What's the Panerai appeal?

[hflee55]

i like the designs...own a PAM Submersible. Panerai also has a rich history on their watches.

[DanP]

Imo they look like 10$ watches you see at the mall. I Dont like the dials or the 'trendy big watches' just my $.02

[dman]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

Do a little more research before comments like this one.

I know John, but not worth it bro, LOL! I would almost say ignor.....nah, nevermind.

[WatchTimes]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

They do not appear to have a claim to fame outside of the Rocky connection. No particular history comparable to Rolex or Omega. Seems to primarily a fashion statement type of watch. Kind of like an expensive Fossil?

Ummm excuse me???
Please, do your homework before you make a bold statement like that
No history? They were almost open 1/2 a century before Rolex.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Rolex watches, have yet to buy I pan... I will but there are a few more easily obtainable Rolexs I want first. Once I get those I will get a few other watches in the 10G range, after that I will get my Platinum or WG DD but thats quite a few years down the road since I can never seem to sell anything I own...

"Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence by Giovanni Panerai (1825–1897). It later became the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy and expanded to building precision instruments. The company is famous for its Radiomir and Luminor watches, notable for their use by Italian commando frogmen.

The Florence-based watchmaker produced wrist worn diving instruments and about 300 watches, all for the Italian Marina Militare, between 1938 and 1993. By that time, the company ceased to provide watches to the Marina Militare, as they were no longer cost-effective nor did they meet the naval specifications. It then moved to launch its products to the civilian market, but remained relatively obscure until the actor Sylvester Stallone spotted and bought a Panerai Luminor in a jewelry store in Rome in 1995 to wear during shooting of the film Daylight. Stallone ordered a small batch of such watches with his signature on the case back, called Slytech. He offered them as gifts to friends, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The watch gained rapid popularity, and Officine Panerai was eventually taken over by Richemont in 1997.

Panerai's success with large watches has also led other companies to introduce larger watches, including Audemars Piguet, IWC and Swatch.

Panerai has four major lines of watches, Historic, Contemporary, Manifattura and Special Editions. Panerai issues Special Editions every year. In 2006 it issued the 1936 California Dial Radiomir special edition, a reissue of the first Panerai model ever presented to the Italian Marina Militare. This model was limited to a run of 1936 units.

Aficionados of Panerai are known as "Paneristi", a term coined along the lines of "Ferraristi".

When the contract between Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari expired a new partnership was signed with Panerai to develop, manufacture and distribute watches under the Ferrari trademark. A New York representative for the watch company has called Panerai the official timekeeper to Ferrari. These wristwatches, available in the US from early August 2006, have 11 models and cost between $5,300 and $26,500. Panerai Ferrari watches are divided into two collections: Granturismo and Scuderia.

Panerai watches are amongst the most scarce in the world. In fact, the watch manufacturer can lay claim to being the most elusive watch brand globally - regularly producing fewer watches than the market demands. Mike Miller of McAllen, Texas is reported to have singlehandedly promoted Panerai to all Mexican Nationals thereby creating a spike in sales to Mexican customers. (SocialMex Magazine, July, 2008). Retailers only receive a few pieces each per year and it is not uncommon for long customer waiting lists for popular models."

[Lamone]

I love them and think that Panerai is a nice upgrade from Rolex.

[C. Davidson]

What I like about Panerai:

• Large case size, 44mm+
• Exhibition backs (111/112)
• Unique crown guard
• Art Deco case design (Luminor)

For some brands, you need to be close enough to read the dial to see who made the watch. You can spot a Panerai from across the room.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by JYogi

Ummm excuse me???
Please, do your homework before you make a bold statement like that
No history? They were almost open 1/2 a century before Rolex.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Rolex watches, have yet to buy I pan... I will but there are a few more easily obtainable Rolexs I want first. Once I get those I will get a few other watches in the 10G range, after that I will get my Platinum or WG DD but thats quite a few years down the road since I can never seem to sell anything I own...

"Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence by Giovanni Panerai (1825–1897). It later became the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy and expanded to building precision instruments. The company is famous for its Radiomir and Luminor watches, notable for their use by Italian commando frogmen.

The Florence-based watchmaker produced wrist worn diving instruments and about 300 watches, all for the Italian Marina Militare, between 1938 and 1993. By that time, the company ceased to provide watches to the Marina Militare, as they were no longer cost-effective nor did they meet the naval specifications. It then moved to launch its products to the civilian market, but remained relatively obscure until the actor Sylvester Stallone spotted and bought a Panerai Luminor in a jewelry store in Rome in 1995 to wear during shooting of the film Daylight. Stallone ordered a small batch of such watches with his signature on the case back, called Slytech. He offered them as gifts to friends, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The watch gained rapid popularity, and Officine Panerai was eventually taken over by Richemont in 1997.

Panerai's success with large watches has also led other companies to introduce larger watches, including Audemars Piguet, IWC and Swatch.

Panerai has four major lines of watches, Historic, Contemporary, Manifattura and Special Editions. Panerai issues Special Editions every year. In 2006 it issued the 1936 California Dial Radiomir special edition, a reissue of the first Panerai model ever presented to the Italian Marina Militare. This model was limited to a run of 1936 units.

Aficionados of Panerai are known as "Paneristi", a term coined along the lines of "Ferraristi".

When the contract between Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari expired a new partnership was signed with Panerai to develop, manufacture and distribute watches under the Ferrari trademark. A New York representative for the watch company has called Panerai the official timekeeper to Ferrari. These wristwatches, available in the US from early August 2006, have 11 models and cost between $5,300 and $26,500. Panerai Ferrari watches are divided into two collections: Granturismo and Scuderia.

