I have always been into mechanical watches. When I was younger it was pocket watches, but then I grew up, started a family, got a house and a mortgage and then the watches were put on hold for a number of years. The interest was still there and I started to follow some online. Pocket watches were still interesting, but not very useful and I realized that I would have the means to get a decent watch. This is 17-18 years ago. I wanted a robust watch for everyday use and after seeing my brother in law´s Panerai Black Seal, I got more interested in the brand. I had considered a Rolex, but I was reluctant as I didn’t want to be associated with the people buying a sports Rolex to show off. This was back in the days where you could walk in from the street and buy a sports Rolex. As it was the same AD, I tried on both some Rolexes and then this Panerai Luminor Marina Pam111. My god, it was big (44mm, 15 mm thick), like wearing a can of tuna on a strap. The brand new Deep Sea was tiny in comparison. The nice man in the shop told me to visit as many times as I wanted and try it on. “It takes some time to get used to.” he said. So I did visit a couple of times more and it did grow on me until a point where I decided that it had to be this watch, despite the size.

For close to 14 years it was my every day watch. I did get more watches, but I liked to wear it and kept doing so until I got the watch I dreamt about 14 years earlier, but couldn’t afford: The GO Panoreserve. Then the PAM suddenly felt very big and I took a break from wearing it. Now it is back after being with my Son-in-law for two years, still very big, but I remember why I like it so much. I can read the dial no problem – my eyesight is not 20/20. It feels so robust and believe me, I’ve put it through its paces, doing heavy gardening. Yes, I got a few scratches, but it keeps time very accurately. Because of the size I’ve also banged it against walls, doorframes and furniture over the years, and it survived.

The Unitas movement reminds me of my old love: the pocket watch. A lot of people notice that it is special, but most people have no idea what it is; it’s just cool. And I never get asked if it is real, like Rolex owners often do (and find annoying). Finally, there is that all-time favorite pastime for a Panerai owner: changing straps. It is so easy to do and since a strap can totally change the appearance of a watch, having many straps is almost like having many watches. Will it be my daily watch again? No, probably not. I’m over my large watch period and I’m sure my Son-in-law also would like to wear it from time to time, when his honeymoon with his new Nomos is over. He has a bigger wrist and unfortunately I must admit that it probably looks better on him than me. But I think I will “borrow” the Panerai Luminor Marina Pam111 from him now and then, just to reminisce about old times.