What is attractive about PAM?

[thedoors55]

Hello fellow gents,

I'm fairly new to this forum, but I've always had something for the ''haute horlogerie''. I'm mostly an amateur of dress/tourbillon watches from PP, VC, ALS, JLC and IWC. I recently fell in love with the Explorer I from Rolex and Nautilus 7511 PP which fall more into the sport kind of watch.

The real purpose of this thread's to know what do you honestly find attractive about Panerai watches? This is mostly subjective, totally subjective actually. From my pov, all the watches from this brand actually look like a watch a teenager who spend his days at the skatepark would wear. The design is as single as it could get and the size feel like you're trying to compensate for some lack somewhere else.

-I mean no offense to PAM lovers-

But I'd like to know your perspective towards PAM, why do you like it.

 

[pcardoza]

I'm a BIG fan of PAM Submersibles, and larger watches in general. The snap down CG gives them their individuality, versus the typical screw in crown pieces. Kind of a "steampunk" air about them, but the subs give the impression of built to do tough duty.

Yeah, I have the typical 40mm Rollie sub, that everyone considers a must own, but it is too small for my taste and gets minimal wrist time.

 

[nalomb]

I think its the versatility of Panerai. Its just at home while your working on your car as it is in a regatta as it is after six -- in fact, Rasiomirs have become my go-to black tie watch after waering PP & VC for years.

 

[Nivka]

It took me a while, but I've grown to love them for two main reasons:
1) the uniqueness of their design
2) they're really well replicated

My 388 says hello

 

[DocHolliday]

The simplicity of design makes them a reppers dream. I've had a ton. None right now. They just look cool. I need one now. Crap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobandshawn]

History - mission - functionality - dependability.

B

 

[Ralphy]

I thought the same thing about certain brands, specifically when it came to PAM and AP. But then I tried them, and my opinion changed. I love my PAM 372 and my AP 15400 and Ceramic Diver. They are very nice on the wrist, you just need to try it out to see what you think. You will never know unless you do, then if it's not for you, sell it M2M, but if it is for you, then you will be very happy indeed. Good luck!

 

[elusive1]

Simplicity, legibility, lume, reliability esp the manual hand winds, elegance, masculinity.

Pam's are simple and elegant, yet retain an air masculinity and ruggedness. They have a very distinct look and can be matched to go with any outfit with a quick strap change.

If starting out, I'd recommend one classic manual wind Pam and one submersible.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[SuperLory]

First of all, pam vary a lot. Luminor can be 40 44 or 47 mm. Radiomir is totally different watch and it comes in 3 diff sizes. Submersible as well vary. Material wise you can go from ceramic to sss, to titanium to Pvd or gold. Dials are in different colors too. It's really hard to say way we love "panerai" as if that was a monolith.

But yeah in the end it mainly boils down to history, legibility, legacy, elegance and versatility not necessarily in such order.

sent, me thinks

 

[SuperLory]

And you got me at nautilus = sport watch by the way

sent, me thinks

 

[thedoors55]

Thank you all for your replies! Maybe I'll learn how to appreciate PAM in the future.

And you got me at nautilus = sport watch by the way

sent, me thinks

What I meant by that, a nautilus fits better with ripped jeans, rock t-shirt than a calatrava or about any tourbillon/complication

 

[hurk]

The symmetrical dials, simplistic, minimal, no nonsense.
Crown guard.

endless options of straps

and as one of the members mentioned, how well theyre repped.

But that was years ago, i somehow got over larger watches and feel awkward with anything over 42. Maybe even 40...

 

[blacke]

I feel the same way with you until I saw a Panerai up close on my friend's wrist. I wasn't a big fan, until I did more research on the brand, history, and their design. The unique thing with Panerai is that it really grows on you. They are fun to collect and wear. I am indirectly converting my skeptic friends towards the Panerai brand. These are guys wearing JLC and IWC.

