First Watch Sub Vs Panerai Vs Pilot Chrono

[nick6489]

I recently graduated college and am on my way to receiving my first "Real" watch. I have been tirelessly debating between a Submariner, Panerai 112, or IWC Pilot Chrono 3717. While all are versatile I do think the Sub is a little more versatile, but I also hate to be the new kid at work "flaunting" a Rolex. I feel less will know what a Panerai or IWC are and those who do will appreciate it. The main thing holding me back from springing on the PAM is the size, while it fits my wrist I am worried it will not be a very comfortable daily wearer with a suit. The beauty of the sub is I can virtually where it whenever, wherever. What would you guys suggest as a perfect "starter" watch, I realize opinions will vary and it is ultimately my decision, but I would not mind some influence. Thanks

[blackreplica]

I think buying something you can wear anytime, anywhere is a good step for a first serious watch. That would probably eliminate the PAM, leaving the Sub and IWC. All are excellent watches, but for a first watch, i'd recommend sticking with a Rolex.

I agonised over my first serious watch and it came down to the IWC big pilot and the GMT II-C. Went with the rolex and havent regretted it (though I will probably end up getting myself an IWC too one day)

[moby33]

What's the name of this forum? I wonder which way this is going to go???

Seriously, you obviously want the Sub over the others (why else would you post such a question on THIS forum...no doubt for the majority vote that's going to say "Sub, Sub, Sub"), so go for it...buy the Sub and don't look back.

I've been through many watches from many different makers and TRF bias aside, no doubt my SubC is my favorite and most versatile...if I had to keep just one, it would be the Sub without hesitation.

[htc8p]

welcome to the forum.

i started with the 112 first before going to rolex. depends on which looks your like more.

the sub can sometimes look boring compared to the 112 but i think it is way more versatile.

so if your looking for practicality choose the sub.

i would defer on the iwc.

[Cru Jones]

pretty different watches, the three of them. i don't think you can go wrong with any of them, although i'm more drawn to the submariner and 112 (they would make a great pair in a collection, come to think of it ). just remember that the 112 is a manual wind and doesn't have a date, which might be something you'll miss with your first "serious" watch. that being said, if you don't mind not having an auto and date, the 112 is a great piece and the strap culture lets you really personalize your watch on a daily basis.

good luck with the choice. pick the one you WANT and don't over-think it.

[omegabenz]

Go with the one that you keep coming back to. Take your time, there is no need to rush it. Remember it's your first watch and graduation gift, likely you'll keep it'll be an heirloom, so Rolex is always good! You're not going to be flaunting it if it's under your cuff? I wouldn't even worry about that. This watch is for you, not them. Get what you want. Look at the WRUW threads, many people are in business professional clothing with panerai watches. I think the IWC looks more youthful, and you could wear it under the radar so to speak and a nice chronograph to mark your timely achievement is nice too. As you see they are all great choices. So I default to say, go with the one that you keep coming back to and won't fall subject to a fad or change of heart. I guess if you decide later you don't like it, you could sell. Good luck and welcome!

[Fiddy]

Congrats for graduation!!!

I think it depends on what kind of job that you going to apply.
It should match with your character and job position. If I were you, I would get Green Sub ceramic first.
It can go with jean and suit.
You will never get bore with green dial.

Good luck with your new watch.

[travisb]

Don'y worry about what others will think. Just get what you like best.
Congrats!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by travisb

Don'y worry about what others will think. Just get what you like best.
Congrats!

X2 Be your own man and choose the watch you want,as yourself has to wear it.

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by travisb

Don'y worry about what others will think. Just get what you like best.
Congrats!

x3

Wise words indeed.

[HL65]

X4!

[dddrees]

X5

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by nick6489

I also hate to be the new kid at work "flaunting" a Rolex.

I seriously doubt anyone will notice.

Get the watch you want. You're spending a lot on it, so don't compromise. You don't want to be thinking "I wish....", do you?

[Postnikov]

Advice of an old man:
Buy the SUB now instead several watches later! You always will end with a SUB - believe me!

