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WATCH REVIEW Panerai Radiomir 10 Days GMT PAM 323

Editor's opinion
75 / 100
Here is on the Watch Observer a new Panerai Radomir. We feel in a comfort zone, but the brand offers us a declination that has its own character. Let's go through this PAM 323.
Straight to the Point

Panerai Radiomir 10 Days GMT PAM 323

Ref.: PAM 323
$10,200.00 US retail price September 9th, 2010
Pros
  • the strong and smart design
  • the multitasking side of the watch
  • the home made caliber
  • the readability
Cons
  • the sizes that could be prohibitive for some
  • the finishing of the caliber
Brand Panerai
Model name
Radiomir 10 Days GMT PAM 323
Reference
PAM 323
Case material
Steel
Case diameter (without crown)
47 mm
Case diameter (crown included)
51 mm
Caliber
P.2003/5
Base Caliber
P.2003
Functions
Date
GMT
Hour (GMT setting)
Indicateur jour/nuit
Minute
Power reserve
Second (reset function)
Crystal
Single-face crystal with anti-reflective coating
Power reserve
240h (10 days)
Transparent back
Yes
Lug width
26,02 mm
Length from lug to lug
50,74 mm
Case thickness
17,07 mm
Strap material
Alligator
Clasp type
Pin buckle
Clasp material
Steel
Total weight
147 grammes
Retail price USA at September 9th, 2010
$10,200.00
Comfort (/15) 13
Movement (/20) 15
Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) 4
Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) 5
Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) 1
Power reserve (/2) 2
Complications (/5) 3
Finishing (/20) 14
Dial finishing (/6) 5
Case finishing (/6) 4
Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) 2
Crystal quality (/4) 2
Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) 1
Functionality (/20) 17
Diurnal legibility (/5) 5
Night legibility (/4) 4
Water resistance (/3) 1
Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) 3
Clasp : quality and safety (/4) 4
Additional items (/10) 3
Limited edition (/3) 1
Watch delivered with several straps (/2) 0
Quality of the watch box (/1) 1
Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) 0
Goodies included (/1) 0
Understandability of the brochure (/1) 1
Value for money (/15) 13
When to wear it ? For a 10 day journey in Italy !
Users opinion
78%
like this watch
Do you like this watch?

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.

 

The caliber P. 2003/5, beating 28,000 vibrations per hour, is equipped with a balance that has an inertial adjustment screw and a bi-directional assemble.

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.

What to remember

The integration of the functionalities to the Radiomir design is successful.
This Panerai PAM 323 offers the principal quality of the Radiomir collection, with on top of that, the exclusivity of an interesting manufacture movement.

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Editor's opinion
73.5 / 100

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Editor's opinion
73.5 / 100

Photos Dive watches