Do I buy a Panerai or a Rolex??!

[boa2]

Originally Posted by mjg002

Panerai DO make their own movements - and are NOT made in Italy

Correct. They even released a tourbillon model last year, and the watches are made in Switzerland.

A more appropriate price-to-price comparison might be the Daytona with the PAM 233, which has an in-house, 8-day movement with 2nd time zone. That said, the base models are very nice, and if you ache to have both, then buy a Rolex in the $5-6K range, which if you go pre-owned affords you nearly all of the SS Rolex sport models.

Best of luck in your choice!

[Trurolexer]

BOTH GREAT. But Daytona is my vote.

[Tony-GB]

Daytona all the way.

You'll get tired of the Panerai & once you do, no amount of strap changing will help. Only make you more frustrated as you scratch it swapping straps & spending more money on more expensive straps that will store bacteria from your sweat.

[BigHat]

Since I have no idea what is important to you, I'll only suggest you read the Panny board here as well as others and the Rolex section of this site (no need to read any others) and decide what you want to own. You might even learn what is a true "apples to apples" comparsion would be. Both brands are excellent and many people here own both.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

Daytona all the way.

You'll get tired of the Panerai & once you do, no amount of strap changing will help. Only make you more frustrated as you scratch it swapping straps & spending more money on more expensive straps that will store bacteria from your sweat.

LOL. So true, so true...

[mfer]

It is really up to you. Both are fine watches.

[mike]

Apples and Oranges. As stated those two examples are miles apart, but if between those two, the Daytona.

If compared to another PANERAI reference perhaps the story might be different.

As to PANERAI's history, a bit of research goes a lot farther than off the wall statements.

[Vito_Corleone]

I like both. It would depend on what other watches I had at the time. If it was the only watch I had, I'd pick the Daytona.

[Bisquitlips]

There is no doubt that I would purchase the Rolex, but your choice depends on your motivation.

The Daytona is the most recognizable of the two. You have to ask yourself why you are buying it.

Which ever makes you happy!

[respect]

my vote is for the panerai. or the panerai and another rolex. or two panerai's.

[toph]

I love both- but why are members bashing Panerai by posting False information?

I would take the daytona over the 005 though. or get the 005 and a rolex. then like me you will have one of each

[hflee55]

I love both. But given the choice of the 2 watches that you are considering, I'll go for the Daytona. Good Luck!

[Vito_Corleone]

Originally Posted by toph

I love both- but why are members bashing Panerai by posting False information?

Seems to be the cool thing to do on this forum, lol. It seems like some Rolex owners feel threatened by Panerai. No idea why.

Disclaimer: This is just an observation, not trying to upset anyone. I have my own issues with Panerai, but I try not to spread things that I don't know to be true.

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by toph

I love both- but why are members bashing Panerai by posting False information?

I would take the daytona over the 005 though. or get the 005 and a rolex. then like me you will have one of each

Or get a Panerai with a date & a 40mm SS/Plat Yacht Master for dressing up with a suit. There's a Pam 240 on the CM. That has a tobacco dial which is desirable among Risti's.

But the Tobacco dial is notorious for being difficult to find matching straps.

This way you can have some beer money left over.

[chazha]

the thing is. you are asking rolex lovers which one we recommend... :-D

[Nica64]

Originally Posted by chazha

the thing is. you are asking rolex lovers which one we recommend... :-D

Rolex!!! go for the Daytona, do you know how many people are waiting to get one? so go ahead and get the Daytona.

[moby33]

Your name is RobinRolex...I think that answers your question. You know what you want, now go get it.

If you buy the Pan & a Sub or GMT...my prediction is you'll quickly realize the Rolex is getting all the wrist time & eventually the Pan will go on the seller block. Save yourself the time, energy & frustration...just buy the Daytona right off the bat and enjoy life w/ no regrets! Cheers.

