Trying to Bond with a Watch
This Pagani PD1667-G "007" was the second watch I bought when getting into watches. I thought it was handsome, very decent quality for the price, and should be versatile.
It also kindled a strong interest in watches, which led me to where I am today.
But as I have had other watches join the collection, I found myself reaching for this one less and less.
The problem is one of balance. It's a large heavy watch head (very similar dimensions and weight to the Omega SM300 Pro it's "homaging" - so I think I would have the same issues with the Omega).
Seriously, it's 14mm thick (.1mm more than most SM300 Pros and .9mm more than the Ti Bond version). It's really tall, and I'm a big guy:
It's been really difficult to find a strap that doesn't make it feel like it's top heavy on my wrist. Here are the contenders:
The Milanese that came with it is very light and blingy (there is a huge difference between an Omega Ti Milanese and an AliExpress $20 SS) and the clasp is really difficult to adjust. I never Bonded with it (sorry, just seeing if anyone actually reads this far):
Next I tried this Connery RAF strap, which looked fantastic but the heavy head just bobbled on my wrist - never felt secure:
Next I tried a leather strap. This gave the most comfortable secure feel with the watch head not tugging at my wrist. But something about leather on a Seamaster-adjacent watch doesn't sit right with me (even if the watch itself did):
So, loving the Uncle Straps Omega bracelet I have on my Pagani Speedmaster, I ordered one for this Pagani too. And the watch head is just too heavy against this lightweight bracelet (that's OK, I can use it as an alternate for the Speedy). I see why the bracelets on real Omegas are heavy - to balance it out. But it looks great on this bracelet:
This is all a shame, as otherwise it's been a surpisingly great watch for the price. It's consistently running +1 to +2 seconda a day, aside from the pip on the 12:00 bezel triangle being misaligned there are no cosmetic isues, the bezel is aligned, the bezel has no slop, and it remains a good looking watch.
But I don't find myself wanting to wear it.
While this is not a "for sale" post (and I don't know if that is allowed on WatchCrunch anyway) I do think it's time this watch finds a new home where it will get the love and wrist time it deserves.
I don't regret buying it, as it was the catalyst for me loving watches and I learned a lot about what I like and don't like from it.
I'm sure others have similar stories with watches in every category. Feel free to share yours below.
I'm a musician and in the guitar amp biz. I do gear reviews on my own YT channel but I'm not here for that - this is my side hobby. That said, I know how the sausages are made both in production/manuf...
Sadly, I did. 😜
And I love your attitude on this point. No regrets because you clearly understand and appreciate the purpose this watch served for you. I have at least one in this category myself. Considerably easier when you don't have to spend a ton on a learning watch, IMO.
Have you tried it on a rubber strap yet? There are plenty of options out there, I'm sure you could find something that suits.
I started with larger watches but eventually gravitated to smaller light weight watches. Got a big wrist but prefer the 33 to 36mm watches for comfort.
Have you tried it on a rubber strap yet? There are plenty of options out there, I'm sure you could find something that suits.
Nah, needs a dark brown. Very briefly put it on a black strap and it just looked wrong. Not a lot of brown rubber options.
I started with larger watches but eventually gravitated to smaller light weight watches. Got a big wrist but prefer the 33 to 36mm watches for comfort.
For me the issue here is not diameter but height/weight.
Originally it came on a bracelet (mine has it) styled similar to a planet ocean bracelet, which may help with the balancing. I have seen third party ones similar on eBay. Their customer base pushed for the mesh, and I am not sure theirs is the best one for it — I got a WSC one from eBay that worked fine though. I would also recommend a proper NATO or ZULU strap, as they give more support than one with a fabric keeper. It’s possible you just prefer a looser fit that doesn’t play well with weight on a watch.
I have scratched and dinged mine, but never really had a problem with it — it is possible I don’t understand the ‘wears big’ etc thing, despite being fairly slender at the wrist. Fair review though. It does seem a pretty good watch to me too, and has loads of differences to the SMP which takes it out of clone territory.
Here’s mine on an FKM rubber that feels alright, as well as on the original bracelet for comparison (wrist shot included cos I am now thinking about how you say it seems big — I actually sometimes feel it could stand to be bigger lol.)
Edit: added a shot of it on a proper NATO, and here’s a link to a better Milanese for it
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403384811723
Final Edit Thought:
I also use curved spring bars on mine, same as Omega, when using a NATO. (Though sometimes also thicker straight bars, depending on mood. It really changes how the watch sits.)
In terms of weight the Pagani will feel 3 times as heavy compared to the Omega. The Omega is made out of titanium.
I know, but it weighs about the same as a regular SS Omega .
It sounds like a similar issue I have with my Hamilton. The long lug-to-lug and weight makes it difficult to wear sometimes, which I think I would have minded less if the watch looked more sporty. But there are times where I am fine with it and "bond" with it quite well.
It sounds like a similar issue I have with my Hamilton. The long lug-to-lug and weight makes it difficult to wear sometimes, which I think I would have minded less if the watch looked more sporty. But there are times where I am fine with it and "bond" with it quite well.
No offense but that looks too big for you. I have a pretty large wrist and I’m still careful of some of the Hamilton L2L distances.
No offense but that looks too big for you. I have a pretty large wrist and I’m still careful of some of the Hamilton L2L distances.
I know, to me it's borderline. That's another reason I am not 100% in love with the watch. I have watches with the same size (42mm) lug-to-lugs (52mm), so I know the watch "fits", but the proportions of the watch and the thickness makes it sometimes too big for me, other times look just fine.
I put mine on Marine National style band and it looks pretty good. The stitching matches the “lume” if you can call it that. Cheapest NATO straps has good prices.
We all start somewhere and learn. My current watch is 15mm smaller than my first two watches 🤪 I didn't keep them for long. I learned fast.
I got an excellent recommendation on WC for top heavy watches like my Willard ( top heavy for my skinny wrist ) . I put it on an Erika’s strap . It’s perfect 👍🏼
Great post @MrPsionic !
I hear you: heavy, thick and trouble getting a good strap would kill the love for me as well. The strap issues you mention I can totally relate with. A quality rubber band might do the trick, but it seems smarter to just move on.
I’d suggest gifting to another big waisted buddy, as selling a pagani probably means almost giving it away anyway. So may as well be to a friend.
Appreciate all that it taught you and move on to something new that you love 👌🍻
Great post @MrPsionic !
I hear you: heavy, thick and trouble getting a good strap would kill the love for me as well. The strap issues you mention I can totally relate with. A quality rubber band might do the trick, but it seems smarter to just move on.
I’d suggest gifting to another big waisted buddy, as selling a pagani probably means almost giving it away anyway. So may as well be to a friend.
Appreciate all that it taught you and move on to something new that you love 👌🍻
Thanks, but um, where did I say I was big waisted? ;)
Thanks, but um, where did I say I was big waisted? ;)
Fack! I got spellchecked into super rudeness - sorry my friend!
Word was ‘wrist - ed ‘ as in , one with large wrists. You might look like a Greek Adonis who of course has big ass wrists
Not in anyway a put down, my own wrists are too small and delicate. A large heavy steel watch would bust my bird like limbs 😂 🦜