Officine Panerai

amanico
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The Dark Side of the Moon ( PAM36 )

We often see pics of the Pam 36 face, and it is logical, as this Pam is an absolute reference in the Vendome production.





But we never speak of its Dark Side, I mean the case back...

It is now time to show it!

For this watch, Panerai made the choice of a see through case back.



The funny thing is that this ETA movement is obviously inspired from the Rolex Cortebert we find in the 3646 and in some 6152...

Here, a Rolex Cortebert housed in a Pam 21 ( Credit pic: a Famous Auction House ):



The inpsiration is even more obvious when you look at some more Panerai releases, like the Cali, or the Pam 217.

Here, a pic to be credited to Konrad Knirim, if I'm not wrong, which perfectly sums the evolution and the clear original inspiration:



What is interesting with the Pam 36 movement is the level of finish.

Not really impressive, not too ugly, too.

Here are some pics of the ETA 6497/2 reworked by Panerai :







So, as you can see, we are far from a Lange Movement, indeed, but it is not uninteresting at all.

Rough anglages, yes, but with a certain appeal, when you don't consider it after viewing these macros, and what you loose in finsh, you gain in coherence, don't you think?

This is one of the very rare early Vendome watch coming with a see through case back.

Think about it, and you will see...

The Pam 21 was the first, the 36 was the 2d, among the Pre A, A and B series...( Pam 36 is B Series )

Even the twin sister Pam 40 had a solid case back.

This sapphire case back may even be considered as a witness of the History of the brand, at a moment where ( or when ) Reliability was more important than finish, or appearance, which is the first purpose of a Tool Watch.

Best,

Nicolas

 
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For Nicolas' original post in Panerai forum, please CLICK HERE

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