Luminor Marina Panerai on the Beach PAM00111 44MM

Panerai From A Woman's Perspective

by Maria

...Wrist shot of the day...

Luminor Marina Panerai on the Beach

PAM00111 44MM

Just another day at the beach for this Paneristi.  What could be more romantic than watching the sun set with the one you adore–The PAM111!!!! This Luminor Marina keeps this gal's wrist nice and warm with its larger 44MM case.  The PAM111 will help you count down the seconds with the subdial at 9 o'clock, as the sun drops slowly behind the calming ocean.

Just incase you would like a better look at her face (PAM111), I included a shot of the gorgeous Luminor Marina. This is a hot watch for Panerai and seems to be the gateway watch for many.  

Shreeve & Company Preview: PAM00518 Chronograph

Panerai From A Woman's Perspective
by Maria

...New Panerai Model Coverage...

PAM00518 Chronograph

Exclusive Shreeve & CO Preview

I am madly in love with Panerai and was fortunate enough to have recently attended a wonderful Panerai Event at  Shreve & Co. in Palo Alto, California, with Jake.  Shreve & Company reminds me of a big girl’s candy store, with Panerai being my favorite candy in every flavor I could ever dream of!  This is where I got a chance to wear the all-new mouth-watering Radiomir 1940’s Chronograph "Platino", but lets just call it the Platino 518. Platino is platinum in Italian...

The Platino Chronograph is part of Panerai’s Special Edition Collection–and it indeed is very special–with only 50 pieces made for the international marketplace and they retail for $78,000!  If the shear exclusivity of the Limited Edition Platino doesn’t tempt your palate, then the stunningly bold and timeless aesthetics surely will.  This beautifully solid 45mm Platinum Cushion Case has a hypnotizing tachymeter scale running along the perimeter of the dial, which calculates the average speed for any type of competition you may be involved in, even if it’s just for fun.  

Jake took the photo of me below wearing the all-new PAM518 at the recent Panerai Shreeve event. I really like the way it looks and fits so elegantly on my wrist, and I like how strong looking and striking it is.  

I could rock it just as good as any gent with a crisp clean-collared shirt and slacks, or wear it on a day out on the boat. I could even sport it with my Sunday's Best.

I really like the sophistication of the PAM 518 dial, which pays homage to the original Rolex made prototype Panerai from 1936 (more on that later).  The dials outer tachymeter ring has a beautiful blue minute-hand, as does the 3 O’clock subdial which is used for counting seconds. The 9 O’clock subdial counts hours, and has a gold arrow hand. At 12 O'clock, the dial has a set of matching luminous stick markers, and at 6 O'clock it has a single stick marker. The rest of the luminous markers are circular and tastefully positioned on the dial, which were a perfect choice–minimal but far from being unnoticed. 



The subdials sit on a soft ivory dial which is swept over by the blue central chronograph hand.  The heavenly blue accents on the ivory dial work together harmoniously, like the big blue sky with white clouds (in reverse). The Platino vault offers a vintage looking plexiglas crystal, instead of a sapphire crystal, which gives the PAM 518 a romantic warm essence and timeless beauty when looking down at the beautiful piece.

When I tried on the Platino 518 it felt like a 47mm watch instead of a 45mm watch.  This is due to the exquisite detail of the Platino on a large ivory dial and I believe it is the largest white dial Panerai has made to date on a Radiomir. The 518 has a larger than life look and grand feel.  Anything larger than a 45mm wouldn't work and Panerai did a great job with its proportion. Also, the PAM 518 is on the thinner side with a very flat back, kind of like a PAM 372, so it lies flat on the wrist, which looks great.

It's interesting to note that one of the details that makes the dial look so clean, is that the Radiomir dial designation looks really simple and uncluttered, as does the Panerai dial designation below it. This reminds me of the beautiful simplicity of the PAM 210 and the PAM 231, which are also both 45MM.

