Insane in the membrane…help me understand;

[Mojua]

Hey all,

I just sent the following as a PM to a fellow member of this board, but would love to hear your 'philosophical' thoughts as well, on a point I’ve been battling with over the past few weeks – since I don’t even own a rep yet (only a Gen 111i);

Isn’t there something intrinsically powerful / invaluable about owning a gen and knowing it’s a gen…not for anyone else’s sake, but just because?!?!…I've been reading all these posts from people who are like, ‘I can afford a gen if I want to, but I don’t think they’re worth it, so I stick with reps.’ That sentiment, although believable, seems a bit shortsighted to me…it’s like being able to afford a ’65 Shelby Cobra, but getting this; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cobra_W0 ... dZViewItem instead, because the real thing’s ‘not worth it’…no matter how good it looks or how well it drives, it’s NOT real, and being real is what makes the real thing worth it…or what about an original piece of art vs. a copy/print, or a mined diamond vs. a cultured/grown diamond, or seeing Pink Floyd in concert vs. seeing a Pink Floyd cover band in concert…in each case, both products/pieces/experiences serve a purpose and have a value, but there’s a fundamental difference…

Regardless of how much it cost to build, or how high/low end the individual parts are…the combined effort, and history, and design, and community of Panerai, are what makes a PAM a PAM…

I’m gonna get a David Fiddy because it’ll fulfill an otherwise unattainable dream of mine…I can’t afford a real one, and it's been a grail watch of mine for years…to that end, I am supremely appreciative of / grateful for the fact that there are fantastic dealers out there like David who offer a great product, and I'm thankful that I've found such an awesome community/resource here to talk with and learn from. In the end of the day though, if I could TRULY afford and appreciate the original of anything, the idea of getting a ‘rep’ would never even cross my mind…

What do you guys think? I guess more than anything, I wonder what inspires each of us to seek out / covet / enjoy reps?

 

[Cucumber_Jones]

When you own a few reps you may change your opinion on owning a gen pam - I know I did.

 

[Novesh]

first,
PLEASE make ur avatar smaller before you get banned.

second,
people buy reps because they want to see what the gen is like. In some cases money is no issue and buying a gen just to see "how it fits," and I am not talking about just fit on the wrist, is just pointless. Why spend the money on something you might not like, especially if its $5k+ Buy a $100 rep and blamo, you get your just deserts.

third,
It is left to that persons preference. If I own a bunch of gens, and want to buy a rep, am I sell out? Other way around, I own a bunch of reps and I want to buy a gen? Its all on based on that person. Some people want that one gen for that special occasion or just to shoot the shite with friends.

 

[caravaggio]

Yet another f*ck who has one post and he enters with an

attitude that reps are for stupids like us and gens are so worth the big money they are that we are fools for not owning them.

Tell you what, noobie: go back to working your five days a week, earn your big ass paychecks and then, tell you what, buy us all a gen and if you have any money left over, buy yourself one!

Make mine the most expensive tacky Rolex your big fat money can buy!

Tell you what too, bet you $1000 that more will people will ask me if my big fat Rolex is a fake than people who will not.

But hey, it's your big ass fat money, sir.

Not mine.


Luke :evil: :evil:

 

[cybee]

...first of all Hello and Welcome..I can only say what inspires me to buy reps is just the simple fact that I like nice watches and in addition to saving a few thousand makes it even that much sweeter..It's a fun hobby.
Hope you like it here and look forward to seeing pics of your first purchase...

 

[hooligan]

Wow. PF woke up on the wrong side of the bed! :wink:

My opinion on reps v. gen: Buy what makes YOU happy.

 

[coop]

I dont think there was reason to flame the guy. :shock:
He was polite.

As for me, I love watches, all kinds, I want to have a huge collection with something to wear for any reason. I could not afford to do it with gens.

 

[WatchDude13]

Re: Yet another f*ck who has one post and he enters with an

Tell you what too, bet you $1000 that more will people will ask me if my big fat Rolex is a fake than people who will not.

Not saying that isn't sometimes the case, but I've been an owner of a gen Rolex for 2 years (not a big fat one, just a GMT II). I've never once been asked if it is fake, NEVER.

Now, I kinda put my point of view of this on the other thread. I could pick up another gen or two without it being too big of a deal, but right now I choose to spend my money elsewhere. I have started a fund for my next gen purchase and I put $100 in here, $100 there. So could I afford a gen? Sure, could pick up a nice one today for cash. Could I afford just about any gen (Patek, VC, etc), sure - just take out a home equity line. Can I REALLY afford a gen, guess not as my money is better spent elsewhere (IMO).

 

[caravaggio]

OOOOOOOH WOW WOW MOMMA

Come see papa...


I feel Britney just told me to simmer down a little...

