sergio
[Panerai Moderator]
5734
Now that the topic.....
has "settled" away from the cold "marketing research" type of questions, people try to ask you in airports, I'll contibute! Panerai, in the eyes of most of it's grass roots followers, is simply the epitomy of...simplicity! The coveted model on the part of a Panerista, is quintessential: it has a dial with 3-6-9-12 and 2 hands on it. It is big (that was the Italian Royal navy original request) and it glows in the dark (another specific request from the Navy). LESS is MORE. No, mundane features, no bells&whistles, no coffe brewing push buttons, the only question that can be asked to a true blue Panerai purist: What time is it? It's too big? Fine, buy yourself another brand. Doesn't have a date's window? Great, buy a watch that does have one. What movement does it utilize? One that is hand wound and that makes the watch....function. That's STILL for lots of us, A PANERAI worth buying. There, now I've said it. 
Can somebody enlighten me about panerai?
Being into watches relatively recently, I have learnt about many different brands, their product lines and their evolutions over the generations. With panerai however, I tried to understand more about the brand but the myriad of similarly named referneces...
A long story...
1/ Yes, I see myself like a Paneristi. 2/ Luminor, Radiomir and Mare Nostrum are the historical lines. Submersible came after, as a reminiscence of the GPF 2/56. 3/ No, by far. There are way too many references. I only keep in mind the historical ones. 4/...
Appreciate your reply Amanico!
What in particular makes the 6154 standout from the others for you I wonder?
Hi Sergio, I am not joking.
I understand you are Italian and I mean no offence at all. I simply want to learn more directly from the collectors, hope you understand where I am coming from. Best regards.
I do understand where you're coming from but.....
I simply don't agree with it. These questions are to be asked to Panerai directly. 2) How do you categorize the PRODUCT LINE/REFERENCES within Panerai? What does it mean?? Why would you want to know it...?
I have been toying with the idea for 20 years
But never pulled the trigger, despite once having one on order in 2003-4 (a PAM 127) and nearly buying an early Mare Nostrum in 2000. My conclusion is always the same: they are too big for my wrist. Maybe if I gain some weight one day... I have a handful ...
I know, it’s the first one I’ve seen...
The same place as the 3646 and the 202/A non-matching. Quite a candy store!
The PAM0021 😲
I think I am in love...Thank you for your reply Vinnie, and I share the sentiment that they are generally too big for my wrist
I really enjoy Panerai
I fell for the brand when I was young and saw them in a few well-known movies. I didn't care about their placement in the movies; rather, the dial and watch design just captured my heart as soon as I saw the watch. Years later, I happened upon them while ...
This is really insightful :)
Thank you for your reply, I feel I have learnt a lot (and a lot more to learn) after reading this post. It is amazing how long the timeless design has spanned, but like you said, I guess the watch industry runs on certain cycles. Regarding the brand itsel...
Yeah, there were untenable promises...
...that Panerai made to the collector group and the group took Panerai at its word. The suggestion that the Cali 249 would not be repeated was one of the greatest disappointments when the 448 came out. I understand the frustration as Panerai overpromised ...
I just had a little dig into the references you mentioned 😰
It's one thing to attract new customers with daring products, but it is a whole different story if you try to "cheat" on your most loyal fans.. really hope that served a good lesson to Panerai and others
True. I do think the lesson was learned.
Both instances happened at a time when the brand could 'do no wrong' many years ago. But the halos over any brand never lasts forever, whether over Panerai or the 1980s-Rolex-on-Wall-Street cliche that led to the notorious success of Richard Paige's prank...
Sent me down another rabbit hold O.O
I can relate to your feeling with Rolex and I think learning to appreciate what a brand is or isn't is extremely crucial. I guess in some ways, that is why I wanted to learn more about Panerai. Thank you destrodan, you have been massively helpful and I ho...
My wife says I excel at finding 'rabbit-holes'
I think I will quit while I'm still behind, as they say. Good luck and the last thing I would leave you with is to try on a Panerai that you like. For many fans, including me, it's transformative.
Understanding Panerai is not an intellectual pursuit but a passionate one. You have to figure it out from within what made you ask these questions in the first place..
The hook into any brand is through a particular watch. Questions naturally arise, research ensues, then either you unknowingly find yourself down some rabbit hole or just move on. Maybe you need to start with a particlar piece and go from there. I find it...
Thank you for your reply!
Yes I agree. With most brands, I am able to find something in the current range that really grabs my curiousity and makes me dig deeper. Some of the older releases suggested by Amanico, Vinnie and destrodan really captured my attention (such as the pam002...
Welcome to the fascinating world of Panerai !...
I started with one Panerai and things quickly escalated ;-)) Personally I would start with a the classic Radiomir with wire lugs and take a look at photos of the original 3646, this will give you the feel for the Panerai DNA. If I can be of further help a...
I enjoy seeing the evolution through one picture :)
Found another interesting picture, this one from californiaclassix ...
Now that the topic.....
has "settled" away from the cold "marketing research" type of questions, people try to ask you in airports, I'll contibute! Panerai, in the eyes of most of it's grass roots followers, is simply the epitomy of...simplicity! The coveted model on the part of...
Hahaha thank you Sergio
I respect the knowledge you have for panerais, so I am glad to hear about your thoughts I feel many "true blue Panerai purists" are fans of the simple, beautiful and quintessential panerai and I can see why. I seldom see anybody mention the complicated/fa...
Compromises are part of life.....
Panerai can produce ANYTHING that can help them achieve their corporate goals: MAKE MONEY! There are a fair few models I wouldn't buy at..gun point..and I see more and more of them. Some of these models though, are the ones that have people queue up outsi...
That is a positive way to look at it ;)
Cheers and hope to learn more from you in future posts Sergio
I like Panerai
There’s many things to like about the form and history of this brand. I like their case shapes and sandwiched dials. It like the bold luminosity. I used to have a Radiomir black seal which I would wear when fishing for peacock bass; oh how i enjoyed the p...