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After some anxious weeks of delays and waiting (including a last minute surprise LE number change), I am finally a Pamily man!
First let me say I'm not a WIS, and being a complete noob to Panerais, I think I'm just too uneducated to fully appreciate the simplicity of the base models which seem so popular with 1st time owners. I can't see myself getting a watch just because of its history or movement. The few watches I have, I bought because I like how it looks -- and most importantly, how I feel wearing it. Heck, I don't even mind a good quartz...
In the course of researching Pams, I read over and over how important it is NOT to settle and to "be patient and get the one you really desire". So, after a long thought I decided NOT to settle and I went and get my wife to buy me my grail... a brand new 193 Depth Gauge!
Sure, it's not the most popular Pam out there. But I dunno, from the very first time I laid eyes on it, it just... sings to me! When I was thinking about writing this "First Pam" post, I tried to come up with some logical reasons "Why the 193?". Is it because there's only 600 of 'em? Because it has a T-dial? Because it's got it's own category on Panerai.com? Because the 120m Depth Gauge IS actually certified & functional? (and yes, I do fully intend to dive with it)... At the end, I thought you know what? How can anyone RATIONALIZE plunking down multi-$K for a watch?? I got it because it puts a stupid grin on my face! Because it makes me FEEL HUGE JOY & HAPPINESS!! And yes, I do finally get how Panerais are not JUST a watch!! (-- as a matter of fact, the 193 is literally NOT a watch -- it's a "Professional Instrument" :grin: )
So, here's a few first impressions:
Having psyched myself up over the supposed heft & thickness of the 193 for a few weeks -- I was surprised how "mellow" the 193 actually wears on the wrist. Perhaps if you were expecting a dress watch, the thickness would shock you. But compared to many dive watches, the 193 is VERY refined indeed. Too, my first Breitling was an Emergency Mission, which is 44mm but almost as thick. I see absolutely no problem wearing this 193 as a daily wear on my 6.75" wrist.
Don't get me wrong, the 193 is certainly THE BEAST!! -- But maybe less "Frankenstein" and more Disney's "The Beast" wearing a tuxedo waltzing with The Beauty... if you know what I mean! Lol!
So I would like to thank first n foremost, my oh-so-lovely & generous wife, my future-bro-in-law whose Panerai bug I caught, and special mention to bro KC Chen who generously helped smooth my deal. I look forward to many, many, many strap changes (been busy... 15 and counting!)
Here's a few -- please excuse pics as I learn to take Risti style shots.
First is custom ++Ray++ Monster "Tongue of the Beast" Croco (what can I say, it IS a Subzilla, and Ray was willing to try my crazy idea...):
This one is custom Ray "Tail of the Beast" (horns are very soft)
Strap Cartel "Old Vintage":
Kwong Blue Croc:
Thanks for reading!
H2F
First let me say I'm not a WIS, and being a complete noob to Panerais, I think I'm just too uneducated to fully appreciate the simplicity of the base models which seem so popular with 1st time owners. I can't see myself getting a watch just because of its history or movement. The few watches I have, I bought because I like how it looks -- and most importantly, how I feel wearing it. Heck, I don't even mind a good quartz...
In the course of researching Pams, I read over and over how important it is NOT to settle and to "be patient and get the one you really desire". So, after a long thought I decided NOT to settle and I went and get my wife to buy me my grail... a brand new 193 Depth Gauge!
Sure, it's not the most popular Pam out there. But I dunno, from the very first time I laid eyes on it, it just... sings to me! When I was thinking about writing this "First Pam" post, I tried to come up with some logical reasons "Why the 193?". Is it because there's only 600 of 'em? Because it has a T-dial? Because it's got it's own category on Panerai.com? Because the 120m Depth Gauge IS actually certified & functional? (and yes, I do fully intend to dive with it)... At the end, I thought you know what? How can anyone RATIONALIZE plunking down multi-$K for a watch?? I got it because it puts a stupid grin on my face! Because it makes me FEEL HUGE JOY & HAPPINESS!! And yes, I do finally get how Panerais are not JUST a watch!! (-- as a matter of fact, the 193 is literally NOT a watch -- it's a "Professional Instrument" :grin: )
So, here's a few first impressions:
Having psyched myself up over the supposed heft & thickness of the 193 for a few weeks -- I was surprised how "mellow" the 193 actually wears on the wrist. Perhaps if you were expecting a dress watch, the thickness would shock you. But compared to many dive watches, the 193 is VERY refined indeed. Too, my first Breitling was an Emergency Mission, which is 44mm but almost as thick. I see absolutely no problem wearing this 193 as a daily wear on my 6.75" wrist.
Don't get me wrong, the 193 is certainly THE BEAST!! -- But maybe less "Frankenstein" and more Disney's "The Beast" wearing a tuxedo waltzing with The Beauty... if you know what I mean! Lol!
So I would like to thank first n foremost, my oh-so-lovely & generous wife, my future-bro-in-law whose Panerai bug I caught, and special mention to bro KC Chen who generously helped smooth my deal. I look forward to many, many, many strap changes (been busy... 15 and counting!)
Here's a few -- please excuse pics as I learn to take Risti style shots.
First is custom ++Ray++ Monster "Tongue of the Beast" Croco (what can I say, it IS a Subzilla, and Ray was willing to try my crazy idea...):
This one is custom Ray "Tail of the Beast" (horns are very soft)
Strap Cartel "Old Vintage":
Kwong Blue Croc:
Thanks for reading!
H2F
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