What Rolex owners think of Panerai?

[Matty]

No offence to all PAM owners out there, but imho PAMs r like the "Swatch" watches if u all noe wat i mean, except for the pseudo wannabe branded image they r trying (ahem...very hard) to market to the masses?

[dragonforce]

PAM watches are generally too big for my wrist, not really to my liking. But i won't rule out the possibility of purchasing 1 in the future if i ever have enough budget for 1.

But my boss loves his PAM, much more than his rolex. he condemned his rolex (passed down sub from his relative) cause he was quoted $600 for servicing/repair.

[dennistwc]

Tell him.. Pam service cost is on par to Rolex.. Thn he ll start condemn Pam..
I own 2 Rolexes and 2 pams...but quite upset on the 318 incident.. And also due to so many variation so I stop buying Pam and divert into other brands

[Mezz72]

Used to like PAM too but it's becoming just a fashion thing like wat the bros here mentioned.
Personal opinion.

[skydweller_sg]

wonder what's Panerai's response to the undecorated ETA movements used on the 150pc PAM 318 NYC boutique LE

[ecneret_eel]

there is no point in anything other then a rolex, first.
i feel subsequent watches, get whatever you want, but people should always begin and end with rolex.

[caleb]

wonder what's Panerai's response to the undecorated ETA movements used on the 150pc PAM 318 NYC boutique LE

Didn't Panerai offer 318 owners a replacement movement? Although customers will have to foot all shipping and handling fees..

[S2000]

If this thread is posted in a Panerai forum, the Panerai will get more votes and vice versa

i am on neither side, i like both brands, for each has its own unique iconic design that is classic and timeless
both are characterized by maturity and an enduring appeal
notice that most rolex and panerai new models do not deviate too far from its vintage

that being said, i used to shun away from panerai because they were largely using ETA movement as their base calibers
even though Panerai modify and decorate these as 'OP' movements, they are still hybrids

in recent years, with the introduction of their very own inhouse P2,P9,P3 movements, i begin to take an interest in the brand
especially with the 1950 case and sandwich dial - the bold and masculine Luminor design first introduced in the 50s still looks modern and conventional. A unique feature about Panerai is its ability to appear dressy and casual via strap changes - put a black gator strap with white stitch for the dressy look; swap this with a tan ammo strap and you instantly transform it into a rugged looking watch

the inhouse movements, though not COSC certified, are very accurate
i am not sure about the horror stories reported so far, but my 320 which houses the P9001 cal, still keeps time well within COSC requirements (running +2seconds per day)
more importantly, the inhouse movement is featured-packed with interesting complications: quick second reset, 3days power reserve, dual GMT time and power reserve indicator, not forgetting it is water-resistant to 300m, making this a diving watch as well

i hope Panerai can one day replace all the OP cal with their own inhouse movement - just like rolex replaced Zenith with its own chronograph movement for the daytona. it may be risky, but the efforts will pay off in the long term. afterall, only true watch makers who design and produce its own inhouse movement could be taken seriously, rather than just any haute-hologerie-wannabe

Very well said. Cleared up the air in this discussion
I respect everyone's value judgements on Pam, however, based on the comments so far, some may have been overly harsh/misunderstood the brand. Perhaps it might be due to the exponential increase in the branding/commercialisation/celebrity endorsements of Pam which has somewhat resulted in such sentiments. IMO, if one were to give Pam a chance, digging deep into its history and origins, metaphorically speaking, it was indeed Rolex's 'brother'. Ill follow up this post with an interesting and comprehensive article of the history of Pam.

[dragonforce]

Tell him.. Pam service cost is on par to Rolex.. Thn he ll start condemn Pam..
I own 2 Rolexes and 2 pams...but quite upset on the 318 incident.. And also due to so many variation so I stop buying Pam and divert into other brands

well, i think he have not even sent his PAM for servicing yet. he said it is still keeping good time.. probably he have no intention of sending his PAM for servicing? haha.

i guess it all boils down to personal choices.

[S2000]

To all the Paneristi and Rolex lovers, here's my follow up...Enjoy this great piece of history.

http://rolexblog.blogspot.sg/2009/07...-of-rolex.html

[Ah Dar]

Very well said. Cleared up the air in this discussion
I respect everyone's value judgements on Pam, however, based on the comments so far, some may have been overly harsh/misunderstood the brand. Perhaps it might be due to the exponential increase in the branding/commercialisation/celebrity endorsements of Pam which has somewhat resulted in such sentiments. IMO, if one were to give Pam a chance, digging deep into its history and origins, metaphorically speaking, it was indeed Rolex's 'brother'. Ill follow up this post with an interesting and comprehensive article of the history of Pam.

With the "branding/commercialisation/celebrity endorsements of Pam which has somewhat resulted in such sentiments", i felt is like those FM watches which make a big hit on the market in the 1990 ~ 2000 years with high pricing.. then now the values of most FM is going down the drain...

[thejunkielimbo]

To all the Paneristi and Rolex lovers, here's my follow up...Enjoy this great piece of history.

Amazing write-up bro, thanks for sharing!!

In fact, there's a very old Pam with a Rolex movement that is extremely collectible.. prized piece!

[Helmsley]

I love both Pam and Rolex, though I started off with Pam first. My initial qualm with Rolex is that it is too recognizable.

[skydweller_sg]

Rolex own almost 20% of the world watch market
Statistically, one out of every 5person anywhere in the world wearing a watch on the wrist is wearing a rolex
Panerai doesnt own even 1% of the cake

I love both Pam and Rolex, though I started off with Pam first. My initial qualm with Rolex is that it is too recognizable.

[Helmsley]

Rolex own almost 20% of the world watch market
Statistically, one out of every 5person anywhere in the world wearing a watch on the wrist is wearing a rolex
Panerai doesnt own even 1% of the cake

Precisely my point. A rolex is too common