new Panerai Luminor California 8 Days DLC 44mm PAM00779

[priamo]

For Panerai fans I share this : article and a comment to it for discussion.
"babs
says:
11/07/2018 at 14:26
Running out of ideas.
Panerai just about had any possible historic and contemporary dial variation combined in any possible case, sometimes without any reference and historical appreciation of the brand.

California dial should NEVER be housed in the Luminor Marina case – never!

This model is now nothing more or less than a custom modded no-name watch."

[CHIP]

I don’t mind the watch, but I’ve never been a bund guy, and I’m not even sure how that works with a watch so large.

Not a huge fan of the California dial on that case and with DLC, and I too think that Panerai is out of ideas and just mixing things from the parts bin hoping they don’t run out of options.

[Baco Noir]

I like this one! 44mm, DLC Ti case, and I think the blue hands / CA dial work. I’d put it on a regular strap, rubber or even a NATO. Wonder how they will be priced used?

[carl]

Well, from the various accounts of the California dial that I have read, I believe the first Panerai with this dial was on a watch made for Panerai by Rolex, with a "sandwich" of radiomir which shined through the numerals on the dial. And the material radiomir is where the Radiomir model gets it's name. Anyway, I have read so many accounts of the history I am really getting confused. I do know, however, I would never buy any Luminor with a California dial. Nor would I buy a DLC coated or ceramic watch. But that's just me. Whatever sells, I guess. And I suppose the uniqueness of the California dial is what ultimately sells. I think a lot of people will buy it because it looks "cool", and also because of the black case. Which is 44mm and not 47mm like the original. 

All I know is that I am more than happy with my Radiomir 424 with California dial. I think this is the nicest one that Panerai did so far. I spent a good few hours doing research before I decided to purchase it. Admittedly, the Panerai logo on the dial was likely not on the original, but I wanted a logo on the dial, so this fills the bill in a great way. It is also 47mm, which apparently was the size of the original, which I understand also had wire lugs.

With some of the Panerai models only run at 1000, I'm not surprised they are running out of ideas!

[carl]

I have to admit, though, it is starting to grown on me. Although I would never get a DLC coated watch, I can see where that bund strap might protect the case from dings and scratches quite a bit.

[Baco Noir]

Jul 13, 2018 14:04:49 GMT -6 carl said:

I have to admit, though, it is starting to grown on me. Although I would never get a DLC coated watch, I can see where that bund strap might protect the case from dings and scratches quite a bit.

The DLC on my Breitling has held up amazingly well even with a few dings on the case - doesn't crack and spall off like it use to.  That said, I'm thinking about the ceramic PAM00643 with the hobnail dial as a replacement for the 422.

[carl]

Jul 13, 2018 14:09:12 GMT -6 Baco Noir said:

Jul 13, 2018 14:04:49 GMT -6 carl said:

I have to admit, though, it is starting to grown on me. Although I would never get a DLC coated watch, I can see where that bund strap might protect the case from dings and scratches quite a bit.

The DLC on my Breitling has held up amazingly well even with a few dings on the case - doesn't crack and spall off like it use to.  That said, I'm thinking about the ceramic PAM00643 with the hobnail dial as a replacement for the 422.

Wow! That is really a beauty.  I have seen it in real life, and it is a knockout! I remember from quite a while back, you always liked this model.

I suppose the DLC coatings have vastly improved over the years. I think it has been about 10 years now, since I got my Breitling Blacksteel, one of the first DLC coated watches.

Really hope you get a good buck for your 422, and excited to see that 643!!

Cheers,
Carl