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
