are panerai's as good quality as rolex?

[mlotus95]

hello,
i am wondering if panerai (in particular the automatics) are as good of quality as rolex and as reliable? i have really been taken in by this brand lately and want to know more about them.

[Andad]

Rolex have Rolex movements.
Panerai have allsorts.
Which Pam did you have in mind?

[mlotus95]

the one i am after is the pam 104. thanks, todd

[kilyung]

In short, no but who cares if you like it?

[bicismith]

my 104 was quite accurate losing a few seconds a day, but it was older and looked every bit as well made as any rolex I've seen.

my current 380n keeps perfect time to the second and is also very well made.

[Cru Jones]

the 104 features the "OP III" movement, which is a modified ETA (Valjoux 7750). the Valjoux 7750 is a classic workhorse movement that's reliable and robust, so, no worries there. also, even though PAM has modified it, the Valjoux 7750 can be easily serviced by watchmakers, meaning, if you want, you can get it serviced for much less than an in-house.

read up on the Valjoux 7750 and its "wobble", though. it's a love-hate thing, IMO. i happen to like it....

[watchdaddy1]

I believe so -but I'm partial to Panerai. I own 2 Rollies & IMO the accuracy on both brands is all good, but OP has more designs to choose from.
C'mon what you waiting for come over to the dark side..

[B. Doggy]

Apples & oranges

[nc42acc]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

the 104 features the "OP III" movement, which is a modified ETA (Valjoux 7750). the Valjoux 7750 is a classic workhorse movement that's reliable and robust, so, no worries there. also, even though PAM has modified it, the Valjoux 7750 can be easily serviced by watchmakers, meaning, if you want, you can get it serviced for much less than an in-house.

read up on the Valjoux 7750 and its "wobble", though. it's a love-hate thing, IMO. i happen to like it....

Yeah when I wear one of my Panerai and the 7750 wobble kicks in my left hand shakes so bad people think I am afflicted.

[subtona]

the quality is great, to not so great..... have read more than a few posts with problems with in-house movements...in fairness, they haven't been making movements for that long and like many swiss watchmakers, have had to start supplying their own movements wether they were ready or not, due to ETA cutting back sales outside of the swatch group.

the price is where the question comes in?
many of panerai watches call themselves limited editions with very sharp price increases, imho i wouldn't consider them a good value.

[CoachRolexRyan]

Rolex is the standard. Panerai will always be a notch below, but they still hold their own with Rolex or any other watch brand for that matter. It's a classic in it's own right. I absolutely love mine!! Its an original and copies no one. Even Rolex came out with the larger Deep Sea just to compete with Panerai's size.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by CoachRolexRyan

..... Even Rolex came out with the larger Deep Sea just to compete with Panerai's size.

big x2 for this.... no easy feat to make rolex adjust their roster, panerai gets kudos here.

[singe89]

Panerai and Rolex are my two most worn brands and overall I would consider their quality to be about equal. Sure Panerai has some base models with refined ETA/Unitas movements but they also have higher end models with JLC based 8 day movments as well as their own in house ones. Ther new p9000 in house movements dont have the long track record of the 3135 but they have shown good reliablity so far and mine have been more accurate than my 3135/3136 Rolex watches. Overall I would consider their construction, refinement, and durability to be about equal and wouldnt hesitate buying a Panerai or Rolex.

The added bonus of Panerai is the HUGE aftermarket following. Collecting straps is an addiction all in its own. The ability to completely change the look of the watch by going from bracelet, to leather to croc to rubber in less than a minute or two really makes my Pam 328 one of my favorite watches.

[mlotus95]

i am leaning towards the 104. but for some reason i just have a bad feeling about it. i will just keep asking more questions and doing more reseasrch.

[Avs Fan]

Erase your bad feeling :)

The 104 is a great watch. It is an automatic contemporary design, as opposed to the two I have, which are hand-wind historics.

I prefer the historics, but if I were to venture over to the contemporary side, the 104 would be right there. I've always liked the 104 dial layout.

greg in denver

[nc42acc]

The 104 is an excellent choice for a first Panerai. It was my first and regret selling it. Look for a newer series with the quick change strap system. Buying and changing straps is where the adventure begins.


Yes i think Panerai is equal in quality to Rolex and as reliable.

[TswaneNguni]

No,from personal experience with several models from both brands .

[mlotus95]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

No,from personal experience with several models from both brands .

i would be interested in hearing some specific reasons from your expirience. especially since you've owned both brands.

[subtona]

i have a radiomir 210... its awesome lots of unique to panerai features that make it a nice compliment to modern rolex... matte finish sandwich dial, very unique case, innovative and 1 of kind strap system.

although it is a wind up.... i couldn't be more satisfied with it, with the exception of finding a suitable rubber strap, so i can get it wet.

ps im not a fan of the automatics as they are too bulky for my liking.

