When wearing a Panerai watch without their trademark crown guard, I always wonder to myself, “do you wish this watch had that signature feature?” That large crown-guard with its folding lever is such an integral part of Panerai design it seems odd to wear a Panerai without it. Frankly, while I like the crescent crown guard, I don’t think all watches need it. For that reason, I am such a fan of the Radiomir-style case, in in the PAM514 I think it would detract from the design.
Attached to the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days watch is a black distressed-style leather strap with some contrast stitching. I believe that Panerai might offer a few strap options, but I did like this one. Panerai tends to make watches that look good on a variety of straps, so if you have a a Panerai, I recommend you experiment with a diverse range of colors and materials for the strap.
If you are willing to wind your watch regularly or prefer a manually-wound watch, the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days PAM514 would make a solid daily wear, assuming you like the idea of wearing such a large watch on a regular basis. Large watches are fun, and I like them, but I do find myself wanting a smaller 42mm size when I don’t want to think about the watch on my wrist. One thing I can say about Panerai is that their watches are not things you forget on your wrist. They are large, bold, and sometimes heavy. They strive to remind you that “a Panerai is strapped to you!” – a fact many people seem to enjoy.
With so many options and new choices coming each year, it is difficult to decide which Panerai is right for you. It would be hard to think of a complete watch collection without at least one Panerai in it at some point. With enough disposable income I think the PAM514 would be a nice addition to a collection because of its thinner profile and bold size. Though personally, for a daily wear, I’d like something with an automatic movement and perhaps a bit smaller – though I do love the simple yet useful dial. Retail price for the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days PAM514 watch is $8,800. panerai.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Panerai
>Model: Radiomir 1940 3 Days PAM514 (PAM00514)
>Price: $8,800 USD
>Size: 47mm
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Panerai lover who wants something a bit different than the standard 44mm wide Luminor Marina case.
>Best characteristic of watch: Wears very nicely thanks to slimmer case. Attractive dial and movement, for an overall fun and elegant wearing experience.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Large diameter might be too big for some. No quick-set date. Expensive.
