Is this a good deal for a PAM 88?

[AJMarcus]

Guys, I have an opportunity to buy a gently used Panerai 88 with the original packaging including papers. It comes with two straps, tool and a coupon for the cap. It was purchased new in 2005 It is being sold by the original owner and he's asking $5500. Is this a fair price? Thanks much.

[marcinthemiddle]

What series is it? Sounds pretty good to me.

[heart82]

So...it's an H series i assume. I saw 4000 even once on TZ but that watch was in a really bad condition with B&P. In the market now, i guess the price range is around 4 mid-high for a fair condition with B&P to 5 mid-high for a good condition. I guess your price is an "OK" price, try to ask the seller for more discount then(if he can give it to you). Good luck

[SubKing]

4,500 sounds about right, i mean the market is soft right now in general and people are not spending like they used to... 4,500 sounds right for the current market.

i mean normally i see these go for around 4,300 up to 4,500 used... i don't want to say 5,500 is asking too much because the watch is worth that used, but because the market is so bad, the 88's are not selling even at 4,500...

if he won't match that price then pick it up off ebay, they have them for 4500 and some lower that have not ended yet.. there are wayy better deals out there to be had then 5500 for that model used. other wise buy a brand new base.

[AJMarcus]

Thanks guys. Marc it is an "H" This was very helpful.

[marcinthemiddle]

I think you'll have a tough time finding this 88 below 5k "soft market" or not. The 88 seems to always be in demand, and holds its value pretty well.
I checked Flea-bay and there were only two 88's below 5k...

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by marcinthemiddle

I think you'll have a tough time finding this 88 below 5k "soft market" or not. The 88 seems to always be in demand, and holds its value pretty well.
I checked Flea-bay and there were only two 88's below 5k...

on ebay theres an 88 for 4500 with no bids.. it has been relisted 2 times now.. it won't sell. the 88 is a loved model but not as loved as others.. with the new line ups that keep coming out from panerai and all the new features, models like the 88 the market keeps getting softer and softer. It's an H series asking 5500, i think he could find better for a pre loved 88.

theres also another 88 that has a couple days left but its been sitting at 4200 with a couple bids and might end at 4500 or a bit more.. who knows.

any used 88 over 5k listed for sale never sells from what i see on ebay.

but thats not to say people out there have not paid more than 5500 for a used 88.

at the present moment the 88 can be had used for under 5k.

if theres an 88 that has been relisted 2 times on ebay and its starting bid is 4,500 no reserve and its not selling, that says something.

but don't get me wrong, if you pick up the 88 at under 5k, you will never lose and its a killer deal.

i really don't want to see you over paying for this model.
on paneristi theres currently an M series brand new for sale for 6100. thats only 600 bucks more you will pay for a brand new 88 and it will have the updated roller ball on the crown lever.

ebay is a great reference to use to see what deals are out there to get a general idea.

if there are over 10 pam88's on ebay listed under 5500 and there not selling, what makes this persons 88 so special>?

alot of these listings im looking at are power sellers.

the 88 is a loved model i agree, but i find it specially lately to be in no more of a demand then most of the panerai line up with ETA movements.

since in-house movements came along, that changed the market for alot of these other models... many people want a 1950's case now, not all but most from what i see daily on other forums.. no one will stop talking about the 372... But the only thing that will make people start going back to the ETA models full blast is in fear that panerai will stop production using ETA movements and the ETA models will become collectable..

to me "in demand" are models like the 000 or 005. you never see them in cases at AD's but the 88 i have seen around.
I love the 88 and i know you can do better then 5500 price tag. i really do.

[jhilly8982]

I agree, $5.5k is pretty good. I know a buddy of mine just sold his complete 088M for $5800.

[marcinthemiddle]

Considering the MSRP is over 7k- I didn't think 5.5k was so bad...

If he can get one for 4.5k that would be awesome!