What make the situation worse are.....

What make the situation worse are speculatory buyers. They don’t necessarily enjoy the watches they buy. Some don’t even intend to wear them. Anticipating future price movements based on the popularity of certain models, as it is easy to spot the stars on forum like this, speculators buy watches in the hope of making quick and easy money.

One of Panerai’s most successful marketing strategies has been to limit supply. Prices of Panerais are already high as it is. Speculators make them even scarcer.

Some of them are not average Joes. You have to have special connection with an AD or Panerai Shop to get a popular model. Pam372 is certainly popular. How many of you think you’ll get it as soon as it is ready for sale.

I want one too. As soon as I learn about the 372, I called Panerai to order one. However, I don’t think Panerai will be calling me anytime soon, if at all, coz I’m not a VIP to them (I only own a few Pams.) That’s understandable in the world of business. No hard feeling.

What I feel bad about is, there will be Pam372 in the 2nd hand market as soon as it becomes available, costing much more than the official retail price. I feel bad not because I’ll have to pay more for it when it is hot off the grill. I just despise those people who have little passion for watches and prey on average Joes who are not well connected.

The law of supply and demand is natural. But it is also artificial and sad.

Available on the marketplace

1,835 Panerai listings are live on the eBay market and 1415 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

PANERAI PAM 372 Luminor 1950 3 Day in Stainless Steel

7,000 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

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Panerai Luminor PAM 372 47mm Plexi -great condition, box, papers, extra straps

6,700 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

6,375 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

4,750 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

Are Panerai prices too cheap today ?

By: Bruno.M1 : April 20th, 2011-10:02

A good title to start a discussion First thought ' ofcourse NOT' Why would we want to pay more for our watches. I wish the 372 was 6000 and not 6900 euro When we need to pay we all want to pay the cheapest price But look at 2 icons. The Rolex submariner a...

ahh....that made me feel better...

By: ocwatching : April 20th, 2011-11:39

But I am sure my wife will still complain. But I find it interesting that the 372 is the same price at launch as the 127 with in house movement and new case. On the flip side, is the 375 overpriced for the composite? Food for thought Bruno!

I thought shilling was verboten on this site! LOL:)

By: playtime : April 20th, 2011-14:43

There seem to be some companies that have

By: docsnov : April 20th, 2011-19:28

readjusted their price points. I believe Zenith watches have become a little more reasonable since the new guy took over. Perhaps Panerai wants the person looking at their watches vs a Rolex and other brands to consider their lower price as a good reason ...

Zenith indeed lowered the price

By: Bruno.M1 : April 20th, 2011-22:03

but the reason is because the previous CEO went mad. Those ugly Defy's didn't sell and definitely not for 15 or 20 K Now they offer very nice watches for very sharp prices ... they need to convince people again but I'm sure if they will get more attention...

I'm almost tempted to ban this post! :-)

By: Jester : April 21st, 2011-02:10

for fears of higher authority reading about this... But in all fairness, I do think OP hasn't been too over the top when it comes to price hikes over the years, which in my opinion somehow contributed to the success of the brand. Imagine if the 372 were p...

+30% would give euro 9K

By: Bruno.M1 : April 21st, 2011-09:22

and I think they would not sell 1 piece less. The only mistake they made was the 341. That watch should have cost 12 - max 13 K (euro). The 20K is just insane. And this is imo why they are pretty easy to get. The 339 is the better looking piece and it has...

If I have to guess, the huge box of 341

By: Jester : April 21st, 2011-21:01

probably played a role in it?

LOL [nt]

By: Bruno.M1 : April 21st, 2011-23:30

No message body

panerai have been very consistent in pricing their watch according to movement / case mate

By: swjoseph : April 22nd, 2011-12:18

My observation leads me to believe that Panerai have been very consistent in pricing their watch according to movement / case material instead of design nor their would price to take avantage of the market response. 41X, 339, 372 and 368 are perfect examp...

In general, I think watches cost too much today

By: AnthonyTsai : April 22nd, 2011-15:21

It's getting more and more expensive to buy a nice watch. Retail pricing just keeps going up and up. Sooner or later, it's going to cost $10k to get an entry stainless steel Panerai. Look how much it costs to buy any of the new limited edition AP Offshore...