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Panerai Replica

Replica Midnight encounter with a PAM372

An unexpected midnight encounter with a great replica watch after having just eaten a pretty good hot dog and curly fries?

That.

Fortunately, I had my camera with me.

When it was announced in 2011, the PAM 372 was a clear front runner, with people phoning their local ADs and boutiques as soon as they heard about. I was one of those immediately drawn to it but not one of those who put my name down for one. At 47mm, it’s far bigger than anything I’d even contemplate.

Part of Panerai’s ‘Historic’ collection, the PAM 372 Luminor 1950 3 Days or ‘Fiddy Base’, as the Paneristi immediately started calling it, has a 47mm polished steel case topped with a 3mm plexi crystal (rather than sapphire) in keeping with its historical bent, and Panerai’s P.3000 hand-wound mechanical movement inside.

The historical look of the 372 is also picked up in the clean hour and minutes ‘base’ sandwich dial with as well as the plexi and case shape. As well, the reference engraving between the lugs, faux patina look and gold hands are additional historical nods that have proven so attractive to Paneristi and Panerai enthusiasts alike.

I’d heard from friends that despite its 47mm size, it was quite wearable, but as an owner of the 40mm PAM 48 who feels comfortable wearing a Radiomir but not a Luminor 44mm, I wasn’t sure that this would be the case for me.

What do you think?

It sits more comfortably than I’d have envisaged, but when it sits on my wrist proper, as opposed to pushed slightly up, the crown guard jams slightly into my hand when my hand is at particular angles. This is really a very attractive replica watch, every bit as nice in the metal was it was in photos, but unfortunately it’s just too big for me.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case : 47 mm, thickness 5.3 mm
Movement : Caliber P.3000 (5.3mm thick). Manual wind.
Jewels : 21
VPH : 21, 600
Power reserve : 3 days
Water resistance : 100 m
Strap : Leather (with an additional strap and screwdriver for strap changing)

Production has been 3500 in the N series and it’s priced at around USD 10,000.