and tool to change the strap. However they are one of the cheapest limited edition watches from Panerai. "
PAM 367 is not exactly like PAM 366 with 6 at the 6 o'clock position instead of ? - shapes of 12 and 3 on dials are different, too. Shapes on PAM 367 are of the same shape/thickness as has been used on all painted historic luminova dials (PAM000, PAM0005, etc.) while on PAM 366 font shapes are taken from special editions. One common point - faux patina lume.
Another interesting find:
"(…) Initially, the PAM366 should have a limited run of 1500pcs, with the "FU" wording but somehow, Panerai decided to manufacture only 1000 pcs and remaining 500pcs were replaced by the PAM367.
PAM366 = 1000
PAM367 = 500
So, a total of 1500 LE for the Greater China market.
But for the PAM366 you'll still see Mxxxx/1500 even though only 1000 were produced."
THAT'S IT, only 1000 pieces of PAM 366…"
Reception on Chinese market was probably quite lukewarm. One reviewer got it right: "If people in China want to buy watches made for the Chinese market, they have loads of local options. When they buy Panerai they want an Italian watch with an Italian or Swiss movement.".
Anyway, watches were sold and are quite rare to appear on aftermarket with a price tag around $7000.
In rep-world it was 1:1 repped only by H-maker. Wasn't recognized attractive enough by Noob to rep it. It is going to be rare rep, too
For me it has that "something". I had an opportunity to spend almost a year in Taipei - it reminds me about this adventure. For some time after this period I really felt like "hanging" between two cultures. I got the rep since I am going to purchase a gen of this watch next month (small trip to Taiwan, again). Expect gen vs rep comparison, if everything will go just fine. Dealing with reps will have an additional benefit when I get back from Taipei - "of course this is a rep, Honey!" will be believable
Now to photos:
Some GENs:
Comparison photo of 366, 367 and 000. You can observe patina lume and changes in font shapes:
Well, worth looking perspective: if you see someone sitting next to you, the dial of his watch is likely to be observed upside down. I found 366 dial to be most interesting that way:
About the rep:
This should be considered super rep. Some pictures as taken by TD (piece of paper indicates GEN):
This is why I expect there are shortage of this rep now - my watch came with an 'asso' strap instead of the original black with creamy stich. I don't care but it is a sign of full package completion problems at least.
…and some garden photos It is VERY hard to reproduce faux patina color. When non light charged it looks more like pumpkin than what you see on the photos. Mind that when you pick up Your 366
005, 366 and 243
"Lume Brothers"
And an obligatory wrist shot.
I found this watch (with patina lume) to go very well with all natural colors like brown etc. Looks better than on black straps.
The dial is known from other special editions: faux patina luminova and a bit different shapes of digits BUT there is the FU character (?) instead of 6. That's not the end - the caseback, on the contrary, was as ordinary as for any other Luminor. No special egravings etc.
The production was quite big as for special editions - according to the numbers found on the caseback - 1500 units were to be made. Price approx. $4400 - in other words, relatively high production / relatively low price as for SE.
Some quote from a review:
"The concept of the time-honored Chinese character Fu (good fortune or happiness) is explained in ancient Chinese writings in five aspects: longevity, prosperity, health, virtue and a well-ended life. People in China have been posting decorations of Fu (usually written on red paper) on their door fronts since the time of Southern Sung Dynasty. To others, the character speaks of ones best wishes; to oneself, it is an expression of the pursuit of happiness. Numerous set phrases with positive meanings consist of which and they signify the Chinese peoples aspiration after good lives. As time goes by, the meaning of Fu is further extended and expanded; yet, the posting tradition persists as the term never ceases to implicate being blessed and protected and having good fortune. Officine Panerai has therefore infused the character into the dial to create a perfect fusion of Chinese tradition elements and Italian classic design. It is also the wish of the brand that every wearer will receive this valuable blessing and be grateful."
Some people from Western countries, while being unable to read Chinese characters, quickly found out that ? characters resembles a person ...pushing overloaded shopping trolly. This can really represent prosperity for China since "the People's Republic of China getting wealthy by peddling consumer goods all across the globe". The original author of this character was truly a visionary, indeed
Nice find about PAM 366 and its brother - PAM 367:
"(…)They actually made 2, the PAM00366 and PAM00367. The PAM00366 is the one you see here, a limited edition of 1,500 pieces. The other is the PAM00367. It is the same as the PAM00366 but instead of the 'FU' at the 6 o'clock position, you have the normal Arabic '6'. The PAM00367 is a limited edition run of 500 pieces. These watches were sold in the Panerai Boutique in Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei.
The major difference between these limited edition and the normal limited edition is that these did not come with the limited edition scroll, large box, extra strap and tool to change the strap. However they are one of the cheapest limited edition watches from Panerai. "
PAM 367 is not exactly like PAM 366 with 6 at the 6 o'clock position instead of ? - shapes of 12 and 3 on dials are different, too. Shapes on PAM 367 are of the same shape/thickness as has been used on all painted historic luminova dials (PAM000, PAM0005, etc.) while on PAM 366 font shapes are taken from special editions. One common point - faux patina lume.
Another interesting find:
"(…) Initially, the PAM366 should have a limited run of 1500pcs, with the "FU" wording but somehow, Panerai decided to manufacture only 1000 pcs and remaining 500pcs were replaced by the PAM367.
PAM366 = 1000
PAM367 = 500
So, a total of 1500 LE for the Greater China market.
But for the PAM366 you'll still see Mxxxx/1500 even though only 1000 were produced."
THAT'S IT, only 1000 pieces of PAM 366…"
Reception on Chinese market was probably quite lukewarm. One reviewer got it right: "If people in China want to buy watches made for the Chinese market, they have loads of local options. When they buy Panerai they want an Italian watch with an Italian or Swiss movement.".
Anyway, watches were sold and are quite rare to appear on aftermarket with a price tag around $7000.
In rep-world it was 1:1 repped only by H-maker. Wasn't recognized attractive enough by Noob to rep it. It is going to be rare rep, too
For me it has that "something". I had an opportunity to spend almost a year in Taipei - it reminds me about this adventure. For some time after this period I really felt like "hanging" between two cultures. I got the rep since I am going to purchase a gen of this watch next month (small trip to Taiwan, again). Expect gen vs rep comparison, if everything will go just fine. Dealing with reps will have an additional benefit when I get back from Taipei - "of course this is a rep, Honey!" will be believable
Now to photos:
Some GENs:
Comparison photo of 366, 367 and 000. You can observe patina lume and changes in font shapes:
Well, worth looking perspective: if you see someone sitting next to you, the dial of his watch is likely to be observed upside down. I found 366 dial to be most interesting that way:
About the rep:
This should be considered super rep. Some pictures as taken by TD (piece of paper indicates GEN):
This is why I expect there are shortage of this rep now - my watch came with an 'asso' strap instead of the original black with creamy stich. I don't care but it is a sign of full package completion problems at least.
…and some garden photos
It is VERY hard to reproduce faux patina color. When non light charged it looks more like pumpkin than what you see on the photos. Mind that when you pick up Your 366
005, 366 and 243
"Lume Brothers"
And an obligatory wrist shot.
I found this watch (with patina lume) to go very well with all natural colors like brown etc. Looks better than on black straps.
