greg_r 81 Posted July 28, 2009 I bought my first Fiddy from PWC last year. I didn't want to spend too much as at the time it was bigger than anything I'd ever worn before and I wasn't sure how I'd get on with it, being only my second Panerai (my first being a 111h). I therefore bought a $99 cheapie on spec. The moment I put it on I realised I'd made a mistake - I should have bought a much higher quality version. It just felt 'right' from the beginning and immediately became one of my favourite watches. Unfortunately, the last run of Robert's Ultimate Fiddy sold out very quickly, so I hung on and hoped that he'd manage to get a new batch together before long. The minute I saw that he had 'em back in stock I jumped - broke or not, I HAD to have one. I'm not disappointed. This has instantly become my all-time favourite watch - it's near flawless with a beautiful domed sapphire, superb dial, the best CG I've ever seen on a rep Panerai with a properly tight lever, a nice thick crown and excellent lume. The engraved E-series movement looks superb and is, of course, fitted with swan-neck regulator. Unlike PWC's previous ultimate Fiddy, this is also fitted with the correct E-series caseback. Downsides? Not much. The CG pin isn't quite flush and needs re-finishing and the rep strap is basically identical to the one on my cheapie (albeit with a much better buckle) - it's not bad and certainly looks the part, but it's too stiff. Doesn't matter as I have a better strap on the way. Overall, in terms of quality, this is even better than the 183 I also just bought and leaves every other rep I've owned standing. At $299 it's an absolute bargain, so if you've ever wanted a Fiddy, buy one now before Robert sells out! By the way - in the pics below the crystal looks like it has a blue tint - that's just a trick of the lighting in here (a mixture of daylight through the window, flourescent and reflections from several computer screens). There's no visible tint at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 28, 2009 I especially like the last pic - I did think it was AR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AustinTech 0 Posted July 28, 2009 I love it! Looks at home on your wrist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 28, 2009 I love it! Looks at home on your wrist. Thanks, AT. Somehow a Fiddy just seems to be the right size for me. Find it more comfortable than a 44mm PAM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
houndoggie 58 Posted July 28, 2009 So no AR on it?? No yucky blue tint? Excellent then. Just flush and polish the CG pin and you are good to go!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 28, 2009 So no AR on it?? No yucky blue tint? Excellent then. Just flush and polish the CG pin and you are good to go!! Yup Interestingly, the only PAM I have with a noticeably blue-tinted AR coating is the 233 (which ain't that bad as it's only single AR). My double AR 111 looks pretty neutral in normal light, so they CAN do it when they want to... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted July 28, 2009 Any chance of a side by side with your 111? I'm sorely tempted but like you were originally Greg, I think it may be too big for me... edit: a lefty, righty comparison on the wrist would be good...just hold the camera in your teeth...that's if your dentures will take it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 28, 2009 Actually, there's surprisingly little in it. If you're comfortable with a 111, my guess is that you'll like the 127 too - I've not got the biggest wrist around, but as I said in an earlier post, I actually find the 47mm PAMs more comfortable than the 44mm models. I'll see what I can do about a comparison shot sometime soon but a side-by-side comparison still doesn't quite demonstrate how easy the Fiddy is to wear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Massimo 53 Posted July 28, 2009 I'm starting to think the Fiddy is the PAM, it looks really good, Greg - wear it well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 28, 2009 Yup - I agree - there are other models I like as much, but the Fiddy is iconic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted July 29, 2009 Yup - I agree - there are other models I like as much, but the Fiddy is iconic. So... Greg moved from "poor bastard" to "rich bastart" category. Looks great, honestly... Seems you too have 8" wrist... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 29, 2009 Yup - I agree - there are other models I like as much, but the Fiddy is iconic. So... Greg moved from "poor bastard" to "rich bastart" category. Looks great, honestly... Seems you too have 8" wrist... what?!! he's been holding out all this time? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 LOL no. I've not actually measured, but I'd guess my wrist is more like 7.5" It's odd - the 44mm PAMs wear slightly bigger, but I've always felt that the 47mm models wear smaller. Weird... Watch looks much better on this strap, though: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted July 29, 2009 LOL no. I've not actually measured, but I'd guess my wrist is more like 7.5" It's odd - the 44mm PAMs wear slightly bigger, but I've always felt that the 47mm models wear smaller. Weird... Watch looks much better on this strap, though: Is there wrist behind the watch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 Somewhere, yeah... I think the first shot made my wrist look bigger than it is, this one goes the other way. I give up. This gives a better view of the Getat strap: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 29, 2009 what's the blue line reflection between 9-11 o'clock? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 what's the blue line reflection between 9-11 o'clock? Hmm - not sure. Quite possibly one of the screens I have in here (small office, lots of computer hardware) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 29, 2009 ok, thought it might have been a fluorescent tube reflecting in.... oh no.. dare I say it?? that's a lot of blue tint for having no AR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 ok, thought it might have been a fluorescent tube reflecting in.... oh no.. dare I say it??that's a lot of blue tint for having no AR Actually, I was looking at the wrong photo. Yes, that's a flourescent tube - supposedly daylight balanced, so has a blue tint. No, there's no tint at all on the crystal - in normal daylight it's completely neutral. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 29, 2009 ok, thought it might have been a fluorescent tube reflecting in.... oh no.. dare I say it??that's a lot of blue tint for having no AR Actually, I was looking at the wrong photo. Yes, that's a flourescent tube - supposedly daylight balanced, so has a blue tint. No, there's no tint at all on the crystal - in normal daylight it's completely neutral. but the fiddy is super natural - gaze into the fish bowl.... yes.. you are getting sleeply... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 but the fiddy is super natural - gaze into the fish bowl.... yes.. you are getting sleeply That's not the Fiddy - that's just you pulling another all-nighter. LMAO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted July 29, 2009 but the fiddy is super natural - gaze into the fish bowl.... yes.. you are getting sleeply That's not the Fiddy - that's just you pulling another all-nighter. LMAO 4:06am here, and I'm gonna kill my neighbor's dog. Greg, how about really good MACRO shot of the movement? I think you should wear this watch caseback up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 29, 2009 ....processing... I do not require sleep greg - I am a fake watch forum artificial intelligence - I can not allow you to post any more fishbowls dave... I mean greg I think you should wear this watch caseback up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2009 but the fiddy is super natural - gaze into the fish bowl.... yes.. you are getting sleeply That's not the Fiddy - that's just you pulling another all-nighter. LMAO 4:06am here, and I'm gonna kill my neighbor's dog. Greg, how about really good MACRO shot of the movement? I think you should wear this watch caseback up. LOL! how about this - not a brilliant shot, but at least it's fairly clear... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
