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What's the big deal about Panerai? Why do people like them?

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Cloudhopper

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7/6/09
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Daytona4me: I pulled this post from member Cloudhopper originally found in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55979&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
I think many have had this same question, only a fraction of them taking the plunge and trying one for themselves.

When i first thought about buying a rep, about 1.5 years ago, i had my eyes firmly set on a Breitling for Bentley Chrono. A 6.75 or a GT, maybe a Tourbi. I didn't know about scam sites and the fora etc back then, but i was very careful what i do and wanted to understand what i'm up to before i purchase anything.

So beginning this summer i discovered the fora, my above preferences still stood strong, a Bentley it was, maybe a Omega PO chrono. I never heard of Panerai before, never seen one and it was no difference to me if Panerai was a brand of watches or swiss cheese for all i cared.

Shortly after i joined the fora, i saw this Panerai hype going and i just didn't get it. What was so special about those watches? Then the ones that weren't "ugly" in my eyes were even manuals, not automatic, what a waste! But looking at a Bentley and a PAM 111h on a picture side by side in a watchbox changed my mind. I suddenly started to look at that differently.

Now i have an Omega PO (non-chrono), a PAM 90 (automatic) and a PAM 111h (manual). And a B&R 01 (never heard of that before either).

Guess which one gets the most wrist time?
The PAM 111h, the watch i didn't even know existed 3 months ago. I love it to bits, closely followed by my B&R. The PAM 90 is great and PO as well, i wear them to work quite often, but my heart is with the 111h.
And if you'd ask me which one to keep, although being a tough decision as i like em all, it'd be my 111h.

Why?
Because it feels and looks gorgeous on my wrist.
 
daytona4me

daytona4me

SOVED-24 - Sudden Onset Varying Excuses Disorder
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The post above was copied by me and placed in a new topic (this one) and the author changed from me to the original author Cloudhopper as he should get credit for a good post.

This part here is what got me...
"Shortly after i joined the fora, i saw this Panerai hype going and i just didn't get it. What was so special about those watches? Then the ones that weren't "ugly" in my eyes were even manuals, not automatic, what a waste! But looking at a Bentley and a PAM 111h on a picture side by side in a watchbox changed my mind. I suddenly started to look at that differently."

My experience is very similar to his, now.. I own several Panerai, IWC, Breitling , A GENUINE BREITLING EVOLUTION limited edition and while I could be wearing a genuine $6500 watch on my wrist, I opt for my fake panerai watch as there is just something special about these watches, and you wont know what it is until you own one!
 
C

COLDI

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And for the record D4M, I love your 195...very jealous!
 
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OwlPellet

Banned member, the goat does not approve
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aha thats like me, these guys probably remember the breitling bentley lover i am. every since i put my money on a uboat 55 flightdeck from my own wholesaler, i have been wearing it every day all day... go uboat.
 
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mcgrvy

Getting To Know The Place
3/6/09
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A few years ago(~1998) a co-worker who owned a gen Explorer showed up with a gen Daytona his wife bought him as a wedding present. So jealous. I couldn't afford a Daytona and I wanted something different from the average Wall Street watch so I bought a gen Girard Perregaux.

About 2 years later, he got a Panerai. I heard of them but never thought much about the simple design or the big bulky lump he had on his wrist. I even recall thinking, "What a waste of money! I'd never buy a Panerai..." I thought they were ugly and I was very happy with my GP.

Anyway, I joined here a couple of months ago and still didn't feel the Panerai right away. I purchased two Rolexes from Fakey as well as an SMP. In addition, I got an SMP Chrono Diver from timeshops. Don't get me wrong, I love them and wear all 4 all the time as well as the GP. But I started to see the beauty of Panerai from this site and put a last minute PM on a member sale from R2 that already had multiple PM's.

