Now, one of the last companies is going little. Panerai pretty much set the standard for the 44mm wide watch being as popular as it is, and their timepieces range from 44mm to about 47mm wide. They will release a 42mm wide Radiomir model which represents their classic shape. I should point out that Panerai has made even smaller movements (such as the 40mm wide Luminor range models). Though I suspect this 42mm is aimed at being something different.
That true in the scope of things 42mm wide is still considered big for some people. 42mm wide would even seem totally ordinary on any other watch - but for a Panerai it stands out.Richemont would try to get us into smaller watches, and what a shock it is now coming from Panerai. I've even seen plenty of 44mm wide Panerai watches on women that look great. So why all of a sudden the shrinkage?
To make the watch even more enticing, Panerai is placing in it a new in-house made movement, the quite thin manually wound P'999 caliber. This allows the entire watch to be much thinner than we expect in a Panerai. The case is classic looking and in 18 rose gold - with handsome brown accents.
The physical with Panerai's new smaller watch collection with their in-house made P.999 manually-would movements and I liked it. With 44mm wide Panerai watches not looking too "large and in-charge" themselves these days, I speculated about the wisdom of them doing an even smaller model - even if it was just for the ladies. Well all that speculation is aside now, as I got a chance to play nice with the watches personally. There are three versions of this new Panerai Radiomir watch, the Ref. PAM336, PAM337, and PAM338. Differences? Pink gold, steel, and titanium - respectively. Oh, and the watches aren't just for the ladies (not that there are any dedicated women's Panerai watches, but lots of women enjoy their 44mm wide and under men's watches).
Being placed in the Radiomir cases style gives the watches a more classic look than others with some of the other case styles. The thinner (though not thin) bezel helps that watch feel larger than it is. Plus, the watch isn't too thin (but is actually quite thin for Panerai standards). So what you have is a watch that feels more substantial due to its thickness and higher emphasis on the dial size. At the same time, it is important to note that this is a thin watch in Panerai terms.
The loop style lugs help the watch look more substantial, and the flatter, smaller size of the case felt really nice on the wrist. You can see that this evolution on what it means to be a Panerai still looks good on the wrist without appearing petite. It really is a more formal and classy Panerai, the type of watch that most people aren't going to know even exists.
Inside the watch is Panerai's P.999 manually would movement with 60 hours of power reserve. The dial has the time and a subsidiary seconds dial, while the caseback of the watch has a sapphire crystal over it with a view to the nicely decorated movement.
Overall the design is good, as well as is the finishing and the style. Nothing new really, but more of what people enjoy. Just shrunken down Panerai goodness with a nice set of alligator straps (and the iconic Panerai style buckle is gone). Prices range from about $8,000 - $17,500 for one of these 42mm wide Panerai Radiomir watches.
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