1936 Panerai Reference 2533 47mm

First Rolex Made Panerai Prototype

The Platino 518 is derivative of and clearly inspired by the first Radiomir Panerai prototype ever made, known as the Reference 2533, which was made by Rolex for Panerai in 1936. The Reference 2533 was the beginning of the vintage Radiomir as we know it.  The 2533 used a 47mm Rolex pocket watch cushion  case, which as a standard featured, included lugs that were soldered on the case, as seen below. 

The Reference 2533 featured a Rolex movement and Rolex winding crown. If the prototype Reference 2533 is the Chalice for Panerai, then the Platino 518 is the Holy Grail. 

This next image shows the backside of the Rolex movement made for the Panerai Reference 2533. Notice at the bottom of the case back there is a "2533" engraving. This historically significant model, of which there are only several known examples, features a screwed-on plexiglass exhibition caseback with Officene Panerai Brevattato engraving. 

It is also interesting to note that Rolex first used exhibition casebacks in 1931 to showcase how a Rolex Oyster Perpetual movement rotor operated, thus it is fascinating that Rolex incorporated the same feature into this prototype Panerai to showcase the Rolex 618 Calibre movement.

Below, we see an image of the first receipt from Rolex for the Reference 2533 for making the Panerai, which is dated June 13, 1936, and it appears courtesy of Francesco Ferretti.

Below we see a wrist shot of the PAM 518 on Jake's wrist, which he took at SIHH in Geneva earlier this year. It was the first wrist shot published on the web, since Jake was the first to get a detailed briefing from Panerai at SIHH.  

I remember when I first saw this wrist shot, thinking what a great looking watch it was! Then I realized the Platino 518 reminds me of one of my favorite vintage Rolex Watch designs of all time, which is the 44MM  Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph Reference 4113 which was made between 1942 and 1943, which set an all-time auction record at Christie's in 2011 when it sold for $1.16 Million–and it was worth every penny! What does the PAM 518 have that the Reference 4113 doesn't? To name a few; much more masculine lugs with a sleek elegant appearance, but the most prominent feature is the mesmerizing exhibition case showcasing the Minerva Movement.

Inside The PAM 518

Much More Than Just A Pretty Face 

The PAM 518 exhibition case back, which showcases the stunning Minerva movement is just as, if not prettier than it’s face.  The PAM 518 has a see-through sapphire exhibition crystal flat case back which perfectly shows off the hand-wound Elite Panerai Opus XXV Calibre movement, which is exclusively made for Panerai by Minerva.  What does this all mean?  Technically … a lot! It contains a vertical clutch, column wheel chronograph that measures 12 3/4 lignes, 22 jewels, a glucydur balance, and 18,000 a/H.  It features a swan’s neck regulator and offers a power reserve of 55 hours.  

We will have to get into the complexity of movements another time so you can appreciate and fall in love with the Platino all over again.

The Platino is tied with a rich brown alligator strap and finishes off securing this beauty with a 18ct polished white gold buckle taking you down to a water resistance depth of 50 Meters.  50 meters is definitely not too deep considering Panerai offers many timepieces that can go deeper, but would you really need to sink this treasure to the depths of the deep ocean? I think not. 

The Panerai brand has a fascinating history which began in 1936 with Rolex making all their watches. Panerai watches came into existence as a top-secret military watch made for the Royal Italian Navy by Rolex, and they were the very first dedicated dive/tool watches. The Radiomir Reference 2533 was the very first Panerai prototype ever made, so it is great to see some of its DNA make it into the PAM 518.

Just as history and fashion repeat itself, Panerai outdoes itself here introducing in 2014 a new kind of Radiomir, The Platino 518...is flawlessly magnificent!

Elizabeth Hurley

...Panerai Hotness...

Elizabeth Hurley

44MM Panerai PAM00236 Daylight

Maria Wearing My Panerai PAM 372

...Panerai Hotness...

Maria Wearing My Panerai

PAM 372

My friend Maria, is pictured below wearing my Panerai PAM 372, which she is madly in love with, and plans to soon get one for herself. I actually met Maria through Jake's Panerai World, as she is a reader and wrote in and mentioned she lives in San Francisco. Maria mentioned she was thinking about getting a Panerai 372, so I let her try mine on a several times, but getting it back from her is not so easy...

