What are your opinions on 505?

[Joey_V]

Stopped by the Oficine Panerai today and strapped this one on... very nice and very clean. I also liked the strap that it came with as I've never seen that one before. What do you guys think of this reference?

[kilyung]

It's a gorgeous piece and I love the 45mm size but I just don't get the whole composite thing? It's electro chemically treated Aluminium.

[gregvisser]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's electro chemically treated Aluminium.

I thought it was ceramic? Aluminium isn't hard enough for a watch is it?

Greg

[dr3ziz]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's a gorgeous piece and I love the 45mm size but I just don't get the whole composite thing? It's electro chemically treated Aluminium.

with Mike on this one ,, 441 on the other hand

[Joey_V]

So does it scratch or is it resistant like ceramic is?

$10K was the price... how is that and is it a tough to find piece?

I've been out of the Panerai game for a couple of years now, I've lost my touch on current events. :(

[nick c]

Love it

[Watches24seven]

Greg, Here is a description of the composite used on the PAM 505. Notice the last paragraph which states the composite is more durable than the coating on ceramic models and more resistant to scratching.

The information below has been copied from the new Panerai website (which is awesome!)

Panerai Composite is an exclusive, innovative material that combines to a high degree the company’s interest in research and innovation with the objective of achieving ever higher technical quality, which is fundamental to Panerai. Panerai Composite is made of aluminium which undergoes a surface treatment, creating a hard layer of ceramic resulting from aluminium transformation. For several years now in the world of haute horlogerie, ceramics have ranked among the most sophisticated and interesting options, both technically and aesthetically.
This material has been known and used by mankind for thousands of years and today, by means of simple processes or through highly sophisticated operations, it can also be produced artificially to achieve a high level of performance, meeting the highest standards of hardness and reliability in the field of watchmaking. Some types of ceramic, such as synthetic sapphire or rubies (both of which are varieties of aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃) have long been widely used, and aluminium oxide is also one of the basic elements of Panerai Composite. Such composites are widely employed in the aeronautical industry and for the creation of automotive and motorcycle components that require a particularly high level of performance.



Panerai Composite is obtained through the electrochemical process of ceramization of aluminium, resulting in a material with unique features. Panerai Composite is a material that is harder and lighter than the ceramic commonly used for manufacturing cases for watches (zirconia, ZrO₂), and it is also harder than metals such as aluminium, steel and titanium. It is a material that ensures comfort, with excellent aesthetic qualities as well as outstanding resistance to scratches and high temperatures. These characteristics make it ideal for the creation of watch cases, with its ability to be milled, its light weight and its hardness from ceramization.



In the event of harsh contact with or knocks against hard surfaces (such as marble or metals) the external ceramic layer of the Panerai Composite material may be damaged, especially on the edges. Since Panerai Composite is a very hard material, if it comes into severe contact with other materials, some traces may be left on the watch. These are not scratches in the composite material, but rather a deposit of the material with which the watch came into contact, and it can be removed at a Panerai Service Centre.

[Travelller]

Thanks for the excerpt Bruce!
Despite the seemingly impressive process and hardness of OP's composite cases, I'm going to stick to the basics (SS, Ti).

Steel is real

[kilyung]

My understanding of the material is that the electrochemical process changes the surface of the aluminium into a ceramic like coating. It's basically like an oxidation layer. Fundamentally the watch is still mostly aluminium except the surface.

[Watches24seven]

If you already have a Stainless Steel and Titanium watch, both the ceramic and composite are great additions to a collection. They do look different on the wrist than the traditional metals. Also, the composite 339, 505 & 504 look awesome on the OEM Assolutamente strap!

[Joey_V]

Goodness... I tried it on again a few days ago, the 505 is a beauty.

[jvo300]

After all the strange reports awhile back re:339 case, I stay away from the composites. Like Mike, I understand this to be a coating around basically an aluminum case -- feels like just marketing spin to me.

[Joey_V]

If I am offered 505 for $9500 out the door... is this a good deal?

I can't find resale value on this watch since no one is selling it so it is hard for me to gauge whether I'm getting a decent deal or not.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

If I am offered 505 for $9500 out the door... is this a good deal?

I can't find resale value on this watch since no one is selling it so it is hard for me to gauge whether I'm getting a decent deal or not.

I've been offered $8600 in HK BNIB from AD so I'd say it's a little high IMO. I'd pull the trigger below $9k.

[mfer]

I recenly just saw a 339 (same material) and was impressed by it. I think it would hold up very well. Obviously Panerai does as well else they wouldn't keep making them.

[Joey_V]

Mike... Under 9k eh?

It is a great watch to add to my collection... I just need to wrap my head around the fact that I will need a 1950s case at some point ala 270... And I need to wrap my head around the fact that under the composite is aluminum.

But then again, most of our watches are simply steel.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

... I need to wrap my head around the fact that under the composite is aluminum. But then again, most of our watches are simply steel.

Would rather drink beer from an aluminium can or from a steel keg? I'm a keg man myself!

[QuantumMechanic]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

Stopped by the Oficine Panerai today and strapped this one on... very nice and very clean. I also liked the strap that it came with as I've never seen that one before. What do you guys think of this reference?

I do really like mine !

[Joey_V]

What are the hands made of...?

I swear pics don't do it justice.

[bcacncnc]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

What are the hands made of...?

I swear pics don't do it justice.

Yeah - most of the PVD/Ceramic type watches don't seem to come out well in pics like they do in person.

[bcacncnc]

BTW - is the the strap assolutemte strap? It seems much lighter in color in all the pics I've seen. Kind of a light tan.

[Psmith]

Nice looking piece, but I prefer steel

[bcacncnc]

What movement is inside? P9000? And is it as thick as the 312?

[Joey_V]

It's pretty thick, much nicer overall case than the non in-house 292 as it allows it go sit differently on your wrist. The strap is the assolutamente... I think the flash made it lighter in his pic.