Officine Panerai

swjoseph
512

• Show profile
• Show other posts

My stories with 104, 233, 217...(Part 1)

While I wrote my to response to mmiller's post re '104, 233, 312?', I almost had my whole earlier story with Panerai down, which might be an interesting read for some of you:

PAM104 was my first which I have to thank it for getting me into the world of this truly unique brand. If I remember correctly, I bought it in the Florence's Panerai boutique during my honeymoon in Europe.

Worn my 104 everyday while enjoying its ETA accuracy and automatic convenience, I had a few months of forum and photo crawling, only to find out that there is much more about the brand and its history. But design was my priorities back then. I can't help but realize my love for the 1950 case. I just find it "prettier" (as Anthony stated below) and the polished bezel on brushed case looks much more refined with my 104 side by side. I made an impulsively-over-budgeted move and let go of my 104 for a 233J. (Thanks Alex for your information and help with straps etc...) Back then, we were not as lucky b'cos there weren't any more affordable 1950 options such as 312, 351, 359...)

Did I regret it? Hell yea...for falling into the Panerai black hole! I have to admit that I didn't pay much attention to its GMT, 8 Days and second reset functions but just find myself addicted to the case , the doom glass and the iconic PR indicator.

Having learn more about it historical reference and I'm beginning to warm up to more simple expression of its vintage design. Even worst, I came across something 47mm with gold hands. The huge doomed sapphire distorted the dial and numbers differently when viewing from a different angle. What a wonder vintage elements realized by today's technology. Even even worst, I repeated my impulsively-over-budgeted move AGAIN in another few months!!! I trade my 233 for a...

Like many of us, I have been struggling between Fiddy an this, and often people parted with their true love because of what other people said. Deep down, I find 217 more appealing with the mythic Marina Militare dial and it unique Destro 1950 case. The fact that 127 often has a premium over 217 made it a bargin! However, the more I ask around the more I was told otherwise. I was torn and it's all about timing and fate as I came across a great fellow risti from HK, Ray, who made my dream come true. 217's the Marina Militare dial, gold hands and 47mm Destro case conclude all I want from Panerai. I couldn't take it off even it looked way oversized on my 6" wrist, and I got comments suggesting if it's a fake or a vintage replica (hummm, some truth there for the later...)

I hope my Panerai story ended here...but it didn't! There were 2 roads in front of me, one takes me all the way back to the 1990s; another one allows me to play a part in its modern history as a manufacture, which way should I go...

[pictures borrowed]

Site Info.