In the photo below we see how great the Panerai OEM 26/26/4 Ranger strap looks on Maria (she is buying some SuzieCakes Cupcakes for desert). I must admit I was a little surprised at how amazing the 372 looked on Maria, who is 5'8 and has smaller wrists. Methinks the 372 is Trés Chic on Maria, so watch out fellas, cause I think the ladies are going to quickly be doing the same thing they did with wearing men's Rolex watches. Oh, well!?!?! It was nice while it lasted ;-)

Ironically, Maria said she was looking for photos of women wearing a Panerai 372, when she landed on Jake's Panerai World, and she was disappointed not to find any, which explains why I took and am publishing these shots. There is no better way to judge what a watch may look like on your wrist than to see a photo of such.



Below is the text from Maria's original email to me: 

Hello Jake,

I found your blog while doing research on watches.  I have completely fallen in love with the Panerai372 with it’s minimalist classic dial which is reminiscent of the Golden Era of Hollywood (I’m a silver screen enthusiast).  For this reason I am in search of the Panerai372, my only question, is this timepiece too large for a woman?  I am 5’8” and am fond of men’s watches. I am looking for a watch dealer and live San Francisco.  Is there a Panerai store in San Francisco?  

Thank you for your help if any, it is much appreciated.  Your blog was very informative and entertaining."

Maria



It has been said so many times before, that Panerai people are somehow cut from the same cloth (read: Paneristi), and the same is true with people who wear Rolex. In other words, if you meet somebody who is wearing a Panerai, you are almost guaranteed to have an instant friend for life, and obviously Panerai and Rolex watches are as great of a conversation piece as they are timepieces.





Below is a photo Maria took of my PAM 372 on her right wrist, Steve McQueen Style.



I think Wiley needs to do a version of his song titled, "Wearing My Rolex" named "Wearing My Panerai."

California Dial Radiomir Panerai

...Panerai Hotness...

California Dial Radiomir Panerai

47MM PAM00249

Kirby is a photographer based out of San Francisco and he took this great photo of his girlfriend sporting a Panerai PAM249, which has a California dial, and no dial designation.

Radiomir Black Seal PAM00292

...Panerai Hotness...

Radiomir Black Seal 

45MM Ceramic Case PAM00292

Draxler is from Europe and he took this photo of his wife holding her Panerai Black Seal Reference PAM292. I love this photo, and what a beautiful Panerai watch!!!

I included the photos below so you could get a good view of the PAM292

San Francisco Shreeve & Company Annual Panerai GTG Party

San Francisco 

Shreeve & Company

Annual Panerai GTG Party

Shreeve & Company is the oldest Jewelry story in San Francisco, and I recently attended their Annual Panerai celebration party which was thrown at Epic Road House, which is located on the San Francisco Embarcadero. The Epic Road House is one of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco, and its views of the San Francisco Bay Bridge are breathtaking.

Panerai President, Rafael Alvarez attended the event and he is pictured above on the far left. Next we see a Alex Alesandrini from Shreeve & Company in San Francisco, next we see leading San Francisco dentist, Tom Jow, and pictured on the far right we see Panerai executive Karl Poulson.

Tom owns an beautiful Limited Edition Panerai PAM00249 from 2006, which was the first limited edition Historic 47MM Panerai model made with an Art Deco California dial, and I asked him if I could check it out. I mentioned I believed the PAM00249, and PAM00372 are not only my two favorite Panerai watches, but how, collectively they represent the best of Historic Panerai DNA. In the photo below we see Tom taking a photo of my PAM 372, next to his PAM 249 with his iPhone 5.

I took this next photo of my PAM 372 next to Tom's PAM 249. I tried on Tom's PAM 249, and I was surprised at how much smaller it seemed than my PAM 372. This is due to the fact the PAM 372 has standard lugs, and the PAM 249 has wire lugs.

