thoughts on Panarai

[yachty 1]

What are your guys thoughts on Panarai? Yes or no. I can't stop looking at them! Are they a fad or here to stay. How are they as far as resale? Hard to sell or easy. I like the pam321. Any ownere reviews will all be helpful.

[wantonebad]

Been around longer than you or I have been alive so I don't think they are a fad. That said, not my cup of tea either. I do like the design of them and the chunky feel but I just don't think they are worth the money. Few watches these day are worth the money but I really can't see paying over 10K for a PAM. JMHO

[Hooper]

Not a huge fan, I'D rather spend the money on a watch I liked better, another Rollie or Omega or.............!

[yakmeister]

I bought my first Pam a few months back and it gets a LOT of wrist time. They are mostly large and bulky but with an 8 inch wrist I like it a lot. One of the things most Pam owners enjoy is the awsome variety of straps available. You can dress them up, or dress them down. I would suggest finding an AD in your area and trying a few on for size.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Hooper

Not a huge fan, I'D rather spend the money on a watch I liked better, another Rollie or Omega or.............!

Omega's are a bargain compared to a PAM!!

[subtona]

very nice watches distinctive ,refined and unique.

however the LE proliferation combined with extreme pricing (imho) leaves me feeling as though they are taking advantage of the consumer.

[yakmeister]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Been around longer than you or I have been alive so I don't think they are a fad. That said, not my cup of tea either. I do like the design of them and the chunky feel but I just don't think they are worth the money. Few watches these day are worth the money but I really can't see paying over 10K for a PAM. JMHO

I bought my PAM 359 (has the in house Pam movement) from a trusted seller here for around $6k. Some of the "entry level" Pams go for under $5k.

[esm]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Omega's are a bargain compared to a PAM!!

Yet the resale value is probably about the same for both...

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by yakmeister

I bought my PAM 359 (has the in house Pam movement) from a trusted seller here for around $6k. Some of the "entry level" Pams go for under $5k.

True enough, but many of those are the simple complications and the low power reserve models or even the manual winds.

Originally Posted by esm

Yet the resale value is probably about the same for both...

That's not a good thing for Panerai

[Dr. Robert]

I had an Officine Panerai, got it new.......didn't wear it much, sold it 8 years later for more than I paid for it.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I had an Officine Panerai, got it new.......didn't wear it much, sold it 8 years later for more than I paid for it.

Nicely done

[Watchcraze007]

Originally Posted by subtona

very nice watches distinctive ,refined and unique.

however the LE proliferation combined with extreme pricing (imho) leaves me feeling as though they are taking advantage of the consumer.

Have that feeling, too!

[Watchcraze007]

Originally Posted by yakmeister

I bought my PAM 359 (has the in house Pam movement) from a trusted seller here for around $6k. Some of the "entry level" Pams go for under $5k.

Speaking of trusted sellers... Anyone heard of an "Ed!" who sells watches here? Or a Jason? He says he owns www.therolexguy.co.uk Anyone dealt with him?

[Watchcraze007]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I had an Officine Panerai, got it new.......didn't wear it much, sold it 8 years later for more than I paid for it.

May I ask which Pam was that?

[nick c]

Years ago got the panerai 217 for $10,000 at that time didn't know that one day going to sell it on eBay for $24,000 so since then I am crazy for panerai hope it helps

[esm]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I had an Officine Panerai, got it new.......didn't wear it much, sold it 8 years later for more than I paid for it.

Did you buy it before 1997?

[HDHNTER]

I bought my first Rolex in 07 & several more along with a UN in the years that followed.... all were great watches I enjoyed wearing but that nagging Panerai itch lingered. At first I didn't get them, thought they were odd & too big but my opinion evolved & the desire to own one grew.

Finally picked up my first Panerai a year ago, a 312 & followed that up with a 372 back in June. To be completely honest, none of my priors (Bluesy, SS Daytona, Pepsi, SubC or the UN) came close to bringing the level of joy that wearing a Panerai does for me. The other huge upside is straps, they take the fun factor to a whole new sickening level.

