Officine Panerai

I've always thought the submersible is a bit under appreciated but in my mind, it represents the DNA of Panerai the best.    Having seen various after-market PVD/DLC'ed out PAM24/25, I didn't think it looks half bad.    It's only a matter of time before OP came out w/ their own version.

I knew they were struggling a little bit w/ the rotating bezel on ceramic/composite casing and I'm glad they seemed to have got it all figured out.

As to people's outburst of disatisfaction on the remake of bronzo, perhaps the question we need to ask ourselves is:  Is this behaviour anything new?

OP, since day 1, was all about 'remaking' the pieces from the past.    The difference is the 'duration' between the original piece & the clone.

It used to be 60yrs, between the real vintage & remake (or should I say hommage?) (3646 vs. PAM21, 6152/1 vs. PAM127) then it shrunk to ~10yrs? (5201/201A vs. PAM0000, PAM21 vs PAM232) then it went further below 10yrs (26A,B vs. 26K, 28A/B/C vs 28L, etc etc) then down to ~5yrs (249 vs 448, PAM217 vs PAM368, PAM194 vs PAM285)

As a matter of fact, I was just talking to a fellow collector:  I'm sort of glad that they slap on that PR on the 507.   Imagine if they keep it an exact clone by perhaps changing the dial colour to brown or try to do it even BETTER by taking out the date AND making it regular production?    I should count myself blessed for being a lucky owner of PAM382.  (Or am I doing this too soon? )

There were also concerns about the perceived value of the ORIGINAL dropping as a result of the act of cloning.   While we don't want to drill too much on pricings, but have we noticed 3646 or even PAM21 dropping in value since the introduction of PAM232?  

Don't forget they're a business afterall, in fact, part of a huge conglomorate with unique corporate culture.   As such, practice like this should not be surprising at all, after all the years of observations.    In fact, I would argue that if it weren't for the group's business sense, we probably won't witnessed such a price appreciation of this magnitude over the last 15yrs, due to the organic growth of the brand.

Your thoughts?

This message has been edited by Jester on 2013-01-23 23:23:00

in it I didn't really pay attention to before, especially when I wasn't really a bronzo fan that much.

The remake allows me to spend little more them reading the related posts, and to be honest, it's really an understated piece. At least to me, it drew my attention and I'm learning more of it, that is something good out of this episode.

I'm pretty sure I won't buy the 507, but I'm not sure about the original piece though. But your reference to the the original vs remake part really make me feel how a brand has evolved and progressed, or the lack of it has so much emotional impact to the watch community is just amazing. Perhaps it part of the the WiSdom?

Thanks

Mech.

I do agree w/ your assessment on the 'lack' of progress.    However, as I've often mentioned, I think this is partly 'our' fault.   The collectors, or the market, would put a premium whenever we have some models w/ strict lineage to the history.    (Ok, this is MOSTLY true with exceptions)   While a lot of the innovations, in typical horological sense, would go relatively unappreciated.

So we've been sending the signals to OP that WE generally don't appreciate ground breaking innovations or daring new style.   We just want those historical pieces that remind us of watches from the 40's.     And guess what the answer is?   Naturally the remake of past successful models.   

No doubt they're still developing 'new' complication slowly to appeal to broader audience but I think OP has essentially answered to the 'core' collectors group most of the time.   What do you think?

I think you're absolutely correct.    What we're seeing is perhaps an over-responsiveness to the core collectors, with perhaps over-repetitive pieces for those whom obsess over what is "historically correct", with an attempt to find favor among the broader, more classically Swiss style, watch fans.

It looks really wicked with the faux patina luminova IMO. And I think it'll look better with the Panerai rubber strap. Too bad Panerai didn't make a black nylon strap w/ matching faux patina luminova stitching!

 

As far as the new Bronzo PAM507 w/ power reserve, I wish Panerai used a different complication instead of the off-centered power reserve.  I've always felt the off-centered power reserve ruined the symmetry of the dial.  Perhaps a central GMT hand would have been a better complication instead?

In any case, I'm not surprised Panerai made another Bronzo version.  Those who purchased the Bronzo on the expectation that it was going to be the only Bronze Panerai, you need to realize from past behavior that it is Panerai fashion to make multiple models and reiterations.

I'm anticipating the PAM512 42mm Radiomir 1940 w/ the P.999 movement to be a "hot" model.  This will draw in new people to the brand who were afraid of wearing 44mm or 47mm.  Awesome job on this watch!

 

Cheers,
Anthony

Since I got a 6.5 inch wrist I can just pull off a 44mm,  Ive been wanting a Rad for a while, saw this and I like it a lot!

I have it on my 233, and it is super convienent...wondering why they didn't put it on the 512...

because I actually enjoy using a screwdriver to unscrew the screws and screwing them back when doing a strap change.  I've done it so many times that I'm accustomed to it already.

Cheers,
Anthony

since I ususally try to keep once piece at the time.T____T

 

i love it in 47mm and ceramic!!!!!!!!!!!

i am started to think 44mm is fairly small since the second week i got it

I'd choose the former, so my answer would be no it would not be stupid

Cheers,
Anthony

and as usual, my mantra stays the same, from a customer's point of view, they can do whatever they feel they have to do to:

I really love Panerai marketing and the brand, but their RND is otherwise strange. Look at 386, 375, 438 and even 339. You do not roll out new models and can't produce it later. In any other companies, if  new products can't be roll out after media communication, "heads will roll". 

I hope they will do better and pay more efforts to RND.

Regards

John

 

 

"It used to be 60yrs, between the real vintage & remake (or should I say hommage?) (3646 vs. PAM21, 6152/1 vs. PAM127) then it shrunk to ~10yrs? (5201/201A vs. PAM0000, PAM21 vs PAM232) then it went further below 10yrs (26A,B vs. 26K, 28A/B/C vs 28L, etc etc) then down to ~5yrs (249 vs 448, PAM217 vs PAM368, PAM194 vs PAM285)"