destrodan
506
Reminds me of the Walt Odets and Peter Chong debates about Lange and Patek in the very early 2000s...
...Odets' position was that Lange took shortcuts on finishing the unseen areas of the 1815 L941.1 movement. This movement was produced since 1994 and the debates were occurring around the time that Richemont acquired so it wasn't "because of" Richemont.
This isn't anything new in watchdom, but it may be new for newer collectors.
I've come to the conclusion that it's best to just enjoy watches for what they are and understanding what they aren't. It's all subjective to a given timeframe and related to the fads of the day and what is appreciated at one time isn't appreciated at another. I've said before, Panerai should just be honest about what they are and what they are not (i.e. reign in their marketing department)...good grief, I remember when we all got excited because they finally got around to adding Côtes de Genève to the Unitas 6497 movements! And this was at the height of the brand's stardom.
It was never about the movement. Still isn't in my opinion.