Panerai Luminor Base PAM 010 Series A 1998

In this video I discuss the Panerai Luminor Base PAM 010 Series A that I purchased at a flea market in São Paulo, Brazil in 1999 for US $2500.

Specifications:
Dial Markings: LUMINOR PANERAI T SWISS MADE T
Case Material: PVD coated steel
Year of Manufacture: 1998 (dated by movement serial number)
Caliber: ETA 6497-2
Jewels: 17
Case Diameter without crown: 44mm min / 50mm max
Lug-to-Lug: 53mm
Lug Width (for strap) 24mm
Thickness: 14.5mm
Weight with Strap and Buckle as Shown: 143g
Buckle: 22mm Panerai logo PVD coated pin buckle (original)
Strap: black rubber strap marked OFFICINE PANERAI (new, of questionable providence)
When I Purchased it: 1999
Where I Purchased it: São Paulo
How Much I Paid For it: US$ 2500
How Much it Sold For New: about the same as I paid for it? (not sure)
How Much it's Worth Now: $8,000 to $18,000 (who knows? Limited Edition Series A T - SWISS - T Luminors command a premium price, but it's also quite worn.)
What I Did To It: threw away the box and wore it like any non-watch collector would wear a watch

This page can be referenced to date Panerai watches by movement serial number:
https://panerai.watchlounge.com/introduction/

Interesting page with the history of Early Vendome-period Panerai:
https://perezcope.com/2017/01/19/panerai-b-series-sought-after-tritum-and-luminova-dials/

Lots more great Panerai stories on Perezcope.com:
https://perezcope.com/2021/08/08/panerai-in-house-movements-a-pam-of-worms/

https://perezcope.com/sitemap/

The tools I use are discussed in greater detail in these videos:

$400 Worth Of Bergeon Tools And Supplies
https://youtu.be/lr0cmsUerps

Everything I Know About Watchmaking in Five Minutes
https://youtu.be/65mmQt5o0Cg

The stand on my desk that I use to elevate my work area is an IKEA SIGFINN monitor stand.

Before opening any vintage watch or clock for the first time I recommend checking it for radium paint. I didn't do that in this video because it wasn't the first time that I opened this watch. For more information on radium and how to check for it using a geiger counter see either of these two videos:

Everything I Know About Watchmaking in Five Minutes
https://youtu.be/65mmQt5o0Cg?t=112

How to Re-lume a Vintage Watch
https://youtu.be/0fFX1LkpjMU?t=829

The NetIO GC10 that I use is no longer made. It uses an SBM-20 geiger muller tube, which is also used in the GQ GMC-300E and other geiger counters. If you find one of those it should perform similarly.

My videos are for entertainment and educational purposes only. Critical / corrective comments and links to resources including other watchmaking channels are welcome.

#restoration #watchmaker #comedy #watchrepair #watchrestoration #panerai #luminor