Hello.

I used to own a PAM 25 and for some mad reason sold it a couple of years ago.
Anyway i'm in the market for another Panerai.

This is really tree questions.
1. I have always had automatic watches (current a Rolex Daytona) though am interested in some of the manual models. What is life like with a manual watch. An experiences please. ALso the manual watches tend to come with the crystal case back which I really like.

2. I am struggling between the Luminor and the Radomir. Opinions please.

3. Finally, I am preferable looking for a limited production watch. As everyone in my local pub has a rolex daytone or a fake one I want something a little unique. Im going mad going through all the models. CAn anyone point me to a low volume model that must have the clear case back.

Cheers for any help.

Sorry I should mention my bugdet is about £5,000.

To be honest, the majority of these questions are personal in nature. I personally love the crown guard, but Rads are beautiful in their own way. Also to me, the manual wind is historic and thus adds a bit to the experience of ownership (again for me). And finally: really all Panerai are very limited production. The most is 2500, or maybe 3000 I believe. So you are highly unlikely to find another in your local pub.

Head to your local AD and try on whatever you can find =)

Cheers,
-James

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There are three kinds of people in the world: those who can count, and those who can't. -Warren Buffett

Hi James.

With regard to the limited production.

I was under the impression that the regular production watches serial number only coresponds with that year of production is in 2000 watchs made in 2006 etc etc.
Rather than a limited run of a madel of 100 / 1000 / 2000 watches in total.

ROCK ON MONKEY BOY! EVERYBODY WAVE FOR MONKEY BOY! I SAY EVERYBODY DANCE FOR MONKEY BOY!

answer honestly.

In regards to manual vs automatic, IMHO if you are looking for a single Pam then i would choose from the manual winding models. It seems more of the traditional modes for the brand.

As for Luminor vs Rad, well that all comes down to preference. However there are a number of limited edition models for both. Are you looking for Ti, Steel or precious metal casing? Also do you prefer a specific dial color? Black, White, Tobacco? Finally what case size are you looking for and what is the intent of the watch? Are you more of a casual jeans type or always wearing a suit?

Your answers will help streamline your more appropriate choices. Let us know.

Best,
K

A true friend stabs you in the front.
-Oscar Wilde

Hi Kanellos.

I'm not a suit person so the more casual look is better for me. My current watch is a Rolec Daytona with the black dial. This is what drew me to the watch. So a black dial is prefered. I prefer the clean look of the Panerai so don't want a cronograph as is think they look to 'busy'.
Im leaning more to the Luminor range as I loved the submersible I had, and think the Radomir would be too dress watch for everyday use.
I like the idea of a manual wind though not sure if I would become iritated by it stopping because of me forgetting.
So to try and narrow down my search criteria i'm looking for;
Clean face prefered in black but not the be all and end all.
Date (the reason the daytona is not in use)
Crystal case back (I know nothing about watch movements though love watching them)
Stainless Steel as am worried about the scratch resistance of Ti and preder a heavier watch.
Finally and this is the problem I would prefer a limited production watch. I would like to know I have something fairly original on my wrist.
I have looked at the PAM 312 and this seem to fit most of my criterai, my only reservation is that it is a regular production model which slightly puts me off.
As for the manual v automatic i'm still undecided. I loved the look of the 8 and 10 day reserve but out of my price range (though the 10 day is an auto).
The more I research the more confusing it becomes.
I suppose it the limiting factor is price and availability.
Sorry about the long post, just got a bit carried away.

ONe other question.

ON the eight day reserve watches does the performance tail of in proportion to the reserve left or are they fairly acurate for a few days and tailing off near the end of the reserve.
I agree with some comments that there is some appeal to manually winding a watch but never having had a manual its a concern of investing some much to find out i can not live with it.