Update - Let this one sink off the page
Seemed to be the darling of this forum only a few years ago. Now barely get a mention. Like IWC, have they been sucked into the death spiral, where all that now matters is the R word.
Last edited by noTAGlove; 16th September 2019 at 17:44.
The brand that got me into spending multiple K's on watches.
What's happened? I think they're still doing ok, they've just been normalised. There was a lot of hype which has cooled down (especially in vintage and earlier SEs) and fatigue from tons of references being pumped out. Plus a perceived cheapening and cost cutting on some models.
But as I said, they're probably doing ok, just not as hyped as they used to be.
I do remember another thread here about the demise of Panerai but I don’t think your thread needs to be dismissed. I always wanted one and finally found a used one and should be arriving tomorrow and with that said people are still buying them
I don’t think the brand has really had a demise I think the tight knit community of collectors did. You could once go to Paneristi and in a blink of an eye a page was turned so fast you’d miss a thread it was so active. The conversations were more than the watch it was the way the brand brought those people together. After the Brooklyn Bridge horror show and Richemont buying them a lot changed and the economy faltering didn’t help any of the watch brands for all who can remember. I forget how those here used to call the 2000’s and the money being bandied around as the noughties or something like that.
The forum here has changed where most threads now are about Rolex, Tudor and Seiko coming up in third place. I remember when it wasn’t like that Omega had equal billing at one time too. I think Rolex will eventually bow to the next forum favorite even given it’s rock star status across the forums as the price point continuing into the stratosphere keeping most people from acquiring one or face the prospect of divorce.
I think across all the forums you can see they aren’t what they used to be compared to ten years ago but I think this forum is thriving better than others overall with participation.
There are quite a few Paneristis on this forum, and we seem to seek each other out.
Having dipped into a few panerai forums and Facebook groups, there is a different feel to the postings, not much chat about costs and values, more about appreciating the watches and especially the straps. I fall into the latter trap, in being unable to count the number of straps that I have accumulated over the years. It has even bled over into my trying different straps on Rolex, although it is difficult to beat the bracelet option there.
The past couple of years have seen some changes, with the due line and this year's offerings being both very pricey and quite innovative. I am also unsure about the "experience" aspect with some pieces.
As to the future, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Yep, Pam fan here myself. Having had a 177 and currently a 312 for coming up to 5yrs that I adore although haven't worn since July because of my recent Tudor purchases.
But I love the Panerai's, think they're a great watch
For me it's not about 'popularity', they are great watches with a rich history.
I see the lesser exposure as a positive, the opposite applies to the R word in my mind.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Panerai fan here
I love my panerais i have 4 at the moment
For me they can be the ultimate tool watch (pam25)
Or just beautiful pieces (pam1392)
Or just special (pam 913 )
Or unique (pam753)
I too have tudors and they are fantastic watches and a few omegas but my heart belongs to panerai could be a song
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Pam fan here loved my 24 & 111, both gone but replaced with a 372 & a 753 on its way . Love the fact you don’t see many around.the brand itself I think is doing ok , no better or worse than some other brands,And I can read the dual on the Pam which is a plus at my age
I’ve only owned one, a PAM 050 which was a fantastic watch but I wasn’t wearing it enough so sold it to my BILaw
I immediately regretted it and would buy it back if it was offered to me again.
Panerai is the brand that I always dip back into whenever i get bored of Rolex.
I genuinely like them. I dont think anything has happened per se.. lots of negativity surrounding Richemont which I agree with but generally i think they have their own 'character' and its one that i enjoy immensely.
I think they were arguably over-hyped and trends have changed. Under 35's wear smart watches and rose gold. Smart phones killed digital cameras and smart watches are killing mechanical. Panerai will do fine with WIS but will probably never be at the level they were at in 2001.
I have a PAM74 which I love for more than reasons of style but it is the distinctive style of Panerai that drew me in. The movement is the icing on the cake. A chronometer rated Zenith El Primero column wheel chronograph with a date running at the full 10 beats per second in a titanium case with a display back. It could be the most out of fashion watch in the world and I would not care because to me it is a work of art. I have a feeling it's value will drop but I'm not into watches as investments.
I suspect Panerai will burble along for another 20 years until they get rediscovered by future trend setters.
What i've discovered from quiet discussions with people in panerai and the outer ring of the original paneristi explains a little of the original hype
In the early days there was a very close relationship between panerai and an inner core of panerisit, these were very much the original people who set up the website. This core were given early access to the special editions, the ability to buy 2 of the limited additions at the time "one for stock, one to rock" and hence panerisit became almost a promotion tool, even having the CEO post at times. This core were instrumental in giving feedback to panerai about the designs and the things they wanted to see. You can see this in the social editions as they went away from diamonds and expensive specialist movements inside standard cases to more and more recreations of classic pieces and heritage pieces.
The core helped hype the watches and in exchange got any model they wanted plus a second to make a profit from. This then went further with special edition watches for panerisit, which were available in a lottery with a cheap price, the core always won and got a spare. This worked well for around 5 years, it was almost impossible to get a special edition panerai, but then it fell apart. The story i heard from the factory was they started to demand more and more, more visits and SIHH tickets with flights and hotels, more people in the circle etc and hence the factory started withdrawing and released the 532 without the usual paneristi lottery system.
This caused the old guard to start falling away, they started selling their entire collections of special editions plus they were draining less special editions so it become easier and easier to get them, plus the factory started pouring out special editions which really weren't that special or even different and the bubble burst
My own opinion, i'm a fan of the design and have their own design language they are diversifying, but i'm not a fan of the instagram experience special editions or the use of brighter and brighter colours and i find my interest waning in the latest releases, but am open to bnib watches from the previous period
^ i think this begins to explain why we cant have nice things!
I would echo this. One of many reasons why I’m a fan. I don’t want be just a sheep.Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The panerai thing was massive until the 2007 usa recession. Suddenly the crazy posts on sites like the big watch forum stopped and also big watches became the norm so it was like a double whammy for panerai. That said I own 3 and love them. They really have a great look and never date or look stale. Also I am amazed at seeing them on other people. Its cool in Asia to see the variety of wearers, from delicate cool girls to young trendy guys and men who you would normally expect to wear a rolex bimetal or sub. The watch market is crowded and super competitive just like all luxury goods and a panerai is a big expense new and for their money you have a lot of choice from other big players. I wear my 372 daily on rubber and find it my go to watch now.
I just love seeing them on women.
Especially if it’s just the watch and nothing else
Let me assure you that me in the watch and nothing else would have Greenpeace trying to get me back into the oceans, however, I'm back to plexi panerai again with a 663 :-)
I was the (very) lucky winner of the forum Panerai auction a couple of years ago. I would never have considered a PAM prior to that, but it’s a great watch that I wouldn’t want to be without now.
I’m a huge fan, especially the plain simple sandwich dial models. Like most Swiss manufacturers they are over priced, have poor residuals and probably too large for many wrists. Hence you can see a trend for folk seeking 40-42mm brands with better Residual values, I.e R ... as an example.
- - - Updated - - -
Classic example above of what Panerai do best.Let me assure you that me in the watch and nothing else would have Greenpeace trying to get me back into the oceans, however, I'm back to plexi panerai again with a 663 :-)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote