Panerai Mind Boggle

[Ballzzz]

I would like to acquire a Panerai sometime this year. I am having a few holdups and wanted everyone’s opinion. Below I will list what I know/want.

- I love the open case back ala 112
- I love the icon logo ala 000
- I think I prefer the old ETA movement over the new in-house but not 100% on this fact
- I do not want any date / power reserve etc basically a base color doesn’t matter technically just a simple face is the criteria
- I believe the “older” models have a screw down back over a newer design

My biggest problem is the simple fact if I can get a new 8 day in house movement with an msrp of 6k for 4-4500 vs a used 112 for 3800-4400 do I see the value in the more preferred dial(not reading 8 days), and easier eta movement for years to come? Or just go with a brand new piece due to the close proximity in price.

I also am not knowledgeable on the difference of series, if anyone can shed some light for me?

I know I have a lot of criteria and some are impossible and others are preference so any insight you guys have I would appreciate.

Thanks

[mfer]

Just slow down and enjoy the research. I love my eta movement 111. I’d tell you to go that way but others life the in-house. Figure out what you want and go for it. Enjoy the ride. I love he eta for simple reliability and modest service costs. Also I think Panerai decorated the eta movements very well. They are more pleasing then the in house to me.

[sholzer]

^ +1 to the above

I was close to pulling the trigger on a 000 or a new 560 even though I really wanted a 112, but decided to hold off for the right one to pop up. Sure enough, a few days later I was able to snag a 112 with everything for a good price that I am very happy with.

For me, the 112 with the ETA based movement was cheaper, more visually appealing (subjective), and easier/cheaper to maintain.

[fullcourt]

mfer is right....take your time and check them all out, then you can make a more 'informed' decision.

i have eta and in-house mvmts, love them both but for different reasons.

good luck on your quest

[rootbeer7]

I did something a little different. I worked on case size first as the differences in how they wear are quite dramatic. Eventually, I settled on 44mm manual Luminor as case is flatter and felt more comfortable and less top-heavy than the automatic ones. After that, I decided on the details. Good luck.

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by mfer

Just slow down and enjoy the research. I love my eta movement 111. I’d tell you to go that way but others life the in-house. Figure out what you want and go for it. Enjoy the ride. I love he eta for simple reliability and modest service costs. Also I think Panerai decorated the eta movements very well. They are more pleasing then the in house to me.

I agree 100% and are all the reasons why I’m leaning toward the eta.

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by fullcourt

mfer is right....take your time and check them all out, then you can make a more 'informed' decision.

i have eta and in-house mvmts, love them both but for different reasons.

good luck on your quest

What are your personal likes/dislikes with both movements?

[fullcourt]

Originally Posted by Ballzzz

What are your personal likes/dislikes with both movements?

it's more about the pieces they're in....the eta mvmts are in the 232/249/634 and the p3000 are in the 372/721, oh and the p9000 is in the 328.

don't dislike any of them, the eta is easier to service, the in-house mvmts need to go back to panerai, if that's a consideration.

[DCheeta]

Reading your initial post, it sounds like the only reason you would consider the newer 8-day model is because the price is close to that of the models that you really want.

When buying watches don't let price be a consideration, just go for the watch that you really want (as long as you can afford it, obviously). You will have the watch that you love on your wrist every day, and that will make you far happier than the knowledge that you got a watch similar to the one you wanted because of a (in this case) tiny price difference.

[DCheeta]

Oh, and... I chose the 000 as my only Panerai for the same reasons that you're considering those ETA base models - love the simplicity of the dial, the logo, and the movement that I know can be easily serviced by any watchmaker and is reliable as hell.

[pdnb]

i have had 3 panerai and they all have been 8 days and they all have had power reserve indicators. it's a complication I really appreciate. I like the fact that in house movements cannot be faked/replicated well (atleast yet). you can't argue with the fact that service will be cheaper with an eta movement. The models you are considering have eta or 8 day versions... the look of the dial is very similar; some models have eta vs. 3 day in house movements. Good luck! I would get the 112 or the 8 day equivalent.

[stockae92]

the new 8 day 44m luminor is more than a different movement.

the case and bezel are slightly thinner, the fonts for the numbers is different.

if you are only going to have one, i would get the 8 day. you can get 560 with a non-sandwich dial and display base, kinda like a 000 with no logo and display back.

but if you truly want a logo dial, you would have to do a 000.

[jmed]

For me the simplicity is what drove me towards Panerai years ago, as an avid Rolex collector I wanted something simple, I decided on the PAM 176 as I liked the finish and weight of the titanium as well as the Sandwich dial and lastly the ability to change out straps


The Lume and movement are pretty great too