WATCH REVIEW Panerai Radiomir 10 Days GMT PAM 323

Panerai PAM 323
Overview

This Panerai Radiomir 10 Days GMT takes up all the specificities of the Radiomir: the cushion casing, the crown, the matt sandwich dial and the wire loop strap attachments.

With 17.07 mm thickness and 47 mm diameter, the sizes are imposing.
But the casing, all in delicacy and curves allows an astounding comfort for a watch of such dimensions.

All these functions, to begin with, the time, are really readable, daily and nightly.
The conception of the dial and the luminova application is remarkably efficient.

The rounded sapphire, yet described as anti-reflection, shines nevertheless a lot, without however too much harming the readability of the functions.

A watch endowed with its own identity

So, just another Radiomir?

Not really! With this PAM 323, the additional functionalities give the model a real identity.

The date is discreetly integrated at 3 o’clock, balancing the small second at 9 o’clock.

Then, the power reserve is precised at 6 o’clock thanks to a circular indicator.

At last, the GMT function is ensured by a reference hour indication hand at 12 o’clock and by a discreet day/night indicator located inside the sub-counter of the little second.

An “in house” movement

Since several years, the Panerai catalogue has become wealthier with “in house” movements, developed within the Richemont Group, in collaboration with Valfleurier.
It is the case with this caliber P. 2003/5 that deserves our attention.

Indeed, this 28,000 vibrations per hour automatic caliber is equipped with a balance that has an inertial adjustment screw and a bi-directional assemble.

And what distinguishes it in particular is its 10-day power reserve that perpetuates the tradition of the brand in this field.
It is gained thanks to three barrels, which third one allows indicating the remaining power reserve.

Finally, the GMT function allows the setting of the local time without stopping the watch, and indicates the reference time discreetly but clearly at 12 o’clock.
It is not the most suitable for a GMT.
But it is more conformed to the Radiomir design.

At last, this little technique vanity, both practical and elegant: when hand setting, the seconds are automatically set back to zero.

The finishing is properly realized.
The visible parts of the bottom plate and the oscillating weight are brushed and chamfered.

A disappointment still: beside the framed oscillating weight and the balance, the architecture of the movement does not allow seeing other mechanical elements.