The Panerai Source Forums

After my recent introduction to the world of Breitlings (and the best Breitling site on the net!), I have decided to take a hop across the pond and venture into the world of Panerais as well. Now that the pages are falling out of the catalog, I have finally narrowed my choices down to either the PAM111 or PAM104. Comments/suggestions? Likes/dislikes? Is one a better introduction to Panerai than the other? Thanks guys!!!

Welcome, good to see you make the jump over

trust me, get the 111. I was exactely in your shoes a few months ago, to be honest the 104 is just ok, nothing special. The 90, 250, and 88 have that little bit extra as far as the Contemporary line is concerned, but for full fledged PAM power you gotta get the 111. Saphire caseback, wonderfully decorated movement, SANDWICH DIAL (you will get it once you have one), that very unique seconds counter all in a full sized Luminor case. Just a GREAT watch, I love mine so much I am thinking of getting a tatoo


that said, I wish you good luck in finding one. Precicely because of the mensioned characteristics and apeal there is a very long waiting list usually, I would not expect to walk into a dealership and expect to just find one waiting. better get on that list ASAP!!!

Hello! I just got a 111 and its really great. I got it pre-owned. If you are in Europe chances are you get a pre-owned strong offers (directly from owners) specially in Switzerland and France. I am posting some pictures in the Gallery area. Regards

Well done - the 111 is exactly as Altair already mentioned, and a very good ´base´ - now the sickness has begun!!!

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Own: 219, 253, 270, 308
On order: 28 Selling: 164 OOR
Past loves: 000,176,199,240,250,251,252,288

Yeah.. the 111 is a great watch. Affordable (as far as Panny's go) and with the exhibition back and manual wind make it probably one of the best first PAM's

I can't speak personally about the 104 but I just got my 111 in the mail today. Bought it used and complete for $4100 shipped off a guy from Paneristi. I was sold on the 111 even before knowing anything about Panerai. And man, am I loving it! It's in great shape for a 3 year old watch on it's 3rd owner! Only a few light scratches on the case that you don't really even notice at first glance. What got me initially about the 111 was the plain black dial with the "Luminor Marina" and Panerai logo and the versatility of the watch with an infinite number of straps. After learning more about Pannys, I came to realize all the other great qualities about this watch... the sandwich dial is awesome, the lume in the dark is incredible, the simplicity of the numeric dial is so easy to read, the open caseback displaying the gorgeous internals is beautiful, the manual wind is cool, and now even the weight and feel of the watch on are great! I can't say enough good things about the 111. The watch just looks really stylish on. We just got back from dinner with some friends and I must have gotten 4 complements already on it. I have 2 vintage leather straps (a brown and a black) on the way from Simona in Italy that should be here next week. I can't wait to swap em' out. Pics are coming soon!

And I did check with my local AD and they didn't have a 111. They had a new 176 but with the recent price increase, I decided to get the watch I wanted used. I am very happy with my decision and I'm really glad I researched it and found a good seller before buying.

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PAM 111, 233