Panerai PAM268 Radiomir 8 Days
There is much information to be found regarding the Luminor 1950 PAM233 - which has a similar (P.2002 based) hand wound mechanical Manifattura movement and a power reserve of 8 days. Information about the 268 however is scarce. It's quite odd, especially if you consider how good looking, functional and unique this watch is. Panerai produced only 400 units in the J-series (2007) and 600 units in the K-series (2008). To my knowledge, the watch is currently still in production.
Click the photos for a larger version
There are of course other Radiomir watches with an 8-day power reserve. The discontinued PAM190 is one example, but the two hardly compare. The 190 has a modified JLC movement (OP XIV), no date and no power reserve indication on the dial. The JLC movement is undoubtedly one of the finest movements around - but the P.2002 can easily compete and what's more, it's really Panerai - which does make it more interesting to me.
Panerai PAM268 and the PAM233 on the right
Both the 233 and the 268 have the horizontal power reserve indicator on the dial and both watches have a date function, sadly without a quick date change function. Besides the lack of the GMT function that is available on the PAM233, there is one other difference between the P.2002/3 movement used in the PAM268 and the P.2002/1 movement that's used in the PAM233 being that the P.2002/3 does not have a seconds reset function.
Case backs of the PAM268 and PAM233
The most obvious visual difference between the 268 and the 233 is of course the case. A Radiomir case with an onion shaped screw in crown, versus a Luminor case with the distinctive Panerai crown guard. Again, if posts about watches on the watch boards are an indication, it seems that the Luminor case Panerai watches are generally more popular than the Radiomir case watches. Perhaps it's because of the crown guard on the Luminors which is so typical for Panerai. Other important differences between the 268 and 233 are that the 233 has a domed crystal - which the 268 does not have - and the so called cyclops (magnifying lens) above the date at the nine o'clock position on the 268.
Detail showing the OP (Officine Panerai) logo on the crown and the "cyclops"
The straps on the 268 in these photos are after market straps (blue alligator by ABP and tan strap by Justin Chen). The original strap that comes with the watch is a black alligator strap with Panerai personalised steel large-size buckle.
A comparison
The table below shows an overview of the most noticeable differences and similarities.| PAM268 | PAM233 | |
| case diameter | 45mm Radiomir | 44mm 1950's Luminor |
| case finish | polished stainless steel | brushed stainless steel |
| crystal | 1.9mm flat | 2.0mm domed |
| date magnification | cyclops | none |
| GMT | no | 24 hour |
| second reset | no | yes |
| dial type | Sandwich, no 3 or 9 | Sandwich, no 3 or 9 |
| dial paint | Luminova | Luminova |
| water resistance | 100m | 100m |
| case back | see through sapphire crystal | see through sapphire crystal |
| strap attachment | removable wire loops | lugs |
| strap width | 26mm | 24mm |
| strap changing | 1.4mm screws | new push button mechanism |
| crown | onion shaped screw in | crown guard push down |
| movement | in-house P.2002/3 | in-house P.2002/1 |
| power reserve | 8 days | 8 days |
| power reserve indicator | horizontal on dial | horizontal on dial |
More photos of the 268 can be found on paneristipix.com.
Related posts
Twenty strap combos for a Panerai 233PAM312 Luminor 1950 Marina 3-days
An iconic Panerai, the 232
PAM316 48mm Radiomir Tourbillon
An overview of posts about wristwatches on this site
All photos © 2009 M.Wilmsen - do not copy without permission
Thanks to TB for lending me the watch to take pictures
