We take trades against any of our watches!!! We also buy watch package.
Review:
For the uninitiated, here’s a little story about the brand and the watch. Mario Paci, as most should be aware, is more well known for his straps than for watches. He’s one of the more prominent after market makers of Panerai straps. His straps are also standard issue on Ennebi timepieces. I had the privilege of speaking with Alessandro Bettarini of Ennebi a week later and he informed me that Mario Paci, the AD in Florence where I bought this watch and Alessandro himself, were previously colleagues in Panerai until Richemont decided to uproot and relocate this Florentine icon to Neuchatel. Thus, it is no surprise that the Mario Paci SMZ, which stands for sommozatore (Italian for Scuba Diver), are made by Ennebi. This is not a very common watch. I’ve not seen any dangling on anyone’s wrist here in my corner of the globe. That’s why I knew I had to have it.
Aesthetically, there are prominent traces of Panerai Luminor. For starters, the crown guard seems to share the same DNA , except for the locking mechanism. The dial boasts a mix of stick and Arabic (12, 4, 8) markers. Everything is well spaced out and easily legible at a quick glance. This uncluttered layout won some precious brownie points from me. The seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock is a dead giveaway about the engine deployed under the hood. Yes, no prizes for guessing. It’s a Swiss ETA UNITAS 6497.
From the side, the Panerai Luminor DNA is starkly prominent. It is actually more reminiscent of the Luminor case than any Ennebi I own or can think of. Look at your own Luminor from the side and the front and you’re catch my drift. The crown lock knob is Etched with the model name “SMZ” but is not PVD-ed on the outside. It is roughly finished in a nicely utilitarian manner. The lugs are angled sharply with the lug screws positioned close to the outer ends of the lugs. This should wrap around smaller wrists comfortably.
The crown guard is released by turning the knob clockwise. It leaves a gap just enough to pull the crown out for time setting. However, I always feel a vibration when setting the time, I suspect that it is due to a slight contact between the crown and the crown guard on the bottom end. To lock the crown guard in place, one needs to turn it anti-clockwise.
The lume is no slouch. Coming from folks involved with Panerai’s previous projects, I would not expect anything less, actually.
The large locking mechanism actually adds a macho feel to the overall aesthetics. Furthermore, its rarity and uncommon sightings makes it an even more precious catch for me. But that’s just me. And no, these are not words of self-consolation.
What a VERY RARE Find!! Italian Armed Forces “SEMPRE E PER SEMPRE” – Translation: Always & Forever – Very Rare Mario Paci Prototype – Awesome Dirty Brown/Black Dial! Awesome Lume! Not another available for sale anywhere!! Before this Beauty made it’s way into my personal collection, All the way from The Netherlands comes this highly sought after Collectible!…Prototype P03 – The Mario Paci SMZ were originally released in 2012.
BRAND: Mario Paci by Ennebi
MODEL: SMZ Prototype Edition #P03
MOVEMENT: Manual Wind – Swiss
CASE: Stainless Steel
CROWN: Screw-Down Crown locking system
SIZE: 46mm
LUGS: 24mm
DIAL: Dark “Dirty” Brown Dial
BEZEL: Non-rotating
CONDITION: pre-owned – Very Good!!
BOXES/PAPERS: Watch with Panerai Inner Pearwood Box, Screwdriver, Strap, etc – Everything in pictures!
WATER RESISTANCE: – 1000m
STRAP/BRACELET: – 2 – Mario Paci Brown/Tan Sharkskin leather strap with MP Buckle & Currently on an Additional Incredible Dr. Phil Handmade Custom Blue leather strap with Steel buckle.
Let us know what you have in your collection!! I consider all watches in trade! Please upload pictures and include details of your trades through my Trade/Buy tab at the top of my homepage.
