Panerai wristwatch photo blog: 2011 Novelty with history: Panerai PAM373 Radiomir Platino 47mm

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

2011 Novelty with history: Panerai PAM373 Radiomir Platino 47mm

Another very interesting new Panerai model that was introduced at the 2011 SIHH is the Panerai PAM373 Radiomir Platino 47mm. The layout of the dial is unlike that of any of the contemporary Panerai watches that were released by Officine Panerai in the Pre Vendome and Vendome era.

Panerai PAM373 Radiomir Platino 47mm

The watch is however inspired on the vintage 2533, a prototype of which very few were made in the late 1930's (probably between 1935 and 1937). There's a picture of one of these prototypes in the reference section on paneristi.com. The reference section however states that only one unit exists but other sources say that several - at least two - have been made. The Panerai press release also has this paragraph "In Officine Panerai's earlier days there was a rare, mysterious version of the Radiomir of which only two examples are known...". I've also been told that the 2533 is actually the very first Panerai prototype ever made but I can't confirm if that statement is true or false. You can find some very interesting further information about the history of the vintage models - including the 2533 - in the post the Rolex-Panerai connection on Rolexblog.blogspot.com.

The PAM373 P.3000 movement

The Panerai PAM373 has a 47mm platinum case and a beautiful brown dial. The watch has the new in-house P.3000 calibre that is also used in e.g. the new Panerai PAM372. The hand-wound mechanical movement has a power reserve of 3 days. The PAM373 has a so called exhibition back (or case back crystal). I'm wondering if Panerai will release a version of the watch in stainless steel some time. That would put it within reach of many more watch enthusiasts that I'm sure would love to own a watch like this.

A close up of the unique dial

The gold hands have the so called "double pencil" shape, the hands are pointed on both sides. Another interesting thing is that this watch too - like the new PAM372 - comes with a plexi as opposed to a crystal. To my knowledge, the only contemporary Panerai watch that was made with a plexi before 2011, was the special edition PAM249 with its California dial.

Click the photos for a larger version

The watch comes with a great looking black alligator strap with white stitches. This combination works quite well. A dark brown alligator strap would probably make a great combo with the brown dial too.