Comments:
I have a question: What made you buy your first Panerai?....
because you liked it, because you "saw the light" (Blues Brother's style) because of its "cult" status? Because you'd had enough of mainstream timepieces? Because...because....because..?
I liked vintage Rolex and Panerai was a natural.
The similarity of their commercial position like Rolex with no discount. I loved eight or ten years ago when you went to the boutique or an AD they did not discount maybe a free strap or some sybolic gesture. This made me feel strong about the brand and that the guy next to me paid the same price not 35% less. Bonatti would supply 60% of the demand and always kerp us on waiting lists. The second wrist market was very strong and still remains strong on the watches wear tue typical resale value was equal to the price paid 5 years earlier.
This was something that seperated Panerai beyond the cult and dna and fashion. Felt like a solid approach always keeping is hungry. But today i am a liitle lost i must admit. I cant ketp up with the models and the prices.
I still have a weakness though for the nostalgia of the brand.
Bill
I have not gotten mine yet
because they always keep me waiting for the one I like (I have very small wrist). But my wife absolutely loves the brand.
And yes, I can only imagine living in Italy. Everytime I order a pair of shoes, the shoe maker will promise delivery in six months but I will consider myself a lucky man if I receive them within a year.
Good luck on Sat!!
james
I did buy Panerai...
- because of the design of the Luminor 1950 case (especially its crown guard)
- because of the brand history, its close link with the Marina Militare
- because it was not so famous a few years ago
and because it looks damn good on the wrist 
Best
Fabio
Still thinking about a PAM219 regularly
But must admit that the size of my little 574 is quite accommodating
The only..base..destro the 219.
Have you ever tried the 210 or a modern 610 on the wrist? I keep reading that the fit is surprisingly "small" for 45mm watches.
No I haven't. Maybe I should try them?
Or maybe not (why make more complicated than it already is?)
The more you know, the more you can...choose. That's all.
You write about your 574 in apologetic terms, most of the time. If you were 100% comfortable with its size you wouldn't. I, for one, have no problems with..your..little 574 (as you wrote few minutes ago 
No no don't get me wrong
I really like it.
I just love a base model more from an aesthetic point. And a Panerai from a purists stand point should be 45 mm+. But having owned a 359 and 379 and both felt too big my only choice was to go smaller. And this one with the funky green strap made me smile. It would be perfect without the second hand.
I just love a base model more from an aesthetic point. And a Panerai from a purists stand point should be 45 mm+. But having owned a 359 and 379 and both felt too big my only choice was to go smaller. And this one with the funky green strap made me smile. It would be perfect without the second hand.
I was always attracted to the brand.
I think how different they look to others really got me to fall for Panerai. Then I was surfing the net and read a store about the 106 and I loved it. The anthracite dial is so amazing when I saw one for sale I knew that would be the first Panerai!
390
I traded my black dial rolex daytona in for a PAM390 after seeing pictures like this of vintage panerai
There is something so rugged and masculine about a worn leather strap and bold watch size. Although I no longer wear panerai, I still keep to leather straps and consider bracelet watches, even the rolex oyster bracelet to be effeminate. I think integrated bracelets as in the royal oak or nautilus to be super effeminate. Please note I'm using the term effeminate to describe the item's character, I am NOT suggesting that the wearer is effeminate if he wears a submariner or royal oak.
There is something so rugged and masculine about a worn leather strap and bold watch size. Although I no longer wear panerai, I still keep to leather straps and consider bracelet watches, even the rolex oyster bracelet to be effeminate. I think integrated bracelets as in the royal oak or nautilus to be super effeminate. Please note I'm using the term effeminate to describe the item's character, I am NOT suggesting that the wearer is effeminate if he wears a submariner or royal oak.
You no longer wear a Panerai...
what do you wear these days? May I suggest to substitute the word effeminate with...dainty or frilly or delicate? They can be interpreted in the same way and are not...gender discriminatory
RL automotive chronometer
I'm wearing the 39mm Ralph Lauren Automotive Chronometer.
The rolex oyster bracelet and the nautilus and royal oak integrated bracelets are definitely not dainty, frilly, or delicate, in fact they're extremely sturdy. Their effeminate character is the result of their designer nature. Like women's clothing, we know the name of the designer, Gerald Genta. Who is the designer of the men's lounge suit? When you think about the radiomir its completely utilitarian like WWI trench watches, just a leather strap added to a oyster pocket watch so it can be worn on the wrist. This utilitarian origin gives it a more masculine character.
