Panerai Pam 111 Luminor Marina Watch Review

   The PAM 111 is a “Base or Historic” and has a the sandwich dial. The sandwich dial is Panerai’s process of putting the lume on disc and then placing the stenciled dial on top of the disc. This makes these dials very unique and adds a nice depth to the overall appearance of the dial. The PAM 111 includes a second hand at the 9 o’clock position, qualifying for Chronometer Certification C.O.S.C.), unlike the PAM 112. The movement utilized is Panerai’s OP XI movement, based off an ETA 6497/2, and it is a hand wound movement. The movement has a 56 hour power reserve, 17 jewels, and 21,600 BPH. The watch is fully polished made of 316L steel, the watch is beautiful.

Pros -  The unique design of Panerai and limited runs separates them from the “pack”. Fantastic lume and a crown guard that not only is aesthetically pleasing, but does what it is suppose to do. The ability to change the strap quickly is a big plus, most Panerai owners take full advantage of this. Strap changes are easy, fun, and gives the watch a completely different look depending on the mood that day.

Consideration - Not offered on a bracelet if that is a desire.

ALL WATCH REVIEWS ARE THOUGHT TO BE ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF THE REVIEW

   The Panerai PAM 00000 mens watch is also know as the “Zero”. It is considered by many to be the “true” base model. This very simple watch by Officine Panerai stands alone in the Luminor family, with it’s big brother PAM 05 also sharing the official logo located above 6 o’clock. Notably missing from this piece is a seconds hand and date window. The PAM 00 uses the OP X manual wind movement. It is the overall simplicity of the PAM 0000 that makes it a base model and draws Panerai fans (Paneristi) in like moths to a fire.

   No need to get hung up on staying within C.O.S.C. specifications, without the seconds hand you will never know. The Zero has a solid case back hiding the hand wound OP X, built off of an ETA 6497. The lume on Zero is painted, not to be confused with Panerai’s sandwich dials. The glow of this lume fully charged is a sight to be seen. Considered to be an entry level watch into Panerai from a price point, it is the purist that love this watch the most. Entry level does not mean cheap, this watch will set you back 4K+ new.

Pros - Fantastically simple, logo, lume, beautiful high polish

Consideration - Scratching up that high polish would be torture!

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Black

Strap: Black Leather

Movement: Manual OP X

Power Reserve: 56 hours

Water Resistant: 300m

Lug Width: 24mm

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Black

Strap: Brown Leather

Movement: Manual OP XI

Power Reserve: 56 hours

Water Resistant: 300m

Lug Width: 24mm

Panerai PAM372 Luminor 1950 3 Days Review

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 47mm

Crystal: Plexiglas

Dial: Black

Strap: Leather

Movement: P3000

Power Reserve: 3 days

Water Resistant: 100m

Lug Width: 26mm

  Panerai delivers a new standard in “base” models with the PAM 372 Luminor 1950 3 Days. This has to be one of the best new vintage models in current production by any watch brand. A “base” model in short is a PAM with no seconds hand, day, date, or any other type of time display other than the hour and minute hands.

  The sandwich dial is large and clean resting in the newly designed 47mm 1950‘s case. The case used on this watch is a little different from the standard 1950’s case, with noticeably lower profile lugs. The lume is beige in color, giving the PAM372 an instant patina vintage look. The hour and minute hands are gold, with the beige lume that rounds out the dials vintage appeal. Keeping true to watches of yesteryear, instead of sapphire crystal Panerai went with a distinctive domed Plexiglas. Powering this watch is Panerai’s in-house manual wind P.3000, with a 3 day power reserve. An exhibition case back shows of the manual P.3000 movement. Panerai’s new 1950 case flows like no other Panerai case, executed beautifully. The brushed crown guard compliments the case and bezel that are done in high polish. A large 26mm brown strap keeps this watch secured tightly, an appropriate width for a watch of this size. This is one of those watches you hope to spot on someones wrist one day with pure admiration and respect!

