Panerai popularity winding down?

[Alex1974]

Well, I'm in China for the time being and the people are still very keen to get a PAM. The prices here are just sick (PAM 212 for 86.000 Yuan = 13.500 $)

But the people don't like Rolex and they prefer Tudor, Rado, PP, Omega...

Regards,
Alexander

[elevensheep]

I think PAM popularity has definitely come down a notch.

In Hong Kong, back in 2006, I remember being on the waiting listing for almost 2 years to buy a 104 from the AD. The more popular models such as 111 etc had even longer waiting list.

Now the wait list is much much shorter, and even popular models can be picked up reasonably easily.

Also, second hand price has come down quite a bit.

A few years ago, i remember second hand prices used to be very similar to brand new AD prices, now there is quite a bit of discount.

[leeye]

PAM fever is strange, it goes up quickly and dies down just as fast. hahahaha

[Turkeyboy]

I hope it dies down so I can pick up a couple of beauties at much lower prices......

[Launch Mini]

i have seen a lot more Panerai in the wild in the last year than I ever have.
What I have found, is that they are still selling, but the "general population" is buying them. Not average Joe, but the guy who doesn't mind spending $$ on a watch.
What I have noticed, is another website, with some P fans, has lost a lot of steam.
Don't think it's because of the watch, but some bad PR with that site that lost a few regular posters and noobs that don't want to chime in.
I had a number of "premium" pieces that I sold this year. I just cut my collection down to 3 watches I really like & wear all the time. No point keeping them in a safe.

Going back, I think there was an artificial bubble created with a buzz on another forum. Low number of pieces produced each year, a few die hard fans, and it wasn't too hard to create a temporary shortage.
Now, the limited editions, and SE's will still be gone in a heartbeat, but the "regular" pieces should be easier to buy from an AD.