28 June 2010

PAM 127 Video Review (in Thai)

Just a quick video review of a PAM 127

23 June 2010

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
California Dial Panerai, Dievas
Case side: PAM 249 is on the left, Dievas is a little bit thicker
Dievas California VS PAM 249
Case side: PAM 249 is on top


Another side of the case: PAM 249 is on the left, Dievas is on the right
PAM 249, Dievas California
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.
PAM 249 Movement, Dievas Unitas 6497

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

21 June 2010

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.
PAM 127

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

PAM 127

PAM 127 On strapworks
PAM 127

Wristshot: 47mm PANERAI is just great on my 7.5 in. wrist.
Wristshot PAM 127 with Micah strap

Nightshot. The Superluminova is glowing in the dark.
PAM 127 Glows 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.