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Panerai Radiomir Black Seal, Manual Chronometer Watch, Ref. PAM 00183 - $3,498 (san rafael)
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Launched in early 2000s, the PAM 183 represented the first generation of the Radiomir Black Seal, rendering the series as one of the more popular Panerai lines in modern times. For almost a decade, the PAM 183 stood as a heritage and accessible offering in Panerai's catalog historic collection, replaced only in 2012 with a new model. This one here is an “N” series watch, which puts the date at approximately 2011.
Carrying the "Black Seal" series designation, the PAM 183 serves as an homage to early Italian Frogmen (military scuba divers) for whom the watches were made for in the 1930s, in coordination with Rolex. While historically inspired, the watch is nonetheless a quintessential example of the modern Radiomir. Featuring a 45mm steel cushion case with wire lugs and a flared crown, the watch recalls vintage aesthetics, while its polished finishing and soft edges display a modern elegance. The short wire lugs make the watch very wearable, even for smaller wrists.
The PAM 183 keeps things classy and timeless. Everything we know and love about Panerai is present, including a sandwich dial construction, legible pointed baton hands, and a small seconds dial at nine o’clock. The full-view of the beautifully-decorated COSC movement comes at no expense to the watch's usability, which is paired with a screw-down crown and screwed-on caseback for 100m water resistance. Many new model Radiomirs have pressed-on casebacks.
Elegantly handsome is an accurate way to summarize the Radiomir, as its core DNA hasn’t deviated that much over the years from the original 1936 watch. Although Radiomir timepieces may vary in aesthetic compared to the Luminor, one thing is for sure, they were the “original” Panerai design.
*The watch is sold "as-is".
Overall condition: Excellent pre-worn condition; On the wrist, it looks fantastic.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal, AR; no scratches to the crystal; Pristine.
- Dial, sub dials, and hands: Signed black (almost dark grey); Sandwich dial with lume; Pristine.
- Case and caseback: 45mm; Stainless steel; Signed; Polished; Threaded-on; Very light marks (see photos); Very good.
- Bezel: Fixed and polished; No perceptible marks with my eyes. Excellent.
- Crown: Signed, flared, screwed-down stainless steel; Excellent.
- Movement: Manual wind; Works perfectly and as designed; Keeps excellent time.
- Strap: Three (3) brand-new straps – 2 regular length calf-skin and 1 short length genuine black crocodile; Original Panerai signed pin buckle.
- Comes with Panerai wood box (not original to this model); no manual or original certificate.