The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well, since Christmas when I got my new Super Avenger, I have been looking for something "different". I really like the DSSD on the many gorgeous photos here, but in the metal and on my wrist, I cannot help but feel "underwhelmed". Looked at Hublot, BnR, and Graham too. But at the end I decided on Panerai and after some anxious weeks of delays and waiting (including a last minute surprise LE number change), I am finally a Pamily man!

First let me say I'm not a WIS, and being a complete noob to Panerais, I think I'm just too uneducated to fully appreciate the simplicity of the base models which seem so popular with 1st time owners. I can't see myself getting a watch just because of its history or movement. The few watches I have, I bought because I like how it looks -- and most importantly, how I feel wearing it. Heck, my first "nice" watch is a quartz -- the SuperQuartz EM!

I have always been drawn to the Luminor Submersibles, and after a long thought I decided NOT to settle and I went and get my wife to buy me my Grail... a brand new 193 Depth Gauge!



It's certainly not the most popular Pam out there. But I dunno, from the very first time I laid eyes on it, it just... sings to me! When I was thinking about writing a "First Pam" post, I tried to come up with some logical reasons "Why the 193?". Is it because there's only 600 of 'em? Because it has a T-dial? Because it's got it's own category on Panerai.com? Because the 120m Depth Gauge IS actually certified & functional? (and yes, I do fully intend to dive with it)... At the end, I thought you know what? How can anyone RATIONALIZE plunking down multi-$K for a watch?? I got it because it puts a stupid grin on my face! Because it makes me FEEL HUGE JOY & HAPPINESS!! And yes, I do finally get how Panerais are not JUST a watch!! (-- as a matter of fact according to Panerai, the 193 is literally NOT a watch -- it's a "Professional Instrument" )



So, here's a few first impressions:

Having psyched myself up over the supposed heft & thickness of the 193 for a few weeks -- I was surprised how "mellow" the 193 actually wears on the wrist. Perhaps if you were expecting a dress watch, the thickness would shock you. But compared to many dive watches, the 193 is VERY refined indeed. Too, I wore the Emergency Mission 24/7 for a year -- which although is only 44mm but almost as thick. I see absolutely no problem wearing this 193 as a daily wear on my 6.75" wrist.





Don't get me wrong, the 193 is certainly THE BEAST!! -- But maybe less "Frankenstein" and more Disney's "The Beast" wearing a tuxedo waltzing with The Beauty... if you know what I mean...

So I would like to thank first n foremost, my oh-so-lovely & generous wife, my future-bro-in-law whose Panerai bug I caught -- and I look forward to many, many, many strap changes (been busy... 15 and counting! )! Hagwe & HAPPY EASTER all!



Here's more pics comparison with my Breitlings:













And of course, how can one enjoy a PAM without a few strap changes??

First on is ++Ray++ Monster "Tongue of the Beast" Croco (what can I say, it IS a Subzilla, and Ray was willing to try my crazy idea... ):















This one is "Tail of the Beast" (horns are very soft)









And final one for the night, Strap Cartel "Old Vintage":









Thanks for reading!

H2F

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a few Pams...

Nice pick up! Definitely not a Pam that I see daily or will see for that matter and that's a good thing! Great pictures as well, love it! Congrats and enjoy your new grail!

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Breitlingfanatic30



Montbrillant Legende (Silver Dial)
Super Avenger (Black Dial with Baton Markers)
Bentley 6.75 (Silver Storm Dial)

That is truely a beautifull watch! Lovely straps as well. Nice!

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SA Blue Dial Silver Subs Pro 2

Seems to fit your collection nicely. Fantastic watch!

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Current collection: Breitling Superocean Heritage I 46, Rolex Submariner, Swatch X ****** Sistem51

SOOOOOOO cool!

That is amazing! i love it. good strap choices aswell!

Its massive!

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Thanks guys! The titanium certainly wears lighter (though by no means a light watch) than my ss Lings. I am having a blast!

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a few Pams...

Sorry to post this on your thread fella, but the more i look at these Panerai watches, the more i fall in love. They are unfortunately too damn expensive, so is the a maker or two who make slightly similar styles? I see Steinhart are quite similar, but any others.

Love those croc straps too!

Not a huge fan of PAMs but that's a really interesting piece. That reptile strap is BEEFY. I've never seen a strap with a forked tongue before! Looks like there's a dinosaur on your wrist!

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

drb5, the sticker definitely shocks me too! But though I don't buy to sell, at least Panerais seem to retain their value extremely well. Helps also that the brand has really taken off lately & Richmond is not afraid to take advantage with significant regular price increases. Well, at least that's my excuse for buying a five-figure watch

Ian, the nickname of the 47mm Submersibles with elongated bezel markers like the 193 (also the 194, 285, 307) is the SUBZILLA -- so when the idea came, I thought "why the heck not?!" Had a hard time convincing the strap maker to agree to do it too!

But the straps are definitely a HUGE appeal to Pammy ownership. I have such a fun time trying on different ones, I'm concerned I'll be wearing out the threads on the lugs!

Today is casual Easter Sunday jeans on Kwong blue croc:

Lol! Any jobs going where you work?!

Depreciation can stick in my throat a bit and although i don't ever plan to sell things myself, who knows what the future holds for us, so i tend to think ahead somewhat. Defo seem's the Panerai's hold their value better than most, so if i could afford to buy such a watch, i'd probably do the same as yourself.

Nice addition! Can you provide more information on that croc strap maker?

That is ridiculous!!!

Of all the pam I like the subs the best

Thx Tunnel! Me too -- I think it's inevitable if you come from Lings!

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a few Pams...

Congrats!

I'm wearing my PAM111 today with brown leather strap to match my brown shoes and shirt

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Panerai PAM212 | Panerai Diver Strap
Panerai PAM111 | Black Croc Strap
Omega Planet Ocean | SS Bracelet
Rolex Submariner | SS Bracelet (Sold, Awaiting Funds)
Breitling Navitimer Olympus | Brown Croc Strap (Arriving)