[Fiddy]

Originally Posted by kilyung

in short, no but who cares if you like it?

+1

[rockmastermike]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

the 104 features the "OP III" movement, which is a modified ETA (Valjoux 7750). the Valjoux 7750 is a classic workhorse movement that's reliable and robust, so, no worries there. also, even though PAM has modified it, the Valjoux 7750 can be easily serviced by watchmakers, meaning, if you want, you can get it serviced for much less than an in-house.

read up on the Valjoux 7750 and its "wobble", though. it's a love-hate thing, IMO. i happen to like it....

The Wobble is Cool

[bicismith]

Originally Posted by subtona

i have a radiomir 210... its awesome lots of unique to panerai features that make it a nice compliment to modern rolex... matte finish sandwich dial, very unique case, innovative and 1 of kind strap system.

although it is a wind up.... i couldn't be more satisfied with it, with the exception of finding a suitable rubber strap, so i can get it wet.

ps im not a fan of the automatics as they are too bulky for my liking.

totally agree. I sold my 104 because I found it uncomfortable to wear. it's very top heavy and the deployant tended to dig into my wrist even though I prefer to wear watches loose. tightening did not change this.

the radiomir is far more comfortable and lighter, and I don't know if the historic luminors are similar.

the manual wind is simple and easy to use. the reserve is nearly 60 hours so it's really not an issue. I just wind it every other day when I put it on.

[Chaos]

I have the 104 and love it. I have several Rolexes, including sub's ( both vintages and moderns), GMT's, Yatchmaster, DeepSea.

I honestly think Rolex quality is far superior compared to Panerai. If you had a watch nearly 50 years old and still beating like a champ you'd understand.

Panerai wins on design side.

Although I've paid more on my 104 than it would cost a ceramic sub at that time, the value hold by such sub is far better than the 104 nowadays. It means to me that perception to big public is that Rolex has higher inner value, it's well known and stands for high watch level - instantly recognizable as luxury watch to most of people.

Panerai is still on smaller circle and for most people, it's chunky watch. Nevertheless, these smaller circle is quite fanatic about them.

What is interesting is IMHO there is no room for big quantities when it comes to Panerai world -- most of panerai fans think 3,000/year of 104 was too much production ( I guess the maximum production was 6,500 in one year) . Imagine if 104 was procuced in quantities close to Submariners -- I guess its price would be quite low on secondary market.

If you were not interested on resell value, then you'd enjoy it!

I'd buy the 104 again if time would rewind back, JFYI.

best luck

[joleel7]

Rolex watches are solid! Pam is something different strap chaning can be fun.

[leeye]

there is more "fun" factor with Panerai watches (meaning you get more involved with the watch itself), you can easily change straps to match different occassions. with Rolex watches options are limited.

both Rolex and Panerai are good.

[gigantor]

IMHO, panerai is as equally good as rolex but as leeya had mention, panerai has the fun factor of changing strap and panerai is very casual looking which is good for daily wear.
For panerai, I prefer the non cyclop. PAM312 or 351 will be a good choice

[HarryGoodman]

I have a Panerai 9B as a daily beater and it keeps extremly accurate time (I estimate it loses 1 or 2 seconds a day) considering it was made in 1999.

[HarryGoodman]

Originally Posted by mlotus95

the one i am after is the pam 104. thanks, todd

Todd, if you are really after a 104, go to P.com and look for a well kept, lightly used one for a good 20% to 25% discount off the price of a new one and I beleive you will be extremely happy in the long run.

[bicismith]

Originally Posted by Chaos

I have the 104 and love it. I have several Rolexes, including sub's ( both vintages and moderns), GMT's, Yatchmaster, DeepSea.

I honestly think Rolex quality is far superior compared to Panerai. If you had a watch nearly 50 years old and still beating like a champ you'd understand.

Panerai wins on design side.

Although I've paid more on my 104 than it would cost a ceramic sub at that time, the value hold by such sub is far better than the 104 nowadays. It means to me that perception to big public is that Rolex has higher inner value, it's well known and stands for high watch level - instantly recognizable as luxury watch to most of people.

Panerai is still on smaller circle and for most people, it's chunky watch. Nevertheless, these smaller circle is quite fanatic about them.

What is interesting is IMHO there is no room for big quantities when it comes to Panerai world -- most of panerai fans think 3,000/year of 104 was too much production ( I guess the maximum production was 6,500 in one year) . Imagine if 104 was procuced in quantities close to Submariners -- I guess its price would be quite low on secondary market.

If you were not interested on resell value, then you'd enjoy it!

I'd buy the 104 again if time would rewind back, JFYI.

best luck

fwiw, the 104 is far less desirable than the base manual wind models. they hold their value much better.

[Rolex Junky]

Originally Posted by bicismith

fwiw, the 104 is far less desirable than the base manual wind models. they hold their value much better.

Indeed they do.