After all the watches I bought in the previous month, I really shouldn't have made that PM. However, I was thinking I'd never get it with so many people in front of me but with the mods and the price, what did I have to lose? Sure enough, everyone before me flaked and I was given the opportunity for a modded 111h at a great price. I like to think I'm not a flake, so I sucked it up and bought it. And now I can't tell you how happy I am that I did.

It's hard to explain, but when you open the package and wind it for the first time, put it on your wrist for the first time, it's just a different experience. And when the lume torches you're in awe. Turn it over and look at the swan neck, it's outstanding. You open the lever, wind it and then close the lever and everything is so smooth. Then throw in the multitude of straps you can get from any of the outstanding hand made strap makers on this site and I just kick myself for being so late to the game. Obviously, I'm absolutely hooked.

Do I wear it 24/7? No. It's in the rotation. C'mon it's impossible to own a Fakey and not wear it. They're too awesome. But I have a whole new appreciation (read obsession) for Panerai and I definitely plan on building up my collection.
 
H

Hambone

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Panerai=Sexy watch with style & presence.
 
I

If you see Kay

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It's that cool crown guard and lever that did it for me.

Some say that if you have to ask, then you're not a real Pam lover.
 
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d4m.test

Guest
I only like them because so many Holly Wierd actors wear them.
 
C

CRUN

Do not accept unsolicited offers
16/9/09
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What I like about them is they are quite unusual and statement making in a good way / less bling. I might be wrong but I was wondering how many folk would know a Gen PAM let alone a rep one, which I like as they're less obvious than say a Rolex, that is quite easily assumed a rep.

I turned my hub onto Panerai, he gets comments all the time - good ones hehe - he'd never heard of Panerai before I gave him a rep.

..oh and brad pitt has one, that did it for me :roll:
 
Spiccato

Spiccato

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10/3/09
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Lots of folks here are really into "tool watches," and IMHO
Panerai are a great example of that.
 
ewatch

ewatch

Active Member
25/10/08
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I was wondering the same thing before finding this thread the majority of the members here love panerai, lol im not to fond of them but then again i never heard of panerai until reading posts about them, i guess they'll grow on me I saw a SS version an actor was wearing on TV the other night and caught myself saying hey thats nice, oh wait thats a panerai..lol
 
alvinado

alvinado

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the lume!!!

CIMG0422.jpg
 
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watchfanatic

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during early 90's, i bought this PAM 24 gen with a rather low price tag. Everyone around me asking why Panerai not rolex? I bought a few since then as not many of them know the brand. I bought in later 63, 88 .

during late 90's early 2000's, there are many appearances of Panerai watches on celebrities wrist. evceryone looking for this brand especially in HK, JPN. i start selling these watches. The price I sold make me laugh to heaven.

Now , Panerai watch is one of the celebrities favourite, and I believe there are the one lead the watch fashion.
 
P

paulynuts

Do not accept unsolicited offers
10/10/09
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just joined this site, interested in a panerai rep. any advice on evaluating the best knockoff and not being scammed. I haven't bought a knockoff since 1993 a rolex in honk kong on the street.

I understand the aart has progressed.
recommend a few quality dealers where i wont get scammed.
 
B

beachcat

Known Member
30/7/09
172
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watchfanatic said:
during early 90's, i bought this PAM 24 gen with a rather low price tag. Everyone around me asking why Panerai not rolex? I bought a few since then as not many of them know the brand. I bought in later 63, 88 .

during late 90's early 2000's, there are many appearances of Panerai watches on celebrities wrist. evceryone looking for this brand especially in HK, JPN. i start selling these watches. The price I sold make me laugh to heaven.

Now , Panerai watch is one of the celebrities favourite, and I believe there are the one lead the watch fashion.
Click to expand...

If you're a celebrity you get these things free in swag bags at events.
This is smart business and the opportunity to get your item in these freebies to celebs .........is huge.
 
C

COLDI

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Its all about the straps. You can go from vintage leather on the weekend, to rubber for the tailgaite, to alligator for the office on Monday
 
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