Well, since this request is from her and NOT Coop, I will back off..


HHMMMM :wink: :wink: :wink:

Well, Coop, your avatar worked its magic on me, partner, sure did.

Enjoy the forum Noobie.

But please remember, this is a rep forum, not an ego trip up TZ avenue.


Lucky Luke

 

[crick]

i bought a gen few years ago... wore it for some months, didnt like it afterwards. Some thing last year. I sit through weeks debating if that's the "holy grail" of watches and after some more weeks decide it is... but for some reason, it just looks/feels different on the wrist after a while - or my tastes for it was completely uncalled for at the time b/c "it looks cool, but not cool on me."

the several minutes of having teh watch on me in an AD doesnt tell me squat. it's the one - three weeks on my wrist that tells me most.

So i buy a rep to try on or to fill my momentary urges for the "flavor of the month" - will it be the holy grail of watches? probably not - probably have very little wrist time after the initial infatuation is over. Reps though led me to buy a gen that I really like and want - no more second guessing. I wear my gen everyday and dont think about how it looks on me or if it looks weird b/c i had several weeks to figure that out with a rep.

Secondly, I like watches in general. I like the looks of some hi-end watches - to wear everyday? maybe not, but to look at and hold, sure. Obviously if i can afford a couple gens, why not those? I dunno - dont think i can justify several gens worth 4-5k each just to stare and look at.

thirdly (omg i'm zZzz), i like replicas. iE: I have replica pistols. I wouldnt want to own the real thing - no need unless i want to shoot someone. Obviously a watch is a bit different and there's that ethical dilemma. But i find replicas interesting - more interesting from time to time than some gens. You get a gen Rollie for isntance... well, so does the next guy. They both post eyecandy - why? they both ahve the same damn watch... and it'll be the same watch when the next guy buys. But there's always variations to reps - from flawed versions to the near perfect ... so they're all different - and part of the fun sometimes is that they're different. ie: my screwy omega Moonwatch reduced. I luv that watch just cuz its hard to find and noticeable flaws from the gen. All part of the collecting game...Heck, i recall some knockoff toys that were highly saught after JUST because they were knockoff toys and hard to find. Sold almost as much as its real life counterpart.

anyways - as with many collector's mentalities, they all have their own personal reasons. it's not just "because i cant afford them" or "because they're overpriced."

ps: I think we should let PF do as he please. I think it will give the noob a nice perspective that we have had quite a few wankers come in with the same Rep VS Gen bash - only to end up in flames. If anything, i enjoy his hot headedness on the poor polite Virgin poster

 

[coop]

Magical avatar is most needed!
Didnt mean to get under yer skin. Maybe this guy will be a new rep fanatic like the rest of us?
Wish you and him the best!

 

[caravaggio]

Most people with a Rolex will be asked...

by bold courageous upfront people.

Your surrounding is probably made up of people who either knows you can afford one or they are too polite to ask you if oyur watch is a fake.

As a modest income earner, there is NO way, anybody in my world would believe that I happen to just wear a $5000 watch on my wrist... when the best thing I drive is worth less then that??? :roll: :roll: :roll:


A Rolex is NOT for the average guy who has to check his wallet to see if he has enough money to pay for his Big Mac...

So please, put the Rolex thing into its realistic perspective.

 

[Mojua]

holy cow...

Wow man, paneraifreak….that’s completely insane…first of all, you’re right, that was my first post on this board, but I’m honestly shocked by your aggression and complete lack of common courtesy. I spend a fair amount of time on forums, and have a reasonable appreciation for basic etiquette, but wow, I’m caught off guard. You obviously have your right to an opinion, but man, I have to believe you misunderstood my post…I really, truly, honestly was just looking for some folks’ thoughts on the subject…I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to strap a new PAM (rep) on my wrist, and frankly that’s exactly why I’m here...I CAN’T afford another gen. I love watches. I love horology, I love learning about the history of Panerai. I also love the Panerai community, and I think that passion extends into this forum…a good friend of mine (who has a lot of $$) got a 111g for his wedding back in 2004, and I immediately fell in love…it took me more than 2 years to save up the money to get my own 111, and when I was finally able to pick that box up from the AD last summer, I was off the charts proud / happy / honored to finally have something that I had coveted for so long.

Maybe it’s my own fault that I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that a 127 is within reach. Maybe I’ve put Panerai up on a pedestal that’s just too high.

I sincerely apologize to you, Paneraifreak, and to anyone else that I might have some how offended in posting this thread. I’ve been reading through the archives here for a while now, and have learned a ton. There seem to be a lot of good people here as well, and that’s why I posted…otherwise, if I thought I’d get slammed for posting, I would have taken the good info and ran.