[karmatp]

I have owned all of the watches you have mentioned and they are all fantastic.

The Pam is super fun to own because you can get a nice strap collection and change it up every day of the week. In the summer, I wear nice Kodiak leather straps or rubber straps, I live in water. In the winter months, I wear other leather straps that are nicer. Basically the Panerai is the most versatile, you can dress it up or down. I see Pams all the time on TV these days with suits, they look great. Then you can go home and put on a nice vintage ammo strap and a t-shirt, it wins in versatility.

The IWC 3717 is amazing, one of my favorite chrono's next to the Speedy Pro. I purchased mine on the strap and put on a Kevlar strap just like the IWC Top Gun chrono comes with, it was a great combo and super comfy on the wrist. I realised that I wanted the bracelet and to purchase a IWC bracelet from my AD was like almost $2000. IWC bracelets are super expensive but they are way more comfortable than Rolex bracelets. If you buy the IWC, you will be happy for life but get the bracelet model. You can always put on a strap down the road, once again, the IWC gives you some versatility and it look fantastic on the bracelet or a aftermarket strap.

The Sub is a Sub, you really can't go wrong with it. Like you said, people will judge you a bit, that comes with any expensive material object you own. People just know the Rolex brand, heck, half the people who see it will think it's fake. You need to look past this and get the Sub if you like it the best. I have owned so many different Subs over the years, and recently sold my Sun C to fund a Panerai 351. The 351 made me way more happy than the Sub C, the Sub just screamed Rolex and that is not what I want on my wrist.

You really need to go try them all on. I go through periods were that last brand I want to wear is Rolex, than the next month all I will wear is a Rolex, it's weird. I do prefer to wear brands that are less known to the general public, I just don't want people to notice or recognize the watch I am wearing. With all that said, IWC is probably my favorite brand of all time, with Rolex, Panerai and Omega fighting for 2nd.

Best of luck with your decision. It's your wrist after all, all our opinions are really worthless, we don't wear your watch.

[karmatp]

This thread needs some pics, what looks best to you?

Panerai














IWC 3717




Have to throw this one in just in case you want a really fun diver.






Or Subs









Every thread needs some pics.

[Speed]

So what do you think???

[Spartan]

Just get the SUB-c, EOM

[tkerrmd]

Well first off you worked hard and deserve a fine watch. Anyone who see's you and a fine watch will realize that, if not would be people you probably wont ever be around anyway.
As for the choices, the sub is really the most versatile, and I like the bracelet best of all your choices.
Good luck, welcome and congrats!

[nick6489]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the feedback! While I truly would prefer the Pam I think the size is going to annoy me if I'm wearing it day in and day out with a suit. If it was a second watch there would be no question! I'm going to have to take another trip to the jewelers and try everything on again. Hopefully I'll make up my mind sooner rather than later and update with some pictures!

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by karmatp

This thread needs some pics, what looks best to you?

Panerai














IWC 3717




Have to throw this one in just in case you want a really fun diver.






Or Subs









Every thread needs some pics.

Wow Nice post and great pics, and good way to compare, makes it easy for me to go with a sub!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by karmatp

This thread needs some pics, what looks best to you?

Do I get to keep those which I have chosen?

[p_mcgee]

I love all 3 watches...strictly personal preference. I'd find the IWC 3717 and PAM to be too thick to wear under a shirt cuff all the time. So, that leaves the Sub-C.

1 caveat: the 3717 has been discontinued, and I prefer it to the 43mm replacement. If you like it, maybe you want to get one while they are still readily available. On the kevlar top gun strap (like in the pic above) it is really awesome.

[Arthur Daley]

My totally subjective opinion (I own an SD, a GMTIIc, an IWC Ingy Chrono and have owned 3 Panerais - of which I have 1 left)...