[Vito_Corleone]

Originally Posted by moby33

If you buy the Pan & a Sub or GMT...my prediction is you'll quickly realize the Rolex is getting all the wrist time & eventually the Pan will go on the seller block. Save yourself the time, energy & frustration...just buy the Daytona right off the bat and enjoy life w/ no regrets! Cheers.

It seems to be the opposite in my experience and with my friends, lol.

[dman]

In all fairness, this question is like going to a BMW forum and asking if you should buy a Bimmer or Mercedes.

[Andad]

IMO,

I would definately buy a Rolex.

Or a Panerai.

Or a Sony camera.

As long as you enjoy the experience.

Yer a lang time deed.

[yannis]

Rolex!

[Singslinger]

I think Panerai make some nice watches but they are a bit overpriced, in my view. Then again, a Rolex critic might say the same about Rolex too! I tend to base my watch-buying decision on 3 factors - visual, tactile and psychological.

Visual - does the watch appeal visually to you? Which catches your eye more?

Tactile - Which one feels better on your wrist? I've tried on watches that look great by themselves but feel awful on my wrist. It's difficult to explain but some watches just don't sit well on me.

Psychological - does the watch hold its value? is this important to you? do you want people to admire it thus making it a conversation piece? Is it a limited edition or rare watch and if yes, is it important to you that you wear something others don't have or isn't common?

That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck choosing!

[Gerry]

Originally Posted by robinrolex

Hi people,

I wanna treat myself to a new watch and it's a toss-up between either a Panerai or a Rolex.

So Rolex fans, give me 3 reasons why I should choose a Rolex over a Panerai!

Rob.

Do you really want to change your username to robinpanerai?

If it were me, I would choose the Daytona simply because I like it better.

[ArizonaHD]

I'd take a Sub Date but if you like the Panerai look, consider the Bell and Ross which can be had very reasonably on the used market.

An Italian Military watch, when I think of Italy I don't think of great militaries their last applicable military timepiece which saw the height of power was the Roman Sundial.

As a military buff I'd take a Poljot or Vostok over a Panerai, but for style reasons I'd take the Panerai. I do like the Panerai look, and for a while it was made by Rolex.

[divineComedy]

Just couldn't resist this one.
This is a very daring question considering where it has been posted.
Last year I was faced with same dilemma.
Both are great brands.
Though Rolex is more noticeable."Hey nice Rolex!"
Panerai catches attention by sheer presence. "Hey nice watch, what is it?"

Rolex does 800,000(more or less) watches every year. All in house movements.
Panerai at 45,000 last year but i am aware the numbers have grown considerably for the present year. Mostly ETAs though chronometre grade and inhouse movement for the more expensive examples.

Rolex has nice bracelets.
Panerai has a Very nice & Very expensive bracelet(not the new one).

Trust me if you love Rolex you need one and If the Panerai bug has gotten you, you definitely need one.
Or you shall loose sleep thinking about the other one.
Infact once you have one of each you shall need more of their kinds.
Or you shall loose sleep browsing forums, thinking, looking at pictures,thinking, visiting WTS threads and thinking.

Do let us posted on your decision.
cheers,
K.

[divineComedy]

Rolex has parachrome balance hair-spring and 904L steel case and a polished case shines like no other i have seen. Though the bracelets are 316L like others.

cheers,
K.

[argee1977]

Originally Posted by divineComedy

Rolex has parachrome balance hair-spring and 904L steel case and a polished case shines like no other i have seen. Though the bracelets are 316L like others.

cheers,
K.

The hairspring performs pretty much identical to others, it's just Rolex make their own now and gave it a fancy name, 904L isn't really a selling point over 316L either, it's another case of Rolex going their own way with no real benefits but a lot of marketing.

[BigHat]

The entire watch is 904L(recent years) and please let's skip the 316 vs 904 debate.

[divineComedy]

Thanks for the info Matt...

[Lamone]

I'd go with a Panerai regatta flyback 1950 which is a chronograph like the daytona.
It's got a great in-house mouvmt (OP XIX).