Fine Tuning The Range
In addition to the GMT and chronograph models, the rest of the range has undergone a small amount of tweaking.
44mm Automatic Marinas
There are two new full-sized automatic Marinas. The PAM 164 is a strap model, the case is brushed, the bezel polished, and the black dial is like that of the PAM 86, but missing the "railway track" chapter ring. It is basically half-way between a PAM 104 and a PAM 86.
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The PAM 165 is a very close relative of the PAM 91, a steel / titanium Marina automatic on a steel / titanium bracelet. However the 165 has a polished steel bezel (as opposed to the 91's brushed steel), polished steel links where the 91 has brushed steel, a black dial instead of anthracite and applied polished steel markers on the dial. To my eyes the overall effect of these seemingly trivial changes has been to create the most "un-Panerai" looking watch I think I've ever seen. Don't get me wrong, it's a very handsome watch, but I was immediately reminded of the IWC Aquatimer, and several Rolex and Blancpain models.
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New Submersible
The PAM 170 is an addition to the submersible range. Using the mix-and-match of 2003 range additions, this watch ends up with an anthracite dial, a brushed titanium / polished steel bracelet, brushed titanium body and polished steel bezel. It is also worth not that the hatch marks on the bezel are not painted in. I'm afraid the only two photos I had of this model were both shockingly poor (note to self: next time; less coffee, more tripod).
New Power Reserve
Finally, the PAM 171 power reserve is identical to the PAM 124 power reserve, except that it's bezel and steel bracelet links are polsihed instead of brushed.
1000m Submersible
The PAM 87 1000m submersible has a new deeper darker blue dial, very attractive indeed. However it still retains the same reference number.
To be honest, I'm not totally keen on many of these new models. The PAM 165 is a beautiful watch in isolation, but taken as a whole, the proliferation of brushed / polished / black / anthracite differences between the models can really only lead to confusion.