panerai has mass appeal, these other brands are fairly exclusive markets. Most PANERAI owners would never use their watch for what it's intended for originally and now is merely a show pony version of it's original.
Just look at the BaselWorld comments of the Panerisit talking about the new PANERAI Depth Guage model. They go on about how it's 'fugly' and the markings aren't straight [talk about vain and superficial!] and proclaim their ignorance over whether it's even functional as a dive watch ... because they are too busy taking shots of their watches inside of their cars and next to plates of food. That is why Panerai are selling Ferrari-watches like hotcakes, they are targeting their buyers tastes. Historic is for the cranks and mumblers.
Bell & Ross has done the same thing. Their new lines are nothing like the tool watches of 5 years ago when most people would not have know what a B&R was. But create a little instrument clock to look flash on the wrist and they are away.
Sinn basically sold out of the back of a car boot until just recently. Even with it's rise in popularity, Replicas of SINN are so rare that one of them sells for more than the GENs they are a copy of!
