Just picked up this Luminor Marina, what can you guys tell me about this watch?

[Ryknow119]

Hi All,

Let me start by introducing myself since this is my first post on here - My name is Sean and I live in Southern California. I've always been into watches, I have a Baume & Mercier and a Hamilton Frogman. That being said I've always wanted a Panerai but couldn't ever find a used one that fit my budget. However, my girlfriend and I are currently on vacation in Thailand and we stumbled down a street that had a number of stores with 300-400 replicas most of which seemed to be great quality. I picked this watch up for $150ish (5500 baht) and was wondering what you guys could tell me about it that I haven't maybe already learned from reading this site for the past 3-4 hours haha (thanks!!). For example I know its obviously not a P.3000 movement and whatnot. P.S. sorry for the crappy pics, I'm still on vacation and using my ipad to write this.

One last thing...I had the choice between this manual movement or an automatic movement..I was really unsure as to the reliability of either since this is my first replica so I went with the manual option as I thought less moving parts might make it more reliable (also opted for a simple design w/o dates and power reserve...less things to fail was my thought process). Is one more reliable than the other? Manual vs Auto?

Is there anything I should be aware of with this watch? When wearing? Winding? So far seems to be keeping time on par with my phone so far so good!

Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

[slaughterer62]

It looks like you got what you paid for: a fairly inaccurate replica that will crap out on you in 1-2 months. Read more here and you will see.

 

[Ryknow119]

It looks like you got what you paid for: a fairly inaccurate replica that will crap out on you in 1-2 months. Read more here and you will see.

I understand that its not the real deal or anything but the movement seems to be a asian 6497 movement (correct?) and from a lot of other posts I've seen this one seems to be pretty good in terms of face lettering etc.

In any case, like I said, I know its a $150 knockoff but more detail into why its inaccurate and why/how it will crap out/what I can do to prevent it would be more helpful than just empty blanket statement. Thanks though for sharing

 

[ALE7575]

This is not the rep that we usually are looking for
For the price is almost OK, maybe a bit expensive, 85-100 USD would be more correct)
The movement is an A6497 decorated like P.3000 but still with blue screws and seemingly LOW beat.

There is no equivalent gen of this watch, therefore no comparison is needed.
Anyway everything is inaccurate on this watch following PANERAI standards: Luminor 44mm case, bezel, caseback, crown guard, CG lever, horrible crystal, "sandwich" dial, CP, hands, horrible PIG, lume colours are very different between them....

Learn a little here and save money for a good rep is if you like PANERAI
Keep your current watch like a souvenir

Sorry to be so clear but you have asked for that

ALE

 

[Xswapper5]

Read ales guide and you will learn all you need to know about panerai reps, he is the for most authority on pams

 

[automatics]

Most 6497's. even china movements, are pretty idiot proof. Not bullet proof, but more durable than their more complex auto/chrono cousins.
So no real worry on the wearing & winding.

the only thing you have to worry about is wearing that piece around folks who are even slightly familiar with PAMs.

 

[irvin]

You definitely need a visit to our TDs here in the forum, I assure you will definitely be hooked