The Panerai you see above might look a lot like every other Panerai, that is unless you’re a Paneristi. You see, the PAM 399 (and 398 – which is the same watch, but in gold) is actually a new case and crown design for PAM, and a watch that collectors are already going nuts for. Just how is it any different? Let’s explain:
The Radiomir is the Panerai that we’re told was built in the 1930s, and it features lugs that are actual wires welded to the case. You all know the type. Then, in the 1950s, Panerai was known for its Luminor case – the one with the beefy crown guard that looks like this. What the PAM 399 is, or rather the Radiomir 1940 is, is a watch built in tribute to the Radiomirs not of the 1930s nor the Luminors of the 1950s, but of the oft forgotten Radiomirs of the 1940s which featured lugs attached directly the steel case – in fact they were carved out of a single block of metal. Other distinguising traits include the oversized, but historically accurate 47mm dimater, Plexiglas crystal, the round, cambered bezel, the cylindrical crown and the screw back. If you still don’t understand the difference between the standad Radiomirs, the new Radiomir 1940, and the Luminor, this should clear things up: