How to remove metal bracelet (video in Thai)

Q. What is the tool for removing metal bracelet from the watch?
A. A spring bar tool can do the job.
The spring bar tool can be purchased from WatchKzy.com

A demonstration on how to use the bracelet removing tool is shown below.

Lume Shots

It's known that the Luminova dials on Officine Panerai watches illuminate like fluorescent lamps. I can say that the Luminova on Panerai is second to none. Let's see what they look like

PAM 5

PAM 232

PAM 249

PAM 127

Wotancraft Panerai Strap : An impression

Wotancraft produces many nice straps for Panerai. Most of their straps are made to generate vintage/old looks on your Panerai. The one I have ordered is the limited edition of 20 straps. Its name is "The X.M.A.S Originale", price: USD 289. I intend to use it with my PAM 127. It took about 2 weeks for delivery.

The package was sent to me via EMS

Inside the package

There is a box inside the package. It's strap box.

When the box is opened, you will see a small leather pouch and a card .

When the pouch is opened, you will see the strap and a submarine key holder (actually I bought this strap because of this key holder hehe :P )

The strap and the key holder are secured in plastic seal. This is the best strap package for my experience.

The strap is highest quality. The leather and color are just what I was expecting. The stitching is the professional work. There are many vintage look straps but I think Wotancraft's strap is second to none. I can use the pouch to carry a watch as well but need to wrap the watch with soft cloth before put it in the pouch.

Mine is number 7/20. Yes, there are only 20 straps in the world.. nice !

On my PAM 127

I just love this strap!

Ennebi Fondale

In 1985, the Officine Panerai faced a financial crisis. So, it was sold to Vendome group. With this change, the head of Engineering department,  Alessandro Bettarini, who responsible for timing instrument decided to leave Panerai for his dream, creating watches for divers and collectors.

In 2004, Alessandro Bettarini and his friend, Luciano Nincheri, have found a new watch company, Ennebi. The fist model is Ennebi Fondale.

The Fondale is powered by a Swiss Made ETA2824-2 automatic movement.

The utilitarian dial means that time reading is optimal under any conditions. The big indices and hands are a must for diving expeditions. Unique two tone brown/red dial is handmade. Each and every single dial is different.

The massive 47mm micropeened Titanium Grade 5 case is beadblasted throughout. A domed organic crystal tops it. The micropeened Titanium Grade 5 bezel is fixed. All of these are engineered for 1000meters water resistance. The unique stainless steel caseback is fastened by 6 special screws. And finally, the straps are fixed onto the case with extra thick screw-in lug bars.  

Over engineered is the only way to describe the Fondale.

You can buy Ennebi Fondale from Ennebi Watch Shop

The best thing is that the Ennebi Fondale has 24mm lug width. So, all Panerai / PAM straps can be used with the Ennebi Fondale. That means you have nearly infinite choices of straps. Kevin, Daluca, Ted Su. As shown in the photos, the strap is Dirk Shark strap.

For me, an Ennebi Fondale makes me forget Panerai for awhile. :)

PAM 127 Video Review (in Thai)

Just a quick video review of a PAM 127

PAM 249 and Dievas Photo comparison

This type of dial is called California Dial. This is because the dial maker is located in California. There are many watches that have California Dial but the most famous one is OFFICINE PANERAI PAM 249 and PAM 262 (Platinum case and very expensive). However the PAM 249 is not cheap, its price is around USD 12K-15K depending on the condition (as of the 23 June 2010) . There is a cheaper watch which looks similar to PAM 249. It's Dievas Kampfschwimmer (Kampfschwimmer: Combat Swimmer ) which is much cheaper.

Below photos are the comparison shots of PAM 249 and the Dievas Kampfschwimmer (Click on the photo to see bigger image)

Dial: PAM 249 is on the left , Dievas is on the right. They are limilar

Case side: PAM 249 is on the left, Dievas is a little bit thicker

Case side: PAM 249 is on top


Another side of the case: PAM 249 is on the left, Dievas is on the right

Movement: PAM 249 is on the left, Dievas is on the right. The are both UNITAS 6497 but Panerai has modified by adding power reserve to 56-hour and Swan Neck regulator.


As you can see, they are both very similar. You can choose which one as you like.

Photo review Panerai PAM127

Panerai PAM 127 is my grail watch. I have it for a while but I'm too busy to take photos and write a long review. This post is just to show some photos of the PAM 127. Click on the photo for bigger image.

Kevin strap makes it more attractive.


Hand driven movement : Panerai OP XI (a modified UNITAS 6497)



PAM 127 On strapworks


Wristshot: 47mm PANERAI is just great on my 7.5 in. wrist.


Nightshot. The Superluminova is glowing in the dark.


The specification of this 'fiddy' is as the following:


Unique edition of 1950 units

Movement: hand-wound mechanical, Panerai OP XI calibre with swan's neck regulator, 16½ lignes, 17 jewels, PANERAI bridges. Glucydur® balance with Nivarox® I, spring, 21,600 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device.
Power reserve 56 hours. Chronometer Certificate (C.O.S.C.).

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds.
Case: diameter 47 mm, AISI 316L brushed steel.
Bezel: polished steel.
Back: see-through sapphire crystal.
Crown guard: (registered Trade Mark) in brushed steel.
Dial: black with luminous markers and Arabic numerals at the quarters. Small seconds dial at 9 o'clock. Marking 1950 at 6 o'clock.
Crystal: sapphire, made from corundum, 2 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.
Water resistance: 100 metres.
Strap: hand-sewn leather with steel buckle personalised PANERAI.

PAM 127 has 26mm lug width. So, it needs 26mm panerai strap.
Why PAM 127 is so popular among paneristi? I think it's because PAM 127 is the most resemble to the 6152/1, the vintage Panerai. The 6152/1 is very difficult to find and its price is at the top of Everest. So, PAM 127 is an affordable version of 6152/1. Anyway, at the time that I'm writing this article, I see PAM 127 is pricing around USD 20,000 - 22,500 depending on its conditions.

Deep inside the Rolex DeepSea

I came across this post in Timezone. It's very informative so I'd like to put the link here : Deep Technical Design of Rolex Deepsea Sea Dweller. After reading this you will want a Rolex Deepsea. Please note that Rolex Deepsea has 21mm lug so you need 22mm Nato Strap

Review Panerai PAM 249

I took photos of my Panerai PAM 249 and just had a chance to compose a review (in Thai). Click on the photo to access the PAM 249 California Dial review. Please take a look, viewing photos just worth your click.

Online Watch Auction

If you are looking for a good watch auction website, I would like to introduce, Hroyy Marketplace. You can buy/sell watches and watch accessories on the website free of charge! Now there are Panerai, Patek, Rolex, Longines, Laco, Steinhart, Omega, etc., up for sell. Please take a look.