Maybe people have posted this exact same thing in the past and I’m just a dumb noob…maybe my delivery is bad, or maybe you are having a bad day…no matter what, I’d like to clear the slate though, and introduce myself again; I’m Mojua, I’m from Boston, I love PAMs and watches in general. This forum has been a great resource, and I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Thanks!

 

[coop]

To quote the almighty Klink:

"Life is Good!"

 

[crick]

Mojua,

dont worry about it and dont worry about offending anyone. or at least me

forum boards as they say will be forum boards so no worries.

btw if you post in the "flamefree" section you'll avoid the nasty fires.

there's nothing to be sorry about.

we take it easy, life is good!

where the hell is klink?

crick.

edit: damn u coop, u beat me to it!

 

[seank]

@ PF. Wow brother. I don't think this is a "don't feed the trolls" guy. Maybe you saw something a little condescending in the tone of his thread, I myself did not. Anyway, I'm not going to one of those guys that says "I can afford any gen I want, I just don't think the gens are worth it". I could afford one gen if I want. Heck I've spent at least 3000.00 worth of reps/strap in the last year. Its the fun of the hunt for the perfect rep. The thrill of having the PAM 127 on your wrist, knowing its damn close to the gen and not having to pay 9,000.00 for it. Seeing the 5th gen PO and how scary accurate it is. For me it quantity I love being able to change my watches like underwear.lol BTW Happy VD.




Sean K

 

[Hellcat]

As my good friend Axel puts it:

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, WE GOT FUN AND GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[e36wchmstr]

Honestly, if I had the extra $$$ and didn't have anything else to spend it on; I would probably buy a gen.

Over anything else, it would probably be a Tag Heuer or Omega. I wouldn't jump at a fad watch like a Breitling or PAM, something more classic that will hold true with time. A Navi is a possibility, but it would probably be a second purchase. That said, I probably wont be buying one any time soon; not because I couldn't pull the funds together to get one (Seriously, who couldn't pull $1-$2k out of somewhere if they really HAD to) but because I change my mind about every 30 seconds. I enjoy having the luxury of picking and choosing which watch I want to wear daily, and if I spent 2k on a watch you better believe I wouldn't be wearing it around the job sites with my foremen, around the office to get scuffed up, etc.; it would be sitting in my watch case at home until I going out to dinner with my significant other or for more formal occasions. I also change my style often so being able to pick from 5 different reps to match my look is a lot more appealing than the 1 gen I would only wear with the suit.

Even if I did decide to purchase a 2k+ gen, I would most likely pick up an ETA rep of the same thing and wear it as a daily. I see no point in wearing a 2k+ watch around to get beat up, when I can have the same thing with a very comparable movement and design for 1/10 the price. My gen purchase would be something, like you said, for me to know I own the real one and wear on special occasions. It does give the feeling of something knowing you've got a real piece of art on your wrist and knowing that you take care of it. This world is way to random to wear this expensive of items on your wrist to get lost, stolen, etc. at any moment. If I wanted to spend this much on something tangable, it would be mods for my car, start of a down payment on a new real estate, or other. Someday though, I will have a gen SMP or Tag Link, to sit right next to the 3 reps I've got right now

 

[WatchDude13]

if I spent 2k on a watch you better believe I wouldn't be wearing it around the job sites with my foremen, around the office to get scuffed up, etc.; it would be sitting in my watch case at home until I going out to dinner with my significant other or for more formal occasions.

That is the reason I picked up the gen I have. I know, I know. Everyone thinks Rolex is WAY overrated, over priced, etc. This watch can take everything I throw at it and then some. I wear it when I do just about everything around the house, on vacations, etc. It gets dings and scuffs and it doesn't bother me, that is the fun of having a watch (IMO) - to wear it, to ENJOY it!

This world is way to random to wear this expensive of items on your wrist to get lost, stolen, etc. at any moment.

Mine has a policy on it. Someone wants to put a knife to me, they can have the watch. I lose it swimming in the Bahamas, I'll get another. Having it insured means ZERO worries!

If I wanted to spend this much on something tangable, it would be mods for my car,

Different strokes for different folks. In 20 or so years, I am passing my Rolex down to my son. This will be in our family forever (unless lost). To me modding a car is a waste unless it's a collectible car and will be passed down to a future generation. JMO of course and if that makes you happy, good for you!

I guess I wouldn't fault anyone for buying a rep nor buying a gen. Now those that buy a gen shouldn't rub anyone's nose in it as I don't think the rep crowd should go on and on about overpriced and overrated.

Finally, you think the reps are almost as good as a gen? Many here are afraid to wash their hands with their "Perfect Subs" and 111h's, let alone shower and swim (I am too, afraid my PAMs won't hold up in the shower even though Davidsen touts his as 3ATM water resistant). Try this with a rep:

 

[crick]

BTW Happy VD.




Sean K

Yaaaay Vinereal Disease!