My Ralph Lauren watch is over designed, mixing elements from steampunk, fliegers, automotive, faux patina, etc. giving it a feminine character.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2016-06-29 17:55:33
I like brown and I like titanium
The 116F offered both in one watch, with a display back and base configuration. But it seemed big at the time, so I sold it.
Now I have 2-3 other brand watches that size, but I still prefer 38-40mm. I have looked for the 40 mm Chrono but never bought one.
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2016-06-30 06:23:18
Now I have 2-3 other brand watches that size, but I still prefer 38-40mm. I have looked for the 40 mm Chrono but never bought one.
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2016-06-30 06:23:18
Bold and beautiful in its simplicity..
I'm not sure there are other brands out there that can claim this particular crown.
Presence but with a lot of restraint. Sexy by not showing too much.
Lay the top representatives of all the major brands on a table and a Panerai easily distinguishes itself from the crowd.
A daunting piece on the wrist and needs some consideration as a first purchase.. not because of anything else but if one can carry it off and not worry about its size and "wall clock" comments that one might potentially attract. It owns you at first until you learn how to own it.
Hopefully, I can add a 232 to the mix at some point. The 610 is a nice alternative inspite of the 8 days text. After that, perhaps, a 587 although I'm also attracted to the 127 type case (unfortunately a different price point altogether).
Best,
Echi
Aaaah, the 587... If one day I have the opportunity to come back ti Panerai, it will be a 587 and a 372. Basta. ;) [nt]
No message body
just because the dial was so simple and minimal [nt]
IMHO the dial holds a natural vintage character...
plus the wire lugs of Radiomir...
plus the crown...
This message has been edited by maverickmahesh on 2016-06-29 21:29:39
Because of influence from its history and watch websites and magazines featuring Panerai very frequently, also to look cool and at that time it was a 44mm onwards..
wearable size compared to other watch brands until big sized watches became a huge trend, it's simplicity in the dial and movement hand wind.. Unitas movement..
I actually waited for 2 hours at a watch boutique in Taipei for them to transport last PAM 210 over from another boutique..
Now it's like a weekend watch because looks trendy enough as casual wear rather than a real tool watch like a Sub.
I actually waited for 2 hours at a watch boutique in Taipei for them to transport last PAM 210 over from another boutique..
Now it's like a weekend watch because looks trendy enough as casual wear rather than a real tool watch like a Sub.
Actually first nice watch I owned....
Was initially attracted to the radiomir cushion case, wire lugs; high visibility dial and great lume. Thinking I wanted "life" on the dial I wanted a seconds hand... So first thought was a 183.... But before purchasing. I thought I would only have 1 Panerai so I thought I needed a crown guard as my representative...then to the 233 dot because of its glorious complications yet RELATIVELY simple dial...(and most importantly the 8 days PR) and NO it's not a Breitling!!! Haha... Still love my 233k; now my favorite features are the manual wind; thinner 1950 case compared to the autos; and the Domed sapphire!!! and picked up a 190 a few years back to get my gold hands; PR indicator on the back; and my radiomir! That's my story!!!
I did buy a 233, first series. I was far from being a purist, back then and a friend convinced me...
I had to buy the first ever Luminor (the first Panerai with that movement was the PAM200 btw) with an in-house movement with 8 days PR, which is a milestone for a reputable horologier, apparently. The problem was that I did..really...travel incessantly, back then, and the GMT funcition was a nightmare. I gave it away with so quick and so gladly, I forgot I ever owned one, in a matter of days And while the GMT function has been "twicked" in place, I'm ever so glad I don't have to stare at the..fangs..every time I look at the watch. In answer to my own question, I bought a 249 Cali as first PAM because when I saw it, it litterally blew me away.
And while the GMT function has been "twicked" in place, I'm ever so glad I don't have to stare at the..fangs..every time I look at the watch. In answer to my own question, I bought a 249 Cali as first PAM because when I saw it, it litterally blew me away.
The GMT feature is not a nightmare LOL!!!
I tend to hide it behind the hour hand anyway... But I like the "dot" feature and IMHO; the 12 hr GMT makes the GMT dial way less cluttered than a 24?hr version with all the numbers around the bezel... Your right on the fang; I tolerate it but much prefer the JLC implementation with indicator on back. I love domed sapphire and the way it distorts the dial. My favorite watch would be a 44mm version of the 368 or a 45mm Cali
I solved the domed sapphire crave by buying 127 and 217. :-) Wait until you'll see the Luminor Two...
Wait until you'll see the Luminor Two...you'll be surprised. Not your "bold one", to be sure, but for true blue Paneristi with..thin wrists..problems or oversized watches problems, it will represent the right compromise...