The hand-wound Radiomir PAM 338 that was presented at the SIHH 2010, offers you a particularly impressive combination of Panerai’s easily recognizable vintage-styled exterior with the new mechanical movement, which is crafted exclusively at their own production facilities in Switzerland: a real treat for those tired of numerous “modified” movements based on inexpensive ETA blank calibers.
Equipped with the same Caliber P.999 manufacture movement and packed in the identically-shaped 42mm case, the Panerai Radiomir PAM338 is a sibling of the Radiomir PAM 337 revealed at the same event. Beating at just 21,600 vibrations per hour, the movement may feel a bit archaic, but this was probably done by choice since the mechanism is supposed to power less expensive members of the Italian brand’s ‘historic’ line.
Visually, the mechanism reminds me of an earlier Piaget Caliber 838P (see picture below) and, having done some basic googling, I can see that I am not the only one who has suspicions regarding the movement’s ‘in-houseness’ so to speak.
But, of course, both Panerai and Piaget are owned by the same Richemont SA holding company, so I assume that there could have been some sort of technology transfer between the two brands: while Piaget has an impressive record when it comes to designing great mechanisms, Panerai is still new to the game, so they needed some help to get the whole train going. Still, if the visual similarity is just a similarity, I would like to offer them my apologies in advance.
Returning to the exterior design similarities between the 337 and this 338, I would say that the only noticeable difference between the two is that while the PAM337 comes in a polished steel body, the PAM338 has its prominent case made of brushed titanium, which is nicely contrasted by a polished stainless steel bezel.
This combination of materials and types of finish makes the watch not only feel but also look a lot lighter.
However, the timekeeper’s dressy look was somehow sabotaged by the hour, minute, and seconds hands that are made of gold and treated with the traditional greenish Superluminova luminous substance.
To my taste, these materials just do not mix. You either make the case in gold or stick to titanium and steel. Of course, you can also use white gold (or even platinum) if you are so eager to make it feel more “precious.”
Just don’t mix them, dammit!
However, if you like “two-tone” watches and the gold elements don’t sting your eye, this member of the Radiomir family may be a nice choice: the traditionally high price (this one is tagged with $8500 MSRP, but the final price will depend on where in the world you happen to live in) is finally justified with a simple and high-quality P.999 caliber.
See also: Panerai Radiomir PAM 336: Now in a 42-millimeter Body!
Photos: Officine Panerai
Panerai Radiomir 42mm P.999 PAM 338 specification
Price: $8,500 (MSRP)
Movement: Panerai P.999 Calibre, hand-wound, 144 parts, 27.06 mm in diameter, 3.40 mm thick, in-house, Swiss Made
Jewels: 19
Cadence of balance: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case: Brushed titanium
Bezel: Polished stainless steel
Shape: Cushion
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Size: 42.00 mm
Dial: Black, layered
Hands: Stainless steel, luminous
Strap: Black Alligator leather strap with contrast stitching and pin buckle in steel
Crystal: Sapphire, corundum, 1.5 mm thick, anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 100 meters