Beware a Panerai
Beware A Panerai
What do you make of the recent controversy involving the limited edition Panerai PAM 318 that was found to have an undecorated movement inside? Panerai has offered to replace the movements of those who want that, but it seems like it may have hurt its reputation.This controversy is really nothing more than business as usual for Panerai. After all, the brand has been selling $100 pocket watch movements in $5,000 cases for over a decade. The fact that it hid this one behind a case back that was decorated more than the movement barely moved the needle with the Panerai faithful, despite the relative uproar elsewhere in the watch world. No, the 150 cultists who bought the piece seemed satisfied with the brand's halfhearted offer and lack of explanation (Thank you, sir. May I have another?). Did it hurt its reputation? Not to me. In fact, it only cemented it.
Ben
Ben recommended the PAM 337/338 like a month ago, semi-reversing his long held opinion that panerai is exclusively for horologically challenged wall street excel jockeys who need to compensate for lack of "personality" with a big watch when they go hunting in the meatpacking district.
While I agree almost 100% with the watch snob on matters of HOROLOGY, I think our views differ in what buying and wearing watches is all about.
for the watch snob, horology is something near 100% of what watches are all about. for me, horology is about 25% and design, functionality, and status signaling are also worth about 25% each.
When you're chilling at spice market after blowing up a pension fund and you want to show the 17 year old models fresh off the bus from western pennsylvania who is the alpha dog, a patek philippe or lange and sohne isnt going to get it done. A richard mille looks like a toy.
This is a job for the PAM 318.
This message has been edited by edwardwchang on 2011-11-23 19:28:12
The Watchsnob...
I'm sure that guy knows a lot about high end watches.
Haute Horlogerie is wonderful! I may not have a lange 1, but I truely apreciate the art, science and craftsmanship put together in that beautiful watch (one of my favorites).
But let's be honest, not all of us are looking for haute horlogerie always, we long after more day to day usabe pieces,
watches that say something to us, that "speak to us" so to say, because watches speak! Did you know that? Indeed I talk a lot with my watches 
So... some days I want my watch to speak to me about old days, about adventures under the dark sea, about heroes, about romanticism.
I want my watch to tell me: "yes, you can be a hero too, work hard and give the best of yourself to others".
When a go out to have a nice dinner with a beautiful girl, I loooove to have my PAM on my wrist, It is part of the glamour!
My Panerai does, even if it was not made back in 1938 or even if it has not a rolex cortebert movement.
Maybe that's what happens about true Panerai aficionados or better Panerai lovers.
I'm sure it's a sad thing what happened with the 318's movement, and sure about we still want to know what happened with that,
we dream about panerai saying to that watch owners: Sorry, we are giving you an in house movement or some royal answer to that matter,
But it hardly afects how much I love my 111 which by the way has a nicely decorated $100 movement,
but what a nice one!!!
This are my very own thoughts about Panerai, some of you may agree, some may not, but in the end we like Panerai because of something.
Have a nice day.
René
The condescending tone of the post speaks more to the writers issues...
I actually think the issue, the real issue hasn't been
understood, by the various parties yet. It's not a value-for-money issue but a cost vs value one. Why do people refer to...intrinsical and extrinsical value? One has to do with the cost, the other with how much is a buyer willing to pay. That's it, as far as I'm concerned. Collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for the pleasure of owning a "piece" of something. Why is a Van Gogh worth several millions of dollars, when the cost of it was what: canvas, bit of paint, lots of dreams....?
Cheers - Sergio
ps Patek sold a Quartz Nautilus and Rolex sells Quartz models. Do they price it...accordingly?
I agree. + to me the problem is trust, respect, care and horology standards…
I agree. + to me the problem is trust, respect, care and horology standards…
I do not care how much more or less it can
cost, but I care for a minimum guarantee and respect. When it comes to Panerai, I expect a certain appearance,
a reliable mechanic, packed with some of the standards and practices of the
industry Panerai belongs.
Panerai positions and portraits itself as an established company; A manufacture, I therefore do not want to have the felling that I would have purchased a cheap look a like knockoff!
To have housed that piece of ‘…..’ and screwed that case back on it, to me it sort of says a lot about respect and care. For a few dollars more it would have been a collectible bargain!