The Panerai Source Forums

Would like to buy my hubby his first Panerai for wedding anniversary in December but not sure which. He currently has a Breitling but finds it a bit heavy and bulky as he only has small wrists. I know he wants a strap, doesn't want gold colour and doesn't want the sticky out thing on the side (lever device?). Have got up to date brochure but is quite confusing when you dont know what you looking for. Dont want to end up getting something that turns out to be a lemon (if there is such a thing in this make?) and he has to live with. Have seen a 'Radiomir Black Seal' for £3400, would this be an acceptable pressie? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The Radiomir Black Seal is a great watch, but if he doesn't want anything that big, its going to be tough. The Radiomir is a big watch. Most Panerai are big except the 40mm Luminors, but they have the "Lever Device" on them.

Thanks for your response. I think he will cope with it being a bigger watch if it has a strap instead of a bracelet and he does want a Panerai so as long as the black seal is considered decent I think I will get that. Thanks

Its a great choice - so long as he is okay with the manual wind and lack of a date function.

You may want to consider PAM 287 - same blackseal but in painted dial with automatic and date function. It does not have a 3 in the dial. It actually comes in black alligator strap and is only produced in 1500 pieces beginning with J series.

I chose this as my first PAM as I liked the blackseal (cushion shape with classic look, great for formal events) but was not too excited about the manual wound version as I have no patience for it. But that's me.

Cheers !

Thanks for the suggestion, that looks a realy nice watch. Do you know if that model is readily available? I gather from other posts that some have a long wait and I need to be able to get one by the end of December. The other one I have seen is in the shop.

I got mine last Jan 30 after a 3 month wait but it was worth it. The alligator black strap is just about right and deployant buckle looks elegant. Good luck and do let us know if you finally bag one. Cheers!

I've found lately there isn't that much wait for most models around here as much.

Thanks for your comments.
The PAM 183 I had seen was in Harrods, so went for a look yesterday and they did have a PAM 287 but had already taken a deposit on it! Didn't even get to look at it because they had already put it away. They have also sold the 183! Waiting for them to let me know if they can get another PAM 287, will let you know How do you think he would feel about a brochure and an IOU

Good luck, and hope that you are able to get one in before your Anniversary! Otherwise you could always turn to some of the online dealers - just becareful who you choose.

radiomir is a great 1st choice ...doesn't matter which entry model 210/183/287. radiomir don't even wear that big since they're thinner and light...your husband won't even feel it going from a breitling.

Thanks for the feedback, just had a look at the 210 and if is going to be manual I think he would prefer the 183 with the small seconds. Dont suppose colour of the strap is a big issue as he could change it.
How hard is it to buy a watch? The more I look into different models the harder it gets to choose. I had decided the automatic wind would be better on the 287 but have now realised that would not have the see-through back and I dont know which he would think more important.
I may need to wait til our Golden anniversary to have this sorted!

I've done it! I decided to go for the PAM183, I was beginning to think I should wait til next year and do more research but it's our 15th anniversary and I discovered that the tradition for a 15th anniversary is crystal, modern day it is a watch, the PAM183 = watch with a crystal back, problem solved! It made sense to me anyway.
Harrods never got back to me so I rang a Jewellers 9am this morning and they had got one that someone had decided not to have only last night. I put down a hefty deposit over the phone and will pick it up as soon as I can
Anyway thanks for your comments and sorry to bore you with the trivia but hopefully you will have a new member on Dec 31st when I give hubby the watch and direct him to this site

Congrats!! You have a very lucky man there

def big congrats on the black seal!

Dear clueless wife:

I'm actually your husband. Here's my address...

_________________
PAM 210

Ha ha, very funny
Gave him the watch this morning and he loves it. Picture to follow