Officine Panerai

I just realised  I placed my last order quite some time ago.

 

I did  not order or buy anything at SIHH 2011 and the same for 2012

 

hmmmm, 2 years without a new Panerai.

 

Y reason I just got tired of their LIMITED ( ' probably until SIHH next year' ) EDITIONS. Just wondering if some of you share this feeling.

 

You know all the california dials, SLC dials, boutique editions....

and the 507 or is it 508 ( the second bronze) only made it worse for me.

Maybe the price became a problem too  ... the 372 for example is a nice watch but almost euro 8K for only 2 hands ?? When  I look at Zenith, and JLC I can find much more for that price.  Or euro 13K for the ceramic diver  ????

 

Like said, it's been 2 years and to be honest ... in these last 2 years  I even sold a few of them.

 

I wonder if the hunger will ever return

I know some 3 hands watches which are around 80 K euros!

Difficult to judge the price of a 372 compared to other watches.

A lot of modern watches are indecently priced, so discussions about prices are not very interesting, IMO.

I find the 372 to be a very nice and interesting watch, though.

But I know this feeling you are living now.

I felt the same since... 2006, and didn't buy anything new from them for 7 years, now.

There are other watches from other brands to hunt, lock and get.

Keep the faith.

Nicolas

And maybe  the 186

in the last 2 years I just bought a Pre-V and 3 Pre-As. I've become addicted to the...T-swiss-T dials  

... but i call it differently. I think tastes evolve, just not attracted anymore.

Reissuing watches like the younger brother of the 285, numerous reissues of the Cali dial  and many other limited editions.  I know they have to make a profit but it seems a massive blowout of too many extra models.  I know there is the thing about "DNA" with a Panerai but it doesnt have to be diluted.   Rolex "DNA" has been kept well.  As for the other brands you mention, I would say Zenith and JLC really do offer value for money.

They launch too many roo limited with different color schemes

I haven't bought a new Panerai in a while too, but that doesn't mean my passion for Panerai is gone completely.  I still appreciate and look forward to each year's new offerings with much anticipation.

What you're feeling is probably what many long time Panerai fans have or have already gone through.  This is why you don't see many old timers posting anymore because the new models being released each year are similar variations of models from the past.  After you buy a couple Luminors and Radiomirs, you pretty much have the essence of Panerai in your collection, and buying another one becomes too much of a "duplicate" or provides some "overlap" with prior models you already have.

This is why I'm really hoping for a totally brand new Panerai case.  A new case which is a reiteration of the past.  An absolute brand new case.

When this happens, if it ever does, then you'll fire for Panerai will re-ignite assuming you like this new case.

Just give it some time and you'll find your way back.  In the mean time, I'm sure your passion for watches still remains intact so it's totally alright to buy new watches from other brands.  Panerai isn't the only watch brand out there!

Cheers,
Anthony

indeed Anthony i think many of the oldtimers are on a saturation point with Panerai, besides their marketing strategy which a lot of us don't like either

just wonderring if the hunger will come back one day ?? in my case i don't think it'll be soon ... but never say never

from  Panerai and you have all their DNA?

because I feel I have gotten the best piece of the modern Pam can offer. I love what I've got and I need to see what else Panerai, both new and old has to offer. For now, I'm pretty done, but I still love pam.

The PAM 510 caught me by surprise. For that price I think you get quite a good bang for your buck. As for the 372, I never thought of picking it up brand new for something considered to be non exclusive. You are right, the 8K Euro price point is a bit steep and I rather buy it on the grey market. Also, nothing wrong that you're losing the 'addiction', some variety is always a good thing. But I personally feel Panerai as a brand has found its place in the world of horology; its hard to ignore it.

if you have or had a  111, 318,001,005 .... I'm not gonna buy it again just because of the 8 days movement

found the merit of in-house 8 day movement to be rather interesting, especially compared w/ the ETA powered predecessor.   Obviously if you have one of those earlier A/B/C series w/ T dial it's a different story otherwise I don't see any problem w/ selling the PAM1/PAM111 to get PAM510.    In fact, I would argue w/ the relatively strong resale value for Panerai, it's a lot easier to upgrade in the wolrd of PAM.

I'm still in love with Panerai, but have now become more judicious in my purchasing/collecting.  

With all due respect, I am always surprised when I hear that Panerai enthusiast are disappointed with the new additions.

In my opinion, Panerai is doing a tremendous job! Honestly, better than tremendous! They are doing and have done a Spectacular job!

In the last two or three years, we have been spoiled with great timepieces! And I am refering to design, function, history and special interest.

Every Panerai collector that I know was begging for "THE grail watch" for years! Panerai listened and introduced the PAM 372. In my opinion they made too many, but on the other hand, everybody that wants one, can have one at a relatively low price.  Historic, Base, Sandwich, Plexi...  a job well done to say the least!

How can we get mad at a second Bronzo? So many collectors were furious that they didn't get one, The bronze PAM 382 was the most requested watch that Panerai has created since the PAM 203 was announced for production! Panerai is making an attempt to keep many of their loyal collectors happy. I applaud this!

They are more than likely creating a series. I am sure we will see the GMT Bronzo next year. This is what Panerai has always done becuase collectors like to collect series of watches. Some collectors want collect all the Slytechs, some want all the boutique editions, and some want all the Regatta watches. Soon collectors will want the series of Bronze watches too.

In the last couple of years we have seen a unique composite case that you can find on the PAM 339, 504, 505. Ceramic bezel on a sub, ceramic cases and even a ceramic bracelet! The ceramic 47 mm sub is going to be AWESOME! 

We have been presented with Bronze cases that patina, Green Dials, Sandwich Dials, "Dirty Dials", Brown Sunburst dial (PAM 395), SLC dials (Super Cool!), Cali Dials (okay, a few too many) and yes Pig Dials. Remember how collectors were willing to pay an extra 5k or so for the Pig dial on the PAM 292? Also now available are models with historic vintage style Blued & Gold Hands. And how many collectors are thrilled with the PAM 399 which is reminiscent of the vintage 6154! The Power reserve movement on the back of a 47 mm Luminor is super cool too.  Have you ever seen a cooler looking chronograph than this years Regatta Special Edition? We can choose from more vintage style straps, more professional instruments. Panerai is also still involved with Regatta, Mike Horn and the Pangaea. And a new website has been createdin the last year to help collectors stay engaged and there are I pad & phone apps.  Check out the News and Events section on their new site. It is GREAT!

And they came up with these wonderful things all while creating new (or improved) in house 3 days, 8 days, 10 days, automatic, chronograph & rattrapante movements... not to mention this is all happening while they are opening Boutiques around the world.

I can honestly say that because I sell watches, I have encountered HUNDREDS of Panerai collectors receive models that came out in the last couple of years and they are THRILLED to receive these new additions. As a collector, I can say that I added a PAM 422 to my own collection this year and I was just as thrilled to get it as when I bought my last Panerai watch in 2012 or my first Panerai in 2000.

Give Panerai a break guys. It is an AWESOME brand that is evolving continually. If a watch doesn't hit your fancy this year, you can still enjoy the camaraderie you find with other collectors which is certainly unique to this brand too.

I hope you choose to embrace the brand and enjoy it.

Bruce Ginsberg

"Everything is a matter of attitude" Frank Ginsberg

 

 

When it comes to customer service they can learn a lot from the others

I think the new 8 day movement in the 111 form will bring me back as they do more with that movement --- maybe a variant of the 000 with that movement? And same with the 1940s case. But for now, my "base only" collection feels pretty complete.