Tom held up the my PAM 372 and his PAM 249 so we could take front view profile shots, and you see the PAM 249 has a beautifully rounded domed crystal.



Panerai setup these beautiful display cases at the event, which showcased a wide variety of amazing Panerai watches. As I mentioned earlier, the Epic Road House Restraunt has a STUNNING view of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, out the window as seen below.

I had a chance to check out the new Panerai PAM 514, and in the photo below, we see it on my wrist being compared to my PAM372. I was surprised how much smaller the PAM 514 seemed next to the PAM 372. I believe this is because the PAM 372 is based upon the vintage Panerai 6152 and the PAM 514 is based upon the vintage Panerai Reference 6154. Of course, the PAM 372 also has the crown protector, which gives it a bigger look, and it also has a raised Plexiglass crystal, whereas the PAM 514 has a lower profile sapphire crystal.

The Panerai PAM 514 (pictured below) also has a tapered 26 to 22 strap, which gives it a smaller, more dressy look.

There was a man who attended the event who was wearing a Special Edition Panerai PAM 341 from 2009, which I had never seen before in person, and I was shocked at how enormous this monster was in person. I knew it was 60MM, but I was stunned at how much larger is looked next to my PAM 372. Actually it makes my PAM 372 look small!?!?!

I ran into Swedish beauty, Lisa Kalbfleisch who is a Shreeve & Company sales associate at their Palo Alto store, and I noticed she was wearing the new 42MM Panerai PAM00512, which features the Historic 1940s Radiomir case.

The Panerai PAM 512, is a specific example of Panerai design brilliance. By making this model at 42MM it fits beautifully on women, even on petite women.

In this next photo, we see the new limited edition Panerai PAM00507, which is made out of Brass. Part of the beauty of this watch is that since it is made out of Brass, instead of Gold, it is much more toned down, kind of like the new light gold iPhone 5.

I took this next photo from the rear deck of the Epic Road House, and the view was absolutely stunning!

Overall the Panerai GTG was really fun and a beautiful party, with beautiful watches, and people in a beautiful venue. As I was walking away from the Epic Road House, I snapped this last image.

Salma Hayek Luminor Panerai

...Panerai Hotness...

Salma Hayek
Luminor Panerai

Salma Hayek is an Academy Award winning actress, and certainly one of the most beautiful and elegant women alive. 

Salma Hayek co-starred along Pierce Brosnan in After The Sunset, which is one of the most famous movies where you see an actor rockin' a Panerai watch, as we can see in the photo below.

In real life, Salma Hayek wears a Luminor Panerai, as seen in the photo below. Women wearing men's Panerai watches is getting more and more popular these days, kind of like women wearing men's Rolex watches.

Alexis Bellino Panerai Luminor Marina

...Panerai Hotness...

Alexis Bellino

Panerai Luminor Marina

Alexis Bellino is pictured below sporting her Luminor Panarai and her Hermes Birkin Bag. Can you say "Yoooouch!!!!!" Alexis Bellino stars on the TV show, Real Houswives of Orange County

Stana Katic

...Panerai Hotness...

Stana Katic

2004 Limited Edition 

Radiomir Panerai Black Seal

45MM PAM00183 G Series

Stana Katic is an actress. She started as Detective Kate Beckett on ABCs Castle. She also played Hana Gitelman in Heroes, and Collete Stenger in season 5 of the TV show 24. She also has a distinguished career on the big screen, and played Corrine Veneau in the James Bond Movie, Quantum Of Solace.

Stana Katic is wearing a rare limited edition 45MM G-Series Panerai which was made in 2004, and was limited to only 1500 units. This model is distinguished by having the "Black Seal" designation above the 6 o'clock marker. 

The G-Series Panerai PAM00183 has a manual wind mechanical movement with 56 hour power reserve. The sandwich dial is midnight black, and the watch has a Sapphire crystal on the front and back of the watch. Also, the Black Seal has black hands with white lume. I included a close-up show below that shows the Black  Seal in detail on a beautiful brown Panerai Strap.