Rolex - fairly inconspicuous. Not many people notice, to be honest. If they do, they keep it to themselves. So wouldn't worry about flaunting the Rolex. It is, by far and way, the most versatile of the 3. Goes with literally anything (from swimming trunks, to jeans, a suit and a tux). I'm a big fan of the Sub, and would definitely take this over the other 3.

Panerai - first started on these in 2006. Had an 88 (Luminor GMT), 232 (Rad SE) and 288 (Rad Chrono). Sold the GMT - didn't see much wrist time - FAR too conspicuous and in-your-face. It wears much larger than its diameter would suggest, and everyone will notice it, even if they don't know what it is. I found clients staring at it in meetings, and became too self-conscious to wear it moving fwd. I liked the 232, but hated the leather strap (not good in hot/humid environments) and ultimately not very versatile. I still have the 288, but never wear it. Will sell it soon. So I went from being a big Panerai fan to losing interest completely. Just not my thing anymore - if I got one, I'd only be comfortable wearing it on weekends.

IWC - love the feel/heft and engineering on these, though I feel that Rolex is a notch above (some might disagree). Also don't look like anything special, for the most part. On the bright side that makes many of their watches stealthy (could be a $500 Seiko), on the other hand that also means they sometimes don't feel very special.

Also bear in mind that of the 3, I believe the Rolex is the only one with an in-house movement - if memory serves. That may ultimately be unimportant to you. Anyway, I'd go with a Rolex - any day of the week - for craftsmanship, iconic design and the in-house movement.

[Postnikov]

Originally Posted by karmatp

This thread needs some pics, what looks best to you?

Panerai














IWC 3717




Have to throw this one in just in case you want a really fun diver.






Or Subs









Every thread needs some pics.

And the winner is: SUB!!!!!

[nick6489]

I'm slowly starting to realize I want the Sub. The fact of the matter is the sub is great any day of the week any time. There's a reason they're so iconic! I think I'm going to go with a no date sub, anything I should look for in particular? New its a little out of reach so I'm going to have to scour the classifieds here for some time!

[Lion]

Congrats on your accomplishment in graduating from college...definitely a milestone. No matter what we say here don't be swayed by our comments...get the one you want, will wear with pride and be the happiest with. It's your money you are spending and none of these watches are cheap. All would be good choices so go to the Ad's put them on your wrist and think before you decide!!!

[zeroshiki]

congrats for your graduation..

go with sub, i was in your shoes back then.. after graduation, i held back from getting a sub and went round and round with other brands.., thinking there's a lot of substitutes for the sub.

i'm not ashamed to admit that i went from steinhart to bill yao's mkii, tag heuers, then became panerai fanatic(not anymore), in the end i still got myself the sub and it makes me smile everytime looking at it on the wrist.. it was my first love to a real watch, and finally after getting it, it's like being reunited or something, even though never owning it before.

it's an iconic watch. and there's not a lot of watches out there has the 'iconic' status attached to it.

i only wish i've gotten the sub way back then when the price wasn't as expensive as today. but it's good to know that the new ceramic sub upgrades makes up for the difference from the previous version(had i purchased a sub instead back then).

[RRGHOST1]

Those Panerai look big and ugly to me,and not very subtle,but thats just me. The IWC is ok but would never buy one over a Rolex.

[warren G.]

Originally Posted by omegabenz

Go with the one that you keep coming back to. Take your time, there is no need to rush it. Remember it's your first watch and graduation gift, likely you'll keep it'll be an heirloom, so Rolex is always good! You're not going to be flaunting it if it's under your cuff? I wouldn't even worry about that. This watch is for you, not them. Get what you want. Look at the WRUW threads, many people are in business professional clothing with panerai watches. I think the IWC looks more youthful, and you could wear it under the radar so to speak and a nice chronograph to mark your timely achievement is nice too. As you see they are all great choices. So I default to say, go with the one that you keep coming back to and won't fall subject to a fad or change of heart. I guess if you decide later you don't like it, you could sell. Good luck and welcome!

Listen to this great advice and welcome to the forum.

Personally I went through a handful of watches before I decide I really wanted a Submariner in the first place.