SIHH 2012: Panerai PAM 399 and Pam 422.
I must say that Panerai surprised me, this year.
Well, the Cali and the 2533 SLC are not for me, as I am not a big fan of the " Maiale " on the dial, while I would be ok to see it engraved on a solid case back, and the " black things " are too trendy for my taste.
So, this year, there are two watches I watched, more than others, the Pam 399, curiously called " Radiomir 1940 ", and the Pam 422, a kind of Pam 372 with a small second, and a power reserve indicator on the back, plus a sapphire instead of a plexy.
Which surprised me is the Pam 399.
When I looked at it, I was wondering if it was historically correct, or if it was only a nice watch, with some liberty and distance taken from the origins.
It is not a small Egiziano, it is not a 6152... Was this a prototype???
POY will certainly tell us more on this matter, but I have some doubts this watch ever existed.
Anyway, when you look at it, you are impressed by this watch, by its elegant case, the big crown, without crown protectors, and the interesting Minerva movement ( Cal 16-17 ), nice looking, but not especially well finished, and impressed, also, by its price ( 19 000 Euros... Damn, these Pannies start to be expensive! )
Another nice detail is the sectored hour hand, and the plexy, which I am always happy to see on such a watch.
The limit: A water resistance to ... 30 meters ( from the beach ), which is a pity as you won't be able to wear it during your summer water activities, but you're used to that, as the Cali ( Pam 249 ) has the same problem.
Limited to 100 pieces, I bet a Pam 372 with you all that Panerai will adapt the number on the demand, and that we may have much more.
My pronostic? Somewhere between 150 and 200 watches.
The Pam 422 is another story... We all know what are the roots of this watch, which are shared with the Pam 127, the 6152-1.
The writings, inaugurated on the 372, are here, as well as the faux patina, which I personally prefer to the greenish indexes seen on the Pam 127.
A huge sapphire has been chosen, instead of the plexy of the Pam 372. Less warm, or sexy, for sure, but not bad looking.
The 422 is water resistant to 100 meters, which is enough for your summer baths.
You will find the P 3001, which is correct, aesthetically speaking, as it is close to the Angelus, which was used on the original watch.
A nice looking movement, produced by Val Fleurier for Panerai, exclusively, offering a 3 Days power reserve and an indicator smartly located on the case back, to not ruin the natural balance of the dial.
Personally, I prefer the 372, for its purity, and because I always preferred " Bases " over the Luminor Marina Dials.
But I guess that those who already own the 372 will think about getting this one, too, to make the pair.
Well, I will have to wait one more year, to see a Small Egiziano ( maybe ) or, to help me to wait, maybe I will have to hunt a 372?
Best,
Nicolas
http://panerai.watchprosite.com/show-fo ... 83073/s-0/