Seadweller4000 Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 This test is dedicated to my friends Takashi who had lent me this watch to write an article on it and Stephane who has probably the most beautifully modified example. Officine Panerai, formerly known as Guido Panerai & Figlio, has always rather been an engineering company than a horological one which is explainable by its roots. Building equipment for military purpose only, the demand of the Italian Navy was reduced dramatically after the fall of the iron curtain. The brand, until then only producing a few but precisely crafted instruments for specialists, had to rethink their policy. They introduced a single huge Radiomir model limited to 1000 pieces, a civilian version, to the Italian public in 1993. It did not really take off the way the OP had hoped, but it had the huge fortune that Sylvester Stallone accidentally discovered it during his stay in Florence for his “Daylight” motion picture. Stallone has a problem with his sight and of course was stunned by the great legibility due to the giant dial and a lot of luminous material. Luckily, Stallone also has the wrist to wear such a large watch – keep in mind that OP really is the trendsetter in huge sportswatches. Back then nobody was used to sizes bigger than a Rolex sportswatch, 40mm was the maximum. So, after shooting successfully his “Daylight” movie, John Rambo – erm, Sylvester Stallone – returned to the States and soon asked OP to produce a few hundred of these watches for his personal friends (for marketing reasons is my guess) with the “Daylight” writing on the dial and his engraved signature on the casback. Somehow one of these watches got on the desk of Johann Rupert. He liked the watch a lot and was impressed by its design, size and its uniqueness. And, as he is incidentally CEO and majoritarian owner of the Richemont- formerly known as V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 SD! Excellent review, as usual! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Lovely B. Thx for taking the time cheers ! Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takashi Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Thanks a lot for the review Hope to see the 100m test as this will be pushing the watch to the limit. The gen also has this depth rating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baltic Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Top review of a top watch. My 7753 196 with The Zigmeister lume is possibly my favourite watch :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athan Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Thank you so much for your great review. I feel so lucky being with this forum!! Athan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs1971 Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 And another amazing review... Thnx, B!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 great review - thanx a lot therefor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfman Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Once again .... AMAZING REVIEW mate Thanks again for your wonderfull work B. Regards Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Wow, I almost missed this one SD ! Great review, thanks a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Most Excellent Review Sir, and there goes another one on to the list of ones to buy. Will it ever stop??? Please keep up the good work ST4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbchubb Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 SD as allways setting the standards for watch reviews.... thanks. My 196 was my second ever PAM rep.... back in the ol' days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steen Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thank's alot! Indeed a nice review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Superb review, very good info, thank you! At risk of sounding stupid - you mentioned replacing the rotor? What type of rotor and how would that help? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted July 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thank you all for your kind words. It is great to participate in this community! Thanks a lot for the review Hope to see the 100m test as this will be pushing the watch to the limit. The gen also has this depth rating. I am also most curious about this. As it passed 50m without any problems I think it has good chances. Will let you know, soon. Superb review, very good info, thank you! At risk of sounding stupid - you mentioned replacing the rotor? What type of rotor and how would that help? Thanks! The rotor bearing is too loose and not so good anymore. The rotor turns up and down and will start rubbing against the caseback, soon. You can solve this by simply exchanging the damaged parts during a service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellomen Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 excellent review again, my friend You really take reviews to a new and much higher level. It's a great read... and very informative! Thanx so much for doing this and taking the time to share it with us PS. i love your sense of humor in details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capice Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 where do you get the time to make these eyecandy reviews B.., don't you sleep? Tnx for taking the time ans share this m8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishgodeep Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Tremendous review - tremendous watches !!! Kudos due all round!!! FGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Another great review of one of my all time favorite PAM's - well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Awesome review, awesome photography, and a truly awesome watch behind it all, a definitel must have for my collection. Kudos, gentlemen, this review is a true masterpiece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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