Pros - Vintage appeal, in-house movement, new 1950’s case

Consideration - Plexiglas is far from sapphire, but fitting for a vintage styled watch

Panerai PAM 233 1950 Luminor 8 Days GMT Review

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Strap: Black Leather

Movement: 2002/1

Power Reserve: 56 hours

Water Resistant: 100m

Lug Width: 24mm

  The Officine Panerai PAM 233 was one of the first in the Panerai line up to receive one of Panerai’s new in-house movements, Caliber/Calibre 2002/1. The Calibre 2002/1 is a manual wind movement, with an impressive 8 day power reserve. There are so many things to love about this watch, there is a power reserve indicator, day/night indicator, GMT function, date display, 1950’s case, and sandwich dial. The GMT function is somewhat unique, the GMT hour hand reflects 12 hours opposed to the standard 24 hours. This is accomplished do to the PAM 233 having a day/night indicator located in the small seconds at the 9 o’clock position. It is the small circle above the 6 o’clock marker displaying AM or PM, very clever. The case is my favorite Panerai design, the 1950 Luminor, with brushed and polished finishes. Located above the 6 o’clock position, is the 8 days power reserve, with a unique sliding power indicator.

  This is a hard watch not to like, it encompasses so many features that make Panerai special. Nothing has seemingly been over looked on the PAM 233. The fit and finish is as expected from Panerai, top notch.

Pros - Day/Night indicator, 8 day power reserve, GMT, in-house movement

Consideration - Unlike many Luminors, it is only water resistant to 100m

Panerai PAM 292 Radiomir Black Seal Review

  If there is only one blacked out watch to own the PAM 292 Radiomir Black Seal is the winner. Unlike PVD, the PAM292 has a ceramic case that is less vulnerable to scratches. Ceramic is roughly 5 times harder than stainless steel, this is an obvious advantage over standard PVD. The Black Seal has the very unique Panerai sandwich dial, the sandwich is a W&R favorite. Newer versions of the PAM 292 do not have the “pig” on the face. This has made the 2007 J serials that have the “pig” an instant collectable, which equates to a much higher sales price in the after market. A hand wound Panerai OP X engine keeps this watch ticking, with a 56 hour power reserve. The very distinguishable Radiomir lugs are removable via screws on the case back. This equates to easy strap change outs and further feeds the “sickness” most Panerai owners develop!

  The PAM292 has the classic design of a Radiomir, with a ceramic contemporary twist. The Black Seal is well thought out and deserves the lion share of wrist time if you are lucky enough to own one.

Pros - Ceramic case, sandwich, well thought out

Consideration - Often selling for more than MSRP

Case: Ceramic

Case Diameter: 45mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Black

Strap: Black Leather

Movement: OP X

Power Reserve: 56hrs

Water Resistant: 100m

Lug Width: 24mm

Panerai PAM 312 Watch Review

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Black

Strap: Crocodile

Movement: P.9000

Power Reserve: 3 days

Water Resistant: 300m

Lug Width: 24mm

  The Panerai PAM 312 is a great combination of dress and sport. The 1950 Luminor case is a must see in person, it is flawless. The lines and curves flow smoothly on the PAM 312, accenting the watch beautifully. Continuing the march forward of using in-house movements, the PAM312 is equipped with Panerai’s own automatic P.9000 calibre movement. A very nice movement with 28 jewels, Incabloc anti-shock, 3 day power reserve, and the P.9000 is visible through the case back. There are some visual similarities to the PAM 111, both using the “sandwich” dial and small seconds at the 9 o’clock position. From there they are vastly different. There is a date window at the 3 o’clock position, set inside a brushed 1950 Luminor case. This looks fantastic against the high polish fixed bezel. Complementing the watch is a crocodile strap, matching up perfectly with the overall design of the watch. A stunning PAM, that is sure to become another Panerai classic.

Pros - 1950 Luminor case, in-house movement

Consideration - Would your other watches get any wrist time!