Panerai watches are amongst the most scarce in the world. In fact, the watch manufacturer can lay claim to being the most elusive watch brand globally - regularly producing fewer watches than the market demands. Mike Miller of McAllen, Texas is reported to have singlehandedly promoted Panerai to all Mexican Nationals thereby creating a spike in sales to Mexican customers. (SocialMex Magazine, July, 2008). Retailers only receive a few pieces each per year and it is not uncommon for long customer waiting lists for popular models."

Great information! My compliments!!!

[cwru32]

no offence to anyone but those watches scream g*y to me! perfectly fits that lifestyle tho..

[JJ Irani]

Tried one on once.....didn't like it too much!!

[SS Oyster]

Very trendy of late, but they've been around for quite a while and very appealing to most that try them. They are definitely not for those with small wrists.

Most come with rubber straps, but they do have very nice and ingenious bracelets.

I've been to many Panerai ADs including the main US dealer in Beverly Hills.

What's appealing about them? (Size, ruggedness, sportiness, resale value, lume, come with very nice and large box, BH AD willing to give extra alligator strap, very helpful ADs, terrific caseback engravings and some with saphire crystal casebacks, unique look, anti-glare crystal coatings)

What's not so great about them? (Expensive bracelets, cost, non-manufacture movements until just recently, no options - you either like sporty or you don't get a Panerai, huge looking on most men, not suitable with dress wear, lack of history)

I will eventually purchase one for my eventual collection, but not ahead of the other Rolex watches I want and Blancpain FF chrono (my next watch purchase).

[gmtobsessed]

I love the simple design, but only for simple historic radiomir
not big fan of luminor

[daveathall]

Beautiful watches have had two, a PAM 24 and 25, will have one again but not at the expense of my SD.

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by gmtobsessed

I love the simple design, but only for simple historic radiomir
not big fan of luminor

Try first Bro....Try first!!!

[Vito_Corleone]

They look awesome.

[brainbizz]

Everybody has an opinion which is fine with me. Keep telling yourselves that they are a POS with no history if that makes you feel better. I will keep buying them regardless.

[Defiancekofb]

Wow big surprise, alot of PAM haters on a Rolex forum......... Like other PAM enthusiasts such as myself have stated I wear my PAM for myself, I don't give a crock if the individual across the room, will recognize my watch or not. I also like the overall design because it fits in my age demographic, dare I say, the luminor has a wacky cartoon dial appeal. (Which I love!) If you wanted to go into promotion, Rolex is only Rolex because it was present in many of the early Bond movies, they then capitalized on the Bond PR with their own marketing blitz throughout the world. (For the person who says PAMs are only famous because of a movie star.)

[Defiancekofb]

Originally Posted by brainbizz

everybody has an opinion which is fine with me. Keep telling yourselves that they are a pos with no history if that makes you feel better. I will keep buying them regardless.

+1

[arielc]

i have a few rolex watches and 1 panerai. i think the panerai is got its
own character. it is not as common seen as a rolex, and it is getting
it fame and popularity around.

[jamesh]

I think the misunderstanding comes from the fact that Panerai have not been "well known" for as long as Rolex - but as anyone who has done a bit of research knows, Panerai does have the heritage and pedigree.

So, I think it's not so much an question of whether it's a good brand or - but rather a question of personal taste. And for me, I love Panerai for their heritage and simple, unique design. I also love my Rolex for different reasons.

[VazLube]

Originally Posted by brainbizz

Everybody has an opinion which is fine with me. Keep telling yourselves that they are a POS with no history if that makes you feel better. I will keep buying them regardless.

++

I get the impression that some people get frustrated with retail prices and scarcity of them. Panerais are often not the watches you walk in and buy pronto, as in instant gratification. Those people then go on and thrash Panerai to make themselves feel better for not owning one.

That being said, I love them, it was love as first sight. Likewise I'm getting more Panerais regadless.

[GBJIV]

Out of all of my watches - And I am fortunate to have some stunners from Rolex that I love.... I receive the most compliments on my PAM than any other.

[sycomsimon]

Mine with the black/yellow alligator strap digs into my wrist, it´s the metal clasp from the catch.

Is the rubber strap a better option ?

[eric23]

Originally Posted by sycomsimon

Mine with the black/yellow alligator strap digs into my wrist, it´s the metal clasp from the catch.

Is the rubber strap a better option ?

Do you have the deployment or a buckle on the strap?

[wowie74]

Originally Posted by Lamone

I love them and think that Panerai is a nice upgrade from Rolex.

+1

[MrTito]

The comparison with Rolex is largely irrelevant, like comparing Ferrari with Porsche. You go for what sings your specific tune. I love oversized watches whether its a DSSD, PAM, Aquatimer etc etc - I like what I like and I don't need another person to legitimise that. Always nice if someone notices and compliments, but frankly I wear the watch, the watch doesn't where me.

[ocwatching]

This thread was from 2008?!?

[B. Doggy]

Old school thread!!!

[Kevin.S]

Like stepping back in "Time" :)

I love all watches,,(Nice ones)

[h999r]

Originally Posted by MrTito

The comparison with Rolex is largely irrelevant, like comparing Ferrari with Porsche. You go for what sings your specific tune. I love oversized watches whether its a DSSD, PAM, Aquatimer etc etc - I like what I like and I don't need another person to legitimise that. Always nice if someone notices and compliments, but frankly I wear the watch, the watch doesn't where me.

so which one is Ferrari, which one is Porsche though .. Pan and Rolex are equallly the same , correct me if Im wrong.

[eric23]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

Old school thread!!!

I like the photo of JJ with the PAM!