Panerai ceramic question

[kerytch]

Are panerai ceramic like the pam 441 of excellent quality? Ive read stories about panerai ceramic breaking due to accidental fall. Which is of better quality, composite or ceramic? ive also read about panerai composite problems when it comes in contact with certain chemicals like alcohol. How true are these things?

[kilyung]

All ceramics can break if dropped or banged right - not just Panerai. I'd personally pick ceramic as it resists corrosion and staining better than composite. I don't know if Panerai has resolved their composite manufacturing issues yet.

[kerytch]

Then ceramics are not so worth their price if thats the case right?

[kilyung]

It's pretty durable, just not indestructible. I have never dropped any of my watches so wouldn't worry about dropping a ceramic watch and watching it break. However, I do scratch my watches often so ceramic is well worth the disadvantages for its scratch resistance... ymmv.

[bcacncnc]

There are pros and cons.

Firstly, if this is your first PAM, I personally would go for a more traditional model - stainless steel.

The ceramic models, are very scratch proof. If you look at many of the second hand models, on the ceramic parts, they look almost brand new. If you are the type who likes their watches free from dings, swirls and scratches, I think the ceramic are good choices.

The con is if you drop it - the case might crack. But honestly, even if you drop a stainless steel model, you are also up for some replacement parts. I have no idea as to the cost of the replacement case for the ceramic models, but its an option if you really do crack it.

As to which is better between ceramic and composite. I am not a materials expert but I think a lot of it is marketing hype. I have heard from ppl the composite cases are lighter than the ceramics - but I've never compared them first hand.

[mfer]

I suggest you just do research on material properties. As hardness increases, brittleness increases.

Take a hammer to the space shuttle ceramic tiles and they'll crack.
Take a hammer to the USS Missouri (steel) and you'll just get a dent.

[bcacncnc]

Originally Posted by mfer

I suggest you just do research on material properties. As hardness increases, brittleness increases.

Take a hammer to the space shuttle ceramic tiles and they'll crack.
Take a hammer to the USS Missouri (steel) and you'll just get a dent.

Sounds like a great idea for an experiment Mik.

OK - I will hammer my 292 and you can hammer your 190 and lets document the outcome. We just need someone to hammer their 339 and 417 and we will have conducted the most thorough investigation in the world!

[kerytch]

thanks for the very useful info everyone

[unknown]

they are strong enough and don't break, if you don't abuse them
It's like your saphire glas, I think we can say it doesn't break ....

Composite on the other hand i snot the best move they did, here you have to watch out with alcohol