WATCH REVIEW Panerai Radiomir 42 mm PAM 338

A sober and elegant Panerai Radiomir

The design of the Radiomir is known to be the smartest and the finest of the Firenze’s brand.

In the case of this Panerai PAM 338, everything is conceived to respect the historical range, while making it more discreet than its elders.
Indeed, the original design is integrally respected: cushion-shaped case, sandwich dial with a little second at 9 o’clock, acronymic crown and wire loop strap attachments.

What is interesting and even troubling, is to see to which point the dimensions of this model make it different from the other Radiomir.
The case measures 42 mm diameter over 11.62 mm thickness and is very fitting with a suit.
Which is quite rare with Panerai…
The gilded hands as well as the black crocodile strap emphasize the impression of elegance.

Around the wrist, you will appreciate the use of titanium.
The watch seems light and is very comfortable to wear. Indeed, this PAM 338 only weighs 70 grams, a featherweight watch in the Panerai catalogue!
As for the finishing is successful: circular-brushed case and polished bezel, underlining thus the dial.

A versatile luxury watch

Even portrayed as a smart watch, this PAM 338 keeps the perks of a Radiomir.

Its waterproofness up to 100 m and the easiness to change the strap allow however to think that this Panerai is able to travel far further than the back and forth home-office and that it will be able to put forward its multitask side.

For instance, a rubber strap will make it comfortable at sea or a rougher leather strap will transform it into a more sports watch.

As always with the Radiomir, all the ingredients are gathered in order to make it as legible as possible: large openness of the dial, polished and gilded hands, black matt sandwich dial and the meticulous application of Luminova.

In every condition, the contrast between the hands, the markers and the dial is deeply marked.

The movement: Cal. Panerai P.999/1

How did Panerai motorize this “little” Radiomir?

Thanks to the new manufacture caliber, the P.999/1.
It is a 3 mm thick caliber over a 27.4 mm diameter.
Produced on a common basis with the 838P (that equips in particular the Altiplano) by Piaget, known for its thin calibers, Panerai takes thus advantage of the synergies within Richemont.

Its technical characteristics make it familiar with its cousin, with a 60-hour power reserve in spite of its thinness, 21,600 alternations per hour, shockproof, but no accurate setting.

The main difference lies in a quite original plate cuts.
Moreover, each movement is identified and numbered.

As for the other movements newly released by Panerai, the finishing is brushed.
It gives a sports impression – which might seem a little bit inappropriate in a “smart” model like this one.

However, the finishing is well realized.
But the movement of this smart Panerai would have deserved a little more “attention”. As for instance some “Côtes de Genève” or some chamfering.