$695 Watch with a few thousand $ movement

[2005rivers]

Ok, I am fairly new to the forum. this forum opened my eyes to the awsome Panerai. I had my heart set on one. I started a thread to find out more about, and was greatly informed of the historic manual wind ETA 6497 movement. Hey that's great, I like historical correctness.

Now, I am thumbing through an old watch magazine, and what do I find? A $695 Avier with an ETA 6497 movement. How is it even possible for Panerai's to cost so much (I am truly sorry for asking this because I hear it all the time for Rolex)?

Like I said I am fairly new to the watch world, So you might understand my shock when I came across this. Also, I do understand spending thousands of dollars on a watch, it's not that. I am not trying to start anything, maybe this is a known aspect of the watch and I am just now finding out, Maybe there are things I am not considering when it comes to value. I understand the value of prestige, but come on.

Please keep it friendly, I am sure many of you are grinding your teeth, I am just looking for an explination,

http://www.avierwatch.com/Classic-Hand-Wind

[DSJ]

It's that ephemeral feeling/quality. That's pretty much it.

[Psmith]

Ah, but it's not just a 6497 (which is itself available in a large number of grades and finishes). This is, to quote Eddie, a Panerai 'blueprinted engine' ...


"hand-wound mechanical, Panerai OP XI calibre with swan's neck regulator, 16½ lignes, 17 jewels, Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges. Glucydur® balance with Nivarox® I spring, 21,600 alternations/hour.
Incabloc® anti-shock device.
Power reserve 56 hours.
Chronometer Certificate (C.O.S.C.)."



I am aware of several owners reporting +/- 1 sec accuracy.



Cheers

[A1000]

There are many thinks that drive the price and if you had both watches in your hand you'd probably feel and see the difference immediately. They are aimed at different markets and therefore both are probably good watches, however, you can't compare apples with pears.

As Clive says the PAM movement is a ETA6497 base but is heavily modded to a PAM specification and quality. This usually means replacing many parts with higher quality parts.

There is an element of the price of a PAM that can only be attributed to reputation or good will and that is something that they have built up over many years. This also means that there is a robust secondary market for PAMs as with other quality watches so the day after you buy a PAM it is probably worth somewhere near what you paid for it, whereas with watches from less known brands at the lower end of the market they are probably of limited re-sale value.

Horses for courses though.

[Trurolexer]

PANERAI, So Much More Than a Watch.

[AWATCH]

The value of something is what people are willing to pay. We are willing to pay for luxury.
In economics, a luxury good is a good for which demand increases more than proportionally as income rises, in contrast to a "necessity good", for which demand is not related to income.

[Welshwatchman]

The Aviar costs $695 yet the basic 6497-1 costs just $99 when purchased in units over 100.

Plenty of profit for Aviar as well.

Panerai do add the swan neck regulator, blue screws and further cosmetic refinements, costing a lot more than the basic cost of the base movement itself.

A 3135 movement probably costs Rolex to produce as the 6497 costs Panerai to purchase and finish.

Yup, watches are horrendously overpriced but let's just push that though to the back of our minds.

[REXMTL]

Well put!

[ersnyder]

I think the "limited edition" factor plays into the price somewhat too. Not as many pieces to recoup your R&D expenses from.

[B. Doggy]

It's a Panerai. Absolutely NOTHING on the market like it...or would compare to one.

[2005rivers]

ok ok, I was a little worked up when I saw that watch for 695, It made me question even wanting a Panerai. thank you for your input, I'm back on track.

[Psmith]

Bit of a tangent, but if you want to see what can be done with 6497/8 movements, have a look here...

http://www.tourbywatches.com/shop/page/5?shop_param=





Cheers

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

PANERAI, So Much More Than a Watch.

Absolutely !!

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by 2005rivers

ok ok, I was a little worked up when I saw that watch for 695, It made me question even wanting a Panerai. thank you for your input, I'm back on track.

Once the Panerai seed is planted,there is no turning back. Welcome to our world.....its just a question of when !!

[USCpaneristi]

Here's a trend that you may notice that's very telling. When newbies get their first Panerai and post on various forums about their new watch, you'll notice one thing with Panerais: the new owner will inevitably say "my FIRST Panerai." Like TR said, SO much more than a watch!

Once you pop... you can't stop :-)