Paneristi Passion: An Interview With the Ultimate Panerai Fan

Everyone is drawn to watches for their own personal reasons. For me I have grown to love and appreciate watches in my own way but what I love even more are the stories, the people and their passion for this ultimate hobby. Watches will come and go, continuously change in look and value and get passed around. What remains constant and real, what makes it all meaningful are the memorable stories and the people who live them. Whether it’s a story about that moment you got hooked, the feeling of pride in self-accomplishment or the excitement you felt when that watch that everyone else wants ends up choosing you, watches have the power to represent things that are larger than life…in our lives.

Since I love the stories, I take notice of them and seek them out. I first noticed William’s wristshots on the Panerai forum. They were edgy, rough, cool and just stood out to me. The tattoos gave the images personality in my opinion. Then he posted pictures of his jaw-dropping strap collection, a custom-made chest to store them AND his “Panerai shrine”. I was in complete awe and being the curious person that I am, the hunt for “the story” was born.

William was so gracious to grant me an interview and I thank him for allowing me a glimpse into his personal watch passion. I have to say that I am incredibly impressed and enlightened by some of the sentiments that he shares when it comes to collecting. My favorite quote? " It brings out something in me that I cannot explain." I am sure you will all be able to relate on some level. And might I add…William, the honor was all mine. 

“Hi Purist’s, Watch Geeks and Paneristi’s alike.”

“My name is William and I was asked by Ping for an interview. How can one resist telling his story? Not me. I’m by no means a wordsmith though but here goes it.”

When did you start collecting watches and what motivated you to do so?

“I started this mania in 2006-2007, so I’m somewhat new at being a collector, but I’ve been a mechanical fan since I was a boy. I loved things with gears, springs and so on, so it was only natural that I would turn my love to timepieces and collecting as an adult. Looking back my interest was piqued after doing time. That helped me put “TIME” into perspective. But that’s another story.”

“My biggest influence and this is an embarrassing fact for me to admit, but I started collecting after watching Jim Skelton, the (used to be) front man for Shop NBC and Invicta. I was enamored with him. He had me mesmerized and hanging on to his every word about watches and the intricacies of these wrist arts we collect and wear and at that time in my life and with his help I owned over 125 Invicta watches in less than a year. It was crazy to say the least. So I started collecting any publications, books and a subscription to Watch Time magazine that I could get my hands on regarding timepieces, origins, movements and different metals used. I wanted to know everything and it was at this time that I came to the realization that I was spending my HARD earned $$ on watches NOT timepieces (well at least in my NOOB eyes). Also the fact that Invicta was not worth the $$ I was spending. I became a flipper quickly and saving the $$ for my first REAL timepiece purchase, an Omega at the time and still own it to this day.”

Tell us about your collection. How has your collection evolved since when you first started collecting?

“As everything in life we evolve over time, so did my collection as the years went by, from Invicta to micro-brands or “boutique divers”. I love the independent companies out there. They have a lot to offer for your money. After the micro-brands I stepped up to “luxury” or “mainstream” brands. My collection ranges from all the above to date, from Invicta to Rolex, Seiko to Benarus. I just love watches these days, and I buy what catches my eye.”

This may be obvious but do you have a favorite brand and what do you like about their watches?

“But my Passion is ANYTHING Panerai. I’m a Paneristi at heart.  From the case design, dial, the exclusivity, origin, the history of the brand. It brings out something in me that I cannot explain. It demands attention from people that know “timepieces” and appreciate wearing simplicity, originality, fun, flexibility to dress up/down, pedigree, a strategic direction in watch making.

What about a watch catches your eye or gets you excited the most?

“But first and foremost I like the look of them, all the rest are added bonuses. I own 3 at the moment but with all the variations of straps it’s like owning 5-6 pieces.”

You seem to have a thing for straps J and some of them can be really cool. How often would you say you change the straps on your watches and how do you decide which watch and strap to wear on a given day?

“If you’ve seen my posts you will also see I’m addicted to leather, so with a fetish to leather and the ease of strap changing, Panerai just fit the bill. I’m what some may call a strap wh**e. I currently own 78 straps from Ammo to Croc, Nato/Zulu’s, custom to cookie cutter to OEM from makers from all over the world. I would say my favorite type is Ammo straps, made from Ammo pouches from WW1 and WW2 and yes I have favorite makers as well. Peter Gunny is my favorite following close behind is Kevin Adeeos-some may call him “THE” Original Ammo strap maker.” 

“It’s amazing how you can still smell the gun powder after 90+ years. I love the smell of leather in the morning. I change straps frequently. Whenever I wear a PAM for the day a new strap follows with it and that’s just one of the added bonuses for me with Panerai, new day new strap. I try to coordinate the strap with my shirt for the day and I seek out straps that match my shirts. There are some days that I will swap out straps from the morning to the evening.”

Do you have a favorite watch in your collection and if so, why is it your favorite?

“My crown jewel is my Rolex SD. Why you may ask? Pure class IMO. It speaks volumes as to one’s success or accomplishments in life. Well at least for me it did/does. I purchased it at a time in my life that I felt I reached my goal at the business level I was looking to achieve-I made it! Plus how can one be a collector without a Rolex in his collection.”

Is there a watch that you sold or passed up that you wish you hadn’t?

“One of my biggest regrets was flipping my Rolex Exp II 16570 for a Panerai 112 that in the end I ended up flipping as well. ;^( “

What would be your ultimate concept Panerai?

“Ping asked me “What would be MY ultimate Panerai?” That’s an easy one. They’ve already produced them. A PVD Pre A PAM004 or PAM009 T-Dial with fatty numbers would be a dream for me to own or the contemporary Panerai 785 SE Set. Luminor Black Sea 8 days Acciaio DLC 44mm is aces in my book of MY dream Panerais as well.”

What other interests do you have other than collecting watches?

“My other interest in my life or my MOTTO is Family 1^st. I have a beautiful, loving and understanding wife (which is needed with this WIS disease) and I am a father to four girls and a boy. But I do have other hobbies. I’m an avid bike rider. I own a custom 88 cubic inch Harley Night-Train. It’s the ultimate feeling of freedom, being able to get on my “Scoot” and leave all life’s stresses behind even for a day is a very unique freedom.”

Describe your ideal day off.

“My ideal day off? (which is far and few between these days), would be a day of  shopping in Vegas with the wife, so many shops/boutiques and varieties to choose from then head to Cali for the beach scene.”

What advice would you give to someone who has just discovered the world of fine mechanical watches?

“My advice to someone who has just discovered the world of fine timepieces would be buy what you like. Do your homework before you purchase anything or at least know why and what you’re purchasing. Just because you saw it on someone else’s wrist doesn’t mean you will like it. If at all possible go check it out in person at your local AD or boutique. DO NOT buy a timepiece for an investment. You may be surprised after you try selling it at what your actually going to get from what you paid for it. And at last but not least enjoy your new piece, wear it, don’t treat it like a new born baby or IMO you’ll take the fun out of your purchase.”

“I hope this wasn’t too long and drawn out and if you made it this far Thank You for taking the time to read MY story.”

“Ping I’m honored that you would ask me for an interview as most judge me by my tattoos and think I’m just trash. Thank You for reaching out to me for this. Again I’m honored to say the least.”

“Hope you all enjoyed my story.”

Sincerely,

William M