I have but one Rolex these days, my SubC, which I held onto for the sake of diversity... flipped the rest due to a lack of interest in wearing. I broke down & wore the Sub for the first time in a long time for an out-of-town wedding last month. Figured I would give it some time out of the safe & see if I still liked it enough to justify keeping, bad call... cool watch but I regretted not wearing a Panerai the entire weekend. Long story short, for me.... Rolex was a learning phase that helped me figure out what I like & don't like... turns out I was a Panerai guy all along... it just took me 5 years to figure it out, YMMV.

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by esm

Yet the resale value is probably about the same for both...

Now given your length of time here & the high post count I would like to think you are versed enough on the subject to know that's not an accurate statement. Yes, if you pick up a white dial or 40mm PAM at list you will likely take a significant hit on resale & have a tough time finding a buyer but if you opt for one of the more recognized models that are always in demand resale value is almost as strong as Rolex & in some cases much better as 1000 382 owners can fully attest to.

[Watchcraze007]

Allen, what are the second & third Pams you'd personally like after the 372?

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by Watchcraze007

Allen, what are the second & third Pams you'd personally like after the 372?

I would love to own a 382 & 449 as well if funds allowed.

[red1108nyc]

personally, I love them and you can't go wrong with the base models... timeless!

[TattooedGQ]

I'm kind of in the PAM boat now, I keep looking at them, and am thinking about flipping my remaining sub for one with a sandwich dial...or maybe selling a bunch of lower end watches to fund one.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Watchcraze007

May I ask which Pam was that?

Sold off my PAM 00049, the 40mm Luminor Marina, SS, white dial, black Arabic #'s, black croc deployant strap.
Got it new, Feb. '04...it was a 2003 mfr.
Didn't wear it much, off it went, April of this year......for more than I paid......got a pre-owned 16610 sub, 2 new Casio G-shock Aviation watches & still had bread left for a complete service on the sub.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by HDHNTER

I would love to own a 382 & 449 as well if funds allowed.

What do you think of the 233? I am so tempted right now!

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Sold off my PAM 00049, the 40mm Luminor Marina, SS, white dial, black Arabic #'s, black croc deployant strap.
Got it new, Feb. '04...it was a 2003 mfr.
Didn't wear it much, off it went, April of this year......for more than I paid......got a pre-owned 16610 sub, 2 new Casio G-shock Aviation watches & still had bread left for a complete service on the sub.

I guess those 40mm white dials aren't so tough to flip after-all.

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by masterserg

What do you think of the 233? I am so tempted right now!

I was hot & heavy for a dot dial K series for a good while but then the 372 came along. I'm a base guy now but I still LOVE the 233's super-dome. My only reservation was of the sticking fang PR issue. None of the dot dials are immune, not even the K's although most are under the impression the problem was sorted out by the time K's were built & maybe for the most part it was - too narrow of a cut-out for the fang = possibility of a hang-up. I wanted the cleaner looks of the dot but the fact that it likely wouldn't be a warranty covered repair if a problem arose scared my wallet. If you're considering the AM/PM version than no worries but if the dot is your preference it's something to take into consideration since the repair is very expensive from what I have read.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by HDHNTER

I was hot & heavy for a dot dial K series for a good while but then the 372 came along. I'm a base guy now but I still LOVE the 233's super-dome. My only reservation was of the sticking fang PR issue. None of the dot dials are immune, not even the K's although most are under the impression the problem was sorted out by the time K's were built & maybe for the most part it was - too narrow of a cut-out for the fang = possibility of a hang-up. I wanted the cleaner looks of the dot but the fact that it likely wouldn't be a warranty covered repair if a problem arose scared my wallet. If you're considering the AM/PM version than no worries but if the dot is your preference it's something to take into consideration since the repair is very expensive from what I have read.

Thanks! I'd get a BNIB so AM/PM

[yachty 1]

Thank you all for the great replies

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Thanks! I'd get a BNIB so AM/PM

Welcome!

[B. Doggy]

Ummm....yes.