PAM 986 is singing to me, should I?

[cbalster]

I tried on PAM 986 at the AD yesterday and wow what a dial. It's quite a piece but also quite the price for SS. Here are my thoughts:

-I have never owned a Panerai
-When I started working in 2006 after school, Panerai were all the rage. Of course at the time I could not afford one, but they've always held a special place with me.
-I currently own a RG JLC reverso triple calendar moonphase, a Black Bay Fifty Eight, and a Seiko 5.
-I like complications and PAM 986 has the ones I want, including a 10 day power reserve. The linear power reserve is super cool to me.

My questions are:

-MSRP of $14,400. Can a discount be had and how much would be a good deal, fully recognizing the AD has to keep the lights on and pay the rent?
-I read a lot about PAM 689 on the forums. This is quite similar? Am I mistaken? Should I be holding out to find a PAM 689 instead?
-Anything else the paneristi would like to add, please do!

[thsiao]

You should be able to obtain some discount, even from a Panerai Boutique. Actual discount would depend on many factors but I wouldn't pay full retail on a Panerai unless it is a limited edition or a hard to obtain model.

The 689 has gold hands. Not sure if there are any other differences compared to the 986.

The blue dial is beautiful and the linear power reserve is also very cool. I have a 233 and I looooooove the linear power reserve. Not to mention that a 10-day power reserve is awesome too!