My new watch, (help me identify)

[explodingtaco]

I got this yesterday, I am new to watches in general, I have a son on the way (Oct. 5th) which has cooled my jets on any "nice" watch purchases. I did however, run across this watch yesterday. It looks like a Panerai;however, it obviously is not. It has a Sapphire crystal and a 2824-2 movement. The crystal is VERY thick and a little domed, it beats at 28800 bph which gives it a very smooth sweep (as all of those with a nice watch would know.) It also has a crystal back with what looks like a gold plated movement. The watch is also ~44mm without crown, cant tell exactly but measures about that.

I paid $204 which I thought was good for any 2824 and a sapphire crystal. The band is quite bad but that is an easy replacement. I have found some similar watches labeled "marine diver" just as mine is, but I have not seen the logo that is on mine. The back says ref. 01752 and the same "M" looking logo is on the back crystal.

Any Ideas?

You will have to excuse the picture quality, I am a rookie with a broken digital camera, the viewfinders are both broken.

[roadcarver]

Hi explodingtaco,

Marine divers are made by this company: http://www.internationalwatchman.com/home.html

Here's another thread that talks about it briefly..
http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php...d=0#msg_109809

Looks like they make homages to other fine brands.

Regards,

Vernon

[explodingtaco]

Thanks, is it wrong to wear this watch? It's not a panerai and does not claim to be, but I almost feel dirty knowing it is a VERY close reproduction . . .

[SobeSVT]

Oh, WOW! They DO Rollies too.

[MassiveAttack]

shameless.

[BigC208]

If my wife sees those Rolex "Homages" at those prices, I can kiss my collection goodby. Why spend 5k on a watch when you can get the "almost" for next to nothing? We know, but try explaining that to someone who thought that 3 Seikos were 2 too many let alone 4 Rolexes. BTW explodingTaco, you buy what you can afford. Better this than a fake. You like the design and that's what counts. Let the patent and design lawyers figure out the rest. You have your priorities straight. No need to get in debt or spend precious resources when you have a young one on the way. Enjoy the watch.

[Alan From New York]

Originally Posted by explodingtaco

I got this yesterday, I am new to watches in general, I have a son on the way (Oct. 5th) which has cooled my jets on any "nice" watch purchases. I did however, run across this watch yesterday. It looks like a Panerai;however, it obviously is not...

...I paid $204 which I thought was good for any 2824 and a sapphire crystal.

Any ideas?

It's only obvious to a watch fan that your watch is not a Panerai. "Normal" people won't see a difference.

Switzerland is loaded with companies that make watches that look like the ones made by "The Big Boys." These are not "homage" or "Replica" watches. The simple fact is that not everyone can afford (or want to pay the price of) a Panerai, Rolex, etc., and buy a similar, lower priced watch.

I can't identify the particular maker of your watch, but I'll bet it's one of the other companies.