 

[watchmaninpa]

I use to HATE them till I held a 424 in my hand at a local jewelers. lol.... after that.... I was hooked. I got some stainless steel reps and they are SOOO fabulous.... I consider them to be like the real thing.... they feel the same in hand and on the wrist.... so why spend the money for actual real thing. The reps these days are fantastic.
PAMS grow on you.... like I said... I use to absolutely HATE them. LOL now I can't imagine being without one.... or 2 ...

 

[Knifemaker]

Well. lets see.
World's first true military Dive watch.

First Dive watch made by Rolex. Forerunner of the Submariner, and predated it by 20+ years.

First class tool watch, designed for ultra harsh environments.

Ultra tough almost bullet proof. A real Man's work , fighting and diving watch.

Don't keep getting bugged in public with the typical, "Is that Real"??? (always got that when wearing Gen. Rolies!) Grrrrrr!!!

Although you say you meant no offense, It reeked of it. And is exactly the opposite of what you claim. Unlike AP,PK, Rolex, it doesn't scream, Look at Me!!! See how much I'm worth???

They are big, because they were designed to do a job. Be seen in the dark of night, in the Sea, during wartime operations.

Did I mention, they were the first watches with " Lume " Again, designed for the War Effort. (WWII) For the Italian Navy. Hows that for a true Man's Tool Watch?

What has AP or PK ever done historically or lately other than make expensive complications? For the purpose of what, Look At Me See how much I can spend on a watch?

Sounds like your Non intended insults were or are grounded in a sound ignorance of the history of horology. No disrespect intended! LOL!!!

Knife

 

[christobear]

I started off only really liking the 111/005 simple face with seconds and no date. I'm still not a fan of Cyclops on any watch, but I'm finding myself liking a greater variety of PAMs.

Now I have a radiomir 47 and I think I like it more than my 318. Now I want both a bronzo and submersible.

I think Pam is a lot like AP in that there's a ton of variety but really only a couple different main styles.

Sent from the RWI mobile app

 

[Thrasher]

Of course I came here looking at Rolex Submariners like everyone else and didn't really understand the PAM phenomenon but I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut and learn. I was already a genuine Omega owner X2.

I have an 8.25 inch wrist so a 47mm PAM works great for me. You have to do a little research and look at some pictures there is a great variety of design within the Panerai range. I think my first favorite was the Radiomir 388 followed quickly by a couple subs the 243 and 382, I didn't think much of the base models until I bought a cheap white face 563 then I got it... and now I have at least 10 PAMS plus Pratts fantasy models, The 424 really blew my mind and then I began to really study the brand. What everyone above is saying is very true once you get deeper into the hobby you will understand that PAMs are just as significant in the watch world as Rolex.

Enjoy

 

[d4m.test]

They are little time-machines, underneath their crystals they carry all the weight of the horological history, nautical fantasy and seafarer imagination that go with them - right there, on Your wrist
You can change the strap!
Daylight visibility: You can read the time without a loupe (think Rolex)
Night time luminosity: they glow like a torch, no need to put the light on
they have a cg-lever to play with plus it´s ingenious - presses the crown down to make it watertight while at the same time it´s well protected against knocks of gear; screw-down crowns get striped if used a lot;
Some of them may be vintagized endlessly....

even in terrible conditions You can still see it´s 7:09

 

[jerome0204]

As Leonardo Da Vinci once said: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. It makes perfect sense when you hold a Zero or any base for that matter.

 

[AHX]

Panerai are the Porsche of the watch world, for me. Like with Porsche, they have a rich history and the fundamental design philosophy has not changed much as they develop, although they have moved to developing their own movements, finally. They are very recognisable and unique, every aspect of them other than the movement is very distinctly Panerai, it's Italian and it's simple. And they have a presence in person I can't explain.

When I first got into watches, I was the same as you and many others here. I thought Panerai were shit. I still think a lot of the ETA based gens are tremendous rip offs, $500 watches selling for $5000, but I also used to think they were ugly and the font reminded me of Comic Sans MS and now I think they're stunning. I used to dislike Porsches too but for whatever reason over time they just grow on you until now Panerai is one of my favourite brands. I'd love to one day own a gen with a proper in house movement, as well as my rep from the ETA days.