Much of the PAM 372’s allure is down to the dial, which is highly reminiscent of the vintage Reference 6512. Like the vintage 6512, it has a sandwich dial and a simple design with only the hour markers (12, 3, 6 and 9 are in Panerai’s characteristic font) and the words Luminor Panerai engraved on it. The engraved words are then filled with an “ecru” colored paint, as are the hour markers. To match it, the hour and minute hands are done in gold. Like most Panerais, the PAM 372 is highly legible, both day and night.
Finally, to top it off, Panerai has decided to fit the PAM 372 with a highly-domed 3mm-thick Plexiglass crystal. This has been a point of contention amongst collectors and enthusiasts. Detractors argue that a Plexiglass crystal collects scratches too easily and has no place on a luxury watch. They would thus prefer a sapphire crystal. Also, Plexiglass adds thickness to an already bulky watch, making it tough to fit under shirt cuffs. On the other hand, those who like the Plexiglass crystal argue that it gives the dial a certain “warmth” that sapphire crystals can never hope to achieve with their clear, perfect clarity.
Personally, I love the Plexiglass crystal. Because it is highly domed, it distorts the dial at certain angles and the way it refracts light onto the dial makes the watch interesting to look at. “Warm” is an often used cliche when describing watches but that’s exactly what the Plexiglass crystal does. The PAM 422, which is really PAM 372 with a seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock and a sapphire crystal instead of a Plexiglass one, looks and feels cold in comparison. And while it does get scratched easily, it can be effortlessly touched up with some PolyWatch polish.
Like most Panerai watches, the PAM 372 comes with two straps – one in dark reddish brown and another in a honey-ish peanut tone – and a screwdriver for changing straps. One of the joys of owning a Panerai is changing straps and the PAM 372 seems to look good in just about any kind of strap.
In the photos you see here, I have paired the watch with its OEM reddish brown strap and also a vintage-looking strap called the Caitlin 2 from Gunny. I think both straps pair well with the watch.
It goes without saying I like this watch a lot. But I can see a couple of things going against it. Size and price. At 47mm, it is a big watch and this is likely to put people off. In addition, there are many times I see people asking on forums if it is too big for them to carry off.
Personally, I think it’s not adequate to just judge whether a watch is too big on you based on the size of your wrist. More importantly, one should look at how the watch fits you as a whole and many people are overlooking height as a factor. I have seen skinny but tall men carry off this watch very nicely. And as I have mentioned, despite its size, the PAM 372 is shaped nicely to fit most wrists.
The PAM 372 has a list price of $10,400, which, for those who do not understand and appreciate Panerai, is a lot of money money for a stainless steel case, two-hander watch – even if it does have an in-house movement. On the other hand, if you can appreciate the brand’s history and heritage, then you will find that there are few other models in Panerai’s line-up that ooze as much brand DNA as the PAM 372. panerai.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Officine Panerai
>Model: Luminor 1950 3 days (PAM 372)
>Price: $10,400
>Size: 47mm
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Anyone who appreciates Panerai’s heritage or who is looking for something that looks like the vintage reference 6512
>Best characteristic of watch: Dripping with Panerai DNA
>Worst characteristic of watch: Too thick to fit under shirt cuffs.