Rolex v Panerai

[Teofilo]

The main advantage of the internet (and forums like ours) is that one post from across the globe can send you off on a tangent......
I currently own a Sub and half a GMT II (with the other half to come by the end of the summer). These two watches for me are about as good as it could possibly get for rugged sports/tool/do anything watches.
I have though been looking for a "best" watch......the sort of watch you only wear 10 or so times a year, when you really want to feel just that little bit extra special.
Another thread was started on one of the other TRF sections by Vh bu98 and added to by Launchmini, which showed a Panerai Radiomir 8 day GMT (PAM 98)....its also the thread showing the "hostess with the mostest"...if you've seen it you will know what I mean
This watch has really got me thinking that I might have found my "best" watch.......it really is a stunner !
The long introduction is to try and find out from you guys with a lot of experience of watches, how the Panerai brand (and particularly the PAM 98) stands up to the Rolex watches that I am more familiar with.
I would love to see comments from anyone who owns both a PAM 98 and a Rolex sports watch.........

[bwalkerVintage]

I think this thread should be moved elsewhere since it includes a non-Rolex.

[colemanitis]

There are other watches besides Rolex?

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Teofilo

the sort of watch you only wear 10 or so times a year, when you really want to feel just that little bit extra special.
:

If this is the case, I think a Day-Date or even something from the Cellini line would be a great choice, The pams are usually big and bulky

[Launch Mini]

The 98 is NOT an 8 Day movement.
I have an 8 day also. I think the back of the watch with the 8 day indicator is a Panerai 190.
The 98 is around 42 hours PR. However, it does have an alarm.

[C.J.]

I'd go for a 98 in a heartbeat It's just a beautiful watch and with Panerai being so rich in their history, it would just be a no brainer for me. But then, there's the price tag So, I'll have to keep on wishing

[Alex Stylianou]

Cellini Is That sort too

[Solo118]

I must say I just checked out the pam98 its stunning

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by Solo118

If this is the case, I think a Day-Date or even something from the Cellini line would be a great choice, The pams are usually big and bulky

Sol, having looked through the Panerai website I agree....in general terms I'm not a fan, especially of the "wrap around" crown guards.
However the Pam 98 is something else. The picture that really got me going is on the "Panerai over lunch" thread in the TRF watch gallery section.
Apologies for those that think this thread is in the wrong place, but I am trying to get a comparison between the Pam 98 and watches that you guys know and love, ie Rolex, Rolex, Rolex.........
I know absolutely nothing about Panerai (and precious little about Rolex if truth be told), so I am just on a search for knowledge.
Are they as reliable,robust,beautiful in the flesh etc, as our faves

[leopardprey]

The Cons against the PAM 98 vs Rolex:

The PAM 98 is only water resistant to 30 meters, where as the Rolex GMT is good to 100 meters.

The PAM 98 cost significantly more than the Rolex

Not in house movement (if you care about that)

Pros:

Very nice looking watch.
Alarm function
Can changes straps on it for different looks
Fits nice on wrist
See through case back
Very good Lumination


Other Panerais:

Cons:

Very big and bulky on wrist (44mm sizes)
Kind of a Hip Hop fad, in my opinion, here in Asia
Can hear and feel the rotar moving (some people like, some people find it very annoying)
Expensive

Pros:

Great Lum
Nice design
Interesting lever lock down crown
Strap trading and many different straps
Not as many made as Rolex

[Solo118]

So I guess you gotta pick 2 watches you want to decide between, The pam 98 is for sure one of them but whats the other? How about a DD presidential in YG? or do you want SS?

[amanda]

Launch Mini can confirm this.. but isnt the 98 42mm? If so it would wear much smaller than a Luminor 44mm.... not a huge difference from your Sub/GMT to the 98.

If it sings to you - then go for it! The Rads are very dressy and totally different to your current collection thats for sure!

Have fun on the hunt!

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by amanda

Launch Mini can confirm this.. but isnt the 98 42mm? If so it would wear much smaller than a Luminor 44mm.... not a huge difference from your Sub/GMT to the 98.

If it sings to you - then go for it! The Rads are very dressy and totally different to your current collection thats for sure!

Have fun on the hunt!

Amanda.....the starting point I suppose is to try the watch on.....and I know that is an obvious thing to say,but sometimes watches just dont look the same on the wrist.......
My nearest Panerai AD is 60 miles away in Norwich. I will pop along there at some point over the next couple of months.....even if they have the watch in stock and I fall in love with it, I am still 2 very hard years of saving away from being able to buy the watch
It certainly wouldnt be an impulse buy !
Sol....after a couple of brief flirtations with TT watches, I have decided that I am more of a SS sort of bloke (clumsy arse in other words)...
Chad....thanks very much for doing the comparison above. Certainly gives me something to think about That was just the sort of post I was looking for. Are Panerais really popular with the hip hop crowd ? I'm 20 years too old to keep saying "Yo Homey", and my house is nowhere near any "hood"

[leopardprey]

Just my experience in Asia. Seems it is either the young Hip Hop crowd wanting a a big watch, or very rich buying the latest fad to show off, is who I have seen wearing Panerais here in Asia. (Yeah, I know it is a generalization, but just my obervations). Most the hard core adventure types, soldiers, and workign types see them with Rolex, Omega, Seiko or Sunato.

But, think the 42mm PAM 98, is a very classy looking watch and does nto show off or is being worn by hip hops/status seekers. 42mm is a nice size and the watch is really nice looking. The only thing that puts it off for me is the 30mm water resistant rating (not really keeping in line with Panerai's lineage). Check out the discontinued 42mm Radiomir GMT or the new 45mm GMT Radiomir. 100 meter water resistance.

Though the Alarm and GMT function would be great for travel. Then grab a 42mm Omega SMP Planet Ocean for Sport and swimming.

[vh_bu98]

I was killing time today and ended up looking at the Pams. In general I don't like them because of the crown guard, but I remember John's Pam 98 and that was a stunner. They didn't have one in stock, but they would have one available on Tuesday. The price was $8150 USD and they are willing to do the out of state thing to save on the tax.

Now the only down side besides the cost is the leather strap. Definitly not something I want to get wet. And I prefer the black over the brown one that comes with it.

So for the Pam owner's out there, does Panerai hold its value as well as Rolex? And does a Pam AD ever offer a discount?

[Jeff]

I picked up a 164 the other day, was on the hunt for one for a while now. From my experience most AD's will not discount at all. I did find one willing to deal though, kind of a funny story I jokingly made a comment along the lines of if I pay cash can we work something out the finance guy laughingly said "yeah sure 10%" when I pulled out cash and held him to that statement he didn't seem all that happy. Also in dealing you can usually get some extra PAM straps at no charge, thanks to fellow TRF members for that tip. I walked out with the 164 with a little discount and 4 straps. Came with a brown gator, had them throw in black and brown calf skin, watch also comes with a black rubber one.

The 164 is a 44mm watch and fits my wrist very well I am a large individual so the large watch suits my arm very well. 40mm Rolex's actually look small on me. My normal beater is a Breitling Hercules which is a 44.5mm watch so I was used to carrying something large on my wrist. The 164 has the crown guard which I have really grown to like. I guess some Panerai's are an acquired taste. I love having the leather strap as most scratches occur on the bracelet, with leather you don't see any of that so I think this watch will wear very well over time.

In doing some research when I first started looking for a Panerai I became hooked and really dig the style. I am already looking for another one, Black Seal maybe, we will see.