The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have been thinking for a while about getting a PAM. I like the PAM 312 which is rated at 300M water resistance. The one thing, however, that always kinda puzzled me about Panerais was that I see most people wear them on leather or croc straps that are not water resistant, and therefore having 300M water resistance is moot cause you can't take the watch in the water with a strap that'll get ruined. Yes, you can swap out the strap with a rubber one or bracelet, but that's a pain if you are on a trip and don't want to bring those extras along. Plus, I don't like the look of the PAMs on rubber or the metal bracelet.

That's what I love about my Breitling in fact...I actually do bring it with me on vacations where I know I'll be swimming. It's got a 100M rating, and I can just jump in the pool without worry. So do most folks with Panerais just wearing them for show to the office and don't take em in the water ever? I'm curious.

Both the 312 and my CWS are 44mm:

312..pic taken off the net:


My CWS:

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

I think the 312 looks gorgeous, and would quite like one, though it's a much to do with the style as the brand.

Indeed I would have been tempted by the Precista PRS-30 if timefactors had gone for one of the earlier designs rather than the later bronze case (http://www.timefactors.com/precista.htm).



I don't think many waterproof watches are used in the water unless they are genuine "tool" watches, and Panerai owners seem to have a fettish about changing straps on a somewhat frequent basis.

Because the watch is so simple in design, it easily adopts the characteristics of the strap. So a rubber, croco, or ammo quite significanly change the "look" of the Pam. That's why a great part of Panerai ownership enjoyment is collecting & changing straps for it.

That being said, I don't have a problem swimming or diving with leather strap. You want to start with a thick strap with full stitch. Apply mink oil, let dry & swim. Rinse /soak with plenty of clean water after. Dry thoroughly with towel, then air-dry AWAY from heat or sunlight. The strap will shrink a bit, so you might want to start with a slightly wider strap (eg. 24.5mm instead of the standard 24mm for the 312). Rustic finish strap will look even better after. When you get home, apply mink oil again. Repeat & enjoy!



This is how my strap looks after quite a few dives/swims:

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a few Pams...

In "ye olde days", divers watches (and dive equipment in general) utilized leather straps quite widely, simply because there wasn't anything else available, so it has history in that respect.

Additionally, while a lot of Panerai these days are strictly desk divers and may never see water, I personally think it's better to have more water resistance than less, just in case of accidents. Look at how my people discount the Navi just because it has poor WR, even though they have no intention of diving with it.

And how do I feel about Panerais in general? I love 'em, and have one myself!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I sold my 312 basically to make way for the Navi World. Such a nice watch, very simplistic and a good size too. I never had it anywhere near water tbh. I would buy one again for sure, it was kinda a 'posh' watch as I would say, good for weddings, funerals etc when wearing a suit.

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Thanks for the comments all. Interesting...I didn't realize they did use the leather straps for diving before. I do very much like the look of the 312. I sold my Navi a while back cause I needed something with a bit more water resistance. Guess the PAMs next on my list.

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

PAMs gre on me over the last year big time. I personally like the Rad collection the best as I more classic IMO. I also love the subs. Don't like th price tags though. However, they hold value well so maybe consider a used one to start, this way you can flip it and most likely break even if you have a change of mind a couple months later.

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Pam's don't do much at all for me.
Tried to learn to like them but failed miserably.
Tried to understand why the hold their value so well given the abundance of them in the used watch shops, also failed and still don't understand it.
So be it, I won't be loosing any sleep over it.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

I think it's a love or hate sorta thing, similar to Breitlings whereby some people really like big, blingy, busy dialed watches, while others don't. I hated PAMs at first when they came out...thought they were wall clocks on straps, but over time warmed up to them. Still think some of the designs are ugly, but I like the 312. I also don't understand why they are so expensive and hold their value so much, but guess they are the "in fashion" watch still. I don't understand why owners of them get so excited whenever they change a strap though. I don't get all excited when I move from one strap to another on my Speedy Pro, but hey, maybe I'll get it when I get a PAM one day. LOL

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

I don't think there is anything special about the look of it, status symbol is another story. For the prowling single man a PAM starts looking much better, kinda like an older woman that has money.

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You'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take

Well put

I initially didn't care for PAMs; it took me about 2 years to warm up to them. Now, I'd love to add a 320 or 351 to my collection. They do seem to be pretty polarizing, though.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Owned a 48. Sold it while I was still in"Gotta catch 'em all " mode. To me they are a unique look. I've been wanting one again though my watch guy is convinced there will soon be a drop in resale values.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

As I say, I'm a big fan of Panerai (simply because I like the deisgns and the build quality.... and the image) but they are definitely a marketing success story. They make a big deal about everything being limited edition, which they are to a certain extent in as much as they make a limited number of each model per year..... but then they make another "limited" number of the same model the following year. Obviously there are some that are true limited editions, but the whole "limited production" ethos keeps demand outstripping supply. At least Panerais genuinely are in fairly short supply, unlike Rolex who like to pretend their watches are rare, whilst at the same time producing more "prestige" watches per year than any other manufacturer.

I do have a slight problem with the non-"true"-limited edition models that run ETA base movements though, as they are incredibly expensive for what they are IMO (although as I say the build quality is superb). However, I have less of an issue with the truly limited edition pieces (even the one's running ETA bases), and I have absolutely no problem at all with the superb in-house models they produce.

I also like the fact that they have a design formula and they stick with it. I cannot imagine Panerai ever adopting the somewhat hit and miss "scattergun" approach to design that Breitling have been guilty of in recent years. As a result you either like panerai or you don't : they never seem to want to chase non-fans, and that alone is worth respecting.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

They're overwhelmingly too chunky for me to consider but I've always thought exactly that about Panerai.

The truly limited editions (those produced only for 1 year or 2) are usually called Special Editions (SE), comes with a big(ger) box, and a scroll (literally).

The non-fans ARE being chased lately unfortunately -- what with so many new models that doesn't resemble any Panerai DNA, and where many of the current year production of the exact same older models have undergone multiple MSRP increases that's just ridiculous. (Dejavu Breitling owners? )

Resale prices are already dropping even for once-very desirable SEs because Panerai keeps on re-issuing these supposed "truly limited" special editions not only in yet another special edition re-run, but to add insult to injury, they ALSO release it in a "regular" limited edition production which are pretty much identical (eg. 249/448/424 or 373/449/425 or 382/507 etc).

Yes, it's inevitable for a large for-profit corporation to submit to the pressure of continuing to increase sales every year -- and when your business model is "limited editions" of every model, what else can you do? But still, it rankles many of the ol' timers who yearn for the good 'ol days when Panerai was unknown & NOT a status symbol...

Still, for some strange reason, I found that in the many GTGs (Panerai owners love to meet up even more than changing straps... ) I've been fortunate to attend over the years in different cities & countries (Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Philipines, Malaysia, California, Vegas, NJ, NYC), everyone seem to easily find some common interest that makes camaraderie & friendship effortless (and where more often than not the topic was NOT about watches!). YMMV

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a few Pams...