We’ve been with a replica Panerai kick lately hassle-free Matt Baily’s. During the past a few months we’ve accumulated an important number of rare and interesting PAMs to suit any taste, and a few interesting pieces to fascinate those discerning Paneristi who desire something hard to find. The PAM 249 is such timepiece, a close look that is an iconic model with the logo and one of the unique pieces that each serious Panerai collector really should have inside their stable.
The Radiomir 249 was published in 2006 to be a unique of 1936 examples, a nod towards the year of production of the prototype California-dial that inspired it. Whilst not the rarest Panerai limited you will find, it is usually one of the most recognized and coveted. It’s and a very polarizing design - you’ll either find it irresistible or else you’ll hate it.
Regardless of aesthetics the 249 represents the heritage and evolution with the Radiomir line and was, with the 232 rrt had been released alongside, the primary “accessible” steel 47mm Radiomir models produced. Prior to a 249 and 232 the only 47mm Radiomir heritage model had been the 60-example, platinum cased, vintage Rolex movement powered PAM 021 released in 1997.
The 249 function is to closely emulate ugly the original Radiomir prototype, without turning to building an uncompromising and unobtainable re-edition just like the 21. It features the signature Radiomir cushion case, upsized to your substantial 47mm diameter and capped served by a tall acrylic dome crystal. Movement would be the heavily modified manual-wind ETA Unitas 6497 (dubbed the OP X by Panerai) you’ll find in the Historic and Base models, with the exhibition back. Strap is a 26mm-width calfskin having a sewn-in vintage style Pre-Vendome buckle.
Compare a 47mm Rad to your standard-production 45mm and you also’d swear there is lots a lot more than 2mm separating both - these include big replica watches. Remarkably and far like other Rads, the 249 wears well even on the small wrist. The faux-wire-loop lugs supply the case a unique set of proportions. You don’t hold the added visual heft of a number of solid lugs, so although it’s got a huge-ass case it doesn’t watch out of place on a typical wrist.
Why is the 249 a 249 may be the so-known as California dial, having its unusual mixture of Roman and Arabic numbers. This arrangement has turned into a signature within the marque, despite the fact that it's been employed by other brands throughout the past.
