Officine Panerai

dnlmpg
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I understand where you're coming from

I have had a love-hate relationship with Panerai - obviously started with love (or lust), at the right time as with the 233/270 era was when they began venturing into "in-house" movement. Back then, in terms of functionality, 8/10 days PR with a unique horizontal indicator (I just love watching the indicator go up/down through the week), quick set GMT-function that allows you to set dates backwards (so you don't ever have to worry about adjusting date at 9pm-3am) and second reset were (and arguably still) ahead of its competitors. Add in the sandwich dial + domed glass and it was just ticking the right boxes for me.
I did have to struggle between the 270 or a 233 dot dial - but in the end the less busy-looking PR indicator on the 270 won it for me.
Again, also totally understand where they screwed up. The movement debacle aside, my biggest bone to pick with them is how they totally flooded the market with too many models each year and killed their own brand; or how they killed the PAM 373 with the PAM 425 lol... perhaps it was the right strategy for their P&L, I didn't bother to look, but it did kill the passion for many. It's impossible to please everyone, I guess... but I digress
Anyway - although you didn't ask for the advice but here it is anyway lol: in the end, I would still buy with my heart (with a bit of sanity check). If it makes me smile every time I look at it still, then why not, regardless of what's happening at their HQ. In terms of sanity check, for as long as Richmont is still around and still own the brand, I don't have to worry about not being able to service it.
Good luck with your search, hope you'll end up with the choice that makes you happy!