A classic design that makes a statement
Not much needs to be said about the design of the PAM00111. It's about as iconic as you can find in a modern watch.
The simplicty yet depth of the sandwhich face, the carefully balenced weight of the hands and indices, and the whimsical numerals is visual perfection. The case is definitely large but that's in vogue now, of course. In the case of the Panerai, the large case isn't merely a nod to changing fashion; it was necessary to accommodate the pocketwatch Unitas movement Panerai chose to drive the watch. Nevertheless, the 44mm size is a plus for today's large watch market. Time will tell if the "plus-size" watch has fashion staying power, but I suspect this design will always find a receptive audience.
The tan cowhide band is a suitable choice for most any occasion except perhaps a truly formal look, in which case a 44mm watch isn't the best choice anyway (at least by traditional standards). Nevertheless, one of the things that makes owning a Panerai enjoyable is the wide assortment of bands that work well with this watch. Trading out one band for another to suit your mood and dress is practically a necessity for Panerai owners, made easier by Panerai's unique screw-in pins.
Mechanically, the Unitas is a solid, well-built mechanism. ETA bought Unitas years ago and now makes all the movements, which is a good thing in my view. The Unitas 6497 is a time-proven, hand-wind tank-of-a-movement. It beats fairly slow for modern standards (21,600), but that usually translates to lower maitenance and less trouble in the long run.
My watch ran about 13 sec/day slow, but it was locked on and consistent at that rate, so it just needed a little regulation to land within a couple of seconds per day. This movement is not COSC certified, but it can meet that l;level of accuracy when regulated properly.
My only worry with buying a Panerai (and it's a minor one to be sure) is whether such a large and distinct watch has the potential to fall out of fashion one day in the future. The design is big and bold, which usually doesn't translate to longevity in fashion terms. Fashion trends usually regress to the mean, though when a watch design achieves iconic status (e.g., the Rolex Submariner, the Cartier Tank, etc.), it transcends normal fashion and becomes a standard by which others are measured. Judging by the number of watches imitating the Panerai design, I think the PAM00111 is well on its way to reaching that status.
A great watch.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
