Panerai 236 Luminor Chrono Daylight

Frowned upon or loved... the PAM236 may not be the watch that many Paneristi will get excited about, but it is in fact a very nice wristwatch. Panerai's loyal group of passionate followers tends to lean more towards the Panerai watches with a simple dial and few functions. The watches that are more akin to the first historical watches so to speak. This chronograph obviously is a different beast altogether, but it screams Panerai nonetheless.

The watch was first introduced in the Panerai Contemporary line in 2006 (I series). As opposed to the new Manifattura chronos and other more recent models - the current model of the 236 still has the square push buttons for the chronograph functions. And it still has the old style solid-chunk-of-metal bracelet. If you want to really feel that you're wearing a watch, then you'll love the 236 without a doubt. I personally really like its weight and its solid look and feel. And it is such an eye catcher...


PAM236 Luminor Chrono Daylight

Have a look at the two photos below to see the difference between the old style bracelet on the left, and the new style bracelet of the PAM327 on the right. Both bracelets are fitted with a deployant (folding clasp). Note that the 236 has a solid steel bracelet while the bracelet of the 327 is made of titanium (click the photos for a larger version).

I've heard someone say that the PAM236 is a bracelet on a watch and that the PAM327 is a watch on a bracelet. Perhaps that does sum it up, but I'm not sure which of the two is either a good or a bad thing. I've had the opportunity to try on both these watches when I was taking the photos and I would really have a hard time deciding which one I like best. Obviously these are two very different watches but I'm referring to the bracelet here.

Click here to read my earlier post about the new titanium PAM327 Luminor Chrono Daylight.

Photography

I particularly like the large photo at the top of the post. Because of how the color on the bracelet is reflected onto the watch from the rope. But also because of how the shallow depth-of-field nicely blurs the background and draws immediate attention to the dial and bezel. I made that shot with 2 off-camera speedlights, a shutter speed of 1/60th and the aperture set at F9 (camera in full manual mode).

Here are a few more photos I took of this watch. You can click the photos for a larger version.

All photos © 2009 M.Wilmsen