I would have been very happy ....
if Officine Panerai had continue to improve with the Unitas movement which brought us to Panerai. And not try to do anything else. Sad with the recent Panerai trend.
2 is enough.
One Radiomir, one Luminor. One Right hand, one Left hand. One Unitas, one In-house. One Painted, one Sandwich. One Anonymous, one not. All I ever needed. Pam 249 & 557.
Your point is noted and your disappointment is understood. However,..
…there was an industry trend for watch companies outside the Swatch group to create or source replacements to their ETA powered watches. Swatch had been warning people that they would not sell ebauches to others after a certain date.
Most of Panerai watches where based on ETA 6497 or 7750 movements. They had to protect their business. Making watches without movements is not a solid business plan.
Additionally, Panerai’s popularity was sky-high and had caught the attention of the Rep manufacturers. Cases and movements where simple in design and targets of reproduction. In fact, some reps got so scary, that people wouldn’t buy a used Panerai without boxes and papers.
Panerai was also raising prices. This generated an argument that you are spending way too much money for a “decorated” movement that you could buy for under $100. Panerai probably thought they needed to bring more value to their watches to match the rising prices.
Lastly, Panerai wanted to grow up into a complete manufacturing house. Can’t do that while using a competitor’s movements.
Hindsight is 20/20.
Remember, there are plenty of wonderful 6497 powered Panerai watches on the secondary market. But there and forget the rest.
Sincerely,
John
No excuse for poor ETHICS.
There is no "however" and "buts" for me. OP had the opportunity of a life time and blew it.
Actually I'm quite satisfied with the 5000 and 9000 series calibre that are in my Pams
This is such a beautiful movement. Like Nicolas, I love that one and the P3000! All my PAM have the P3000 and at this point I would only consider buying a model with the P3000
The Unitas movement could be soooo much more, with a bit of care and effort.
Independent watchmaker Toristi Laine does some incredible work wth the movement. Panerai needs to step it up.
They do....
on a small number of models. After all, the indipendent doesn't produce thousands of pieces, does he? 
You spoke my mind! To me laser work is not watch making : ) I like tradition, even on a simple movement, it is authentic.
The Swatch Group.....
.....requested the authorization (by the Swiss government) to stop supplying their competitors with their movements by year 2000 (am I the only one that remembers, or my memory is well an truly a "thing of the past"?) The Swiss government accepted the request though the year was not confirmed. As a consequence of that there was a "race-to-the-in-house-movement" by most watches manufacturer. In the meantime, total became partial (supply of ETA movements outside of the group) but the race to the in-house movement was well on the way, by then
It shows a bit more thought and effort.
And as a luxury timepiece at a given price-point it should be the norm. Have been investing time into looking at various brands... efforts into... and their 'ask'.
Depends on the ask.
The movement is solid and reliable. Easy to service and get typical service bits too. That's a big win!
For the entry level Panerai models, I agree.
It’s hard to beat this, especially if you can see it.
