Seeing as how I am new to watches, particularly the lesser known brands such as Panerai, I wanted to take a look at the watches myself before buying a replica. I found out that I am lucky enough to live within miles of an authorized dealer, and headed over there the other morning.
I got there and right away I knew any sales person was going to say, wtf is this guy doing in here? He cannot afford anything. They had over 300 Rolex's as I walked in, a very large assortment of Breitlings to the left, and then I saw the Panerei. Straight ahead near the back of the store.
I had to think quick on my feet if I actually wanted to touch any of these watches. Granted I truly did not know just how expensive they were, but I knew the salesperson would be skeptical to even take them out of the case for me. I came up with a plan and set it into action. I told the sales lady that my father's 50th bday was coming up and my mother wanted to get him something very special. I said he already owned one Panerei and I knew he had his eye on another.
Right away, BAM! The case opens and here comes all 10-12 they had in stock out for me to get a closer look. First I had a 177 in my hands and I really liked it. I commented to her that my father had small wrists similar to mine and he was unsure about another large dial watch. So I slipped it on and had a look. I must say, it looked very nice on my wrist
Now another one caught my eye with what looked to be a carbon fiber dial. Forgive me as I am new to Panerei and I did not catch the model number. I believe it could have possibly been a 241? Anyways I put this one on and comment that he would really like this one. She says, let me get you a price. Now remember, I still don't quite know what these watches cost. She flips through her book and says "Nineteen". In that next brief moment I think to myself, "hell for $1900 I'll just buy a real one eventually". Like I said, that moment was brief. She follows up by saying "Nineteen Six". I just about hit the floor. $20,000 for this watch?! And it's on my wrist?! I'm pretty sure all the blood drained from my face. I mean, I don't even have 20k to put down on a house let alone a watch :lol:
I regain my composure and take the watch off my wrist. I hand it back to her and politely ask for a card so that when I send my "mother" back, she will know who to speak with. We exchange pleasantries and I am out the door. I still could not believe the price of that watch.
And that my friends is why I am here and not on the authentic Panerai board. :lol:
I got there and right away I knew any sales person was going to say, wtf is this guy doing in here? He cannot afford anything. They had over 300 Rolex's as I walked in, a very large assortment of Breitlings to the left, and then I saw the Panerei. Straight ahead near the back of the store.
I had to think quick on my feet if I actually wanted to touch any of these watches. Granted I truly did not know just how expensive they were, but I knew the salesperson would be skeptical to even take them out of the case for me. I came up with a plan and set it into action. I told the sales lady that my father's 50th bday was coming up and my mother wanted to get him something very special. I said he already owned one Panerei and I knew he had his eye on another.
Right away, BAM! The case opens and here comes all 10-12 they had in stock out for me to get a closer look. First I had a 177 in my hands and I really liked it. I commented to her that my father had small wrists similar to mine and he was unsure about another large dial watch. So I slipped it on and had a look. I must say, it looked very nice on my wrist
Now another one caught my eye with what looked to be a carbon fiber dial. Forgive me as I am new to Panerei and I did not catch the model number. I believe it could have possibly been a 241? Anyways I put this one on and comment that he would really like this one. She says, let me get you a price. Now remember, I still don't quite know what these watches cost. She flips through her book and says "Nineteen". In that next brief moment I think to myself, "hell for $1900 I'll just buy a real one eventually". Like I said, that moment was brief. She follows up by saying "Nineteen Six". I just about hit the floor. $20,000 for this watch?! And it's on my wrist?! I'm pretty sure all the blood drained from my face. I mean, I don't even have 20k to put down on a house let alone a watch :lol:
I regain my composure and take the watch off my wrist. I hand it back to her and politely ask for a card so that when I send my "mother" back, she will know who to speak with. We exchange pleasantries and I am out the door. I still could not believe the price of that watch.
And that my friends is why I am here and not on the authentic Panerai board. :lol:
