"High End Rolex"..."Low End Panerai"?

[maz]

If you had 6 grand reserved for a watch...would you get the Rolex or move into the bottom of the Panerai line? I love both, but am I getting a better watch with the Rolex? I'm thinking the Pan gets me name only and and someone else's movement ( a great movement still)... but the Rolex gets me in-house movement, wider availability of service and a boat load of history. A sales guy suggested I check out the Pans if I'm in that $$ range.....that's why I ask.
-Nik

[ohlins]

if i were looking at my first watch, i'll pick rolex.......

i like panerai too but not over rolex......

[Lol-x]

You never know until you give it a go. Whatever floats your boat, and what floats yours may not float the next guy/girls

[robbyrolex]

Without ? I'd go Rolex and not think twice, of course I only frequent Rolex forums so I am biased.

[robbyrolex]

6K $ after the next Rolex price increase will limit you to SS models minus the daytona but that still is a wide suggestion of nice watches. Are Pam that expensive that 6 grand is low end Panerai, I didn't think they were a lot more than Rolex for a run of the mill sports model without anything special?

[ChronoDate]

I believe Panerai makes some if not all of their own movements now. I know they achieved "Manufacturer" status recently. Nice watches.

[pilapandet]

You asking the questing in the wrong place here. Of course, the answer will be ROLEX.

[scottschoe]

6K can't get a high-end rolex. I'd pick a Rolex if it's your first watch, or Panerai if you already have one.

[Octopus]

6K will get you a top of the range rolex watch and movement. It just won't be smothered in diamonds or gold.

[Gerry]

Well, which watch smiles at you?

[Downing]

Nik, in looking at your avatar if your first choice in a Rolex would be the Sea-Dweller, you should know that Panerai doesn't really have a comparable watch, although they do have dive watches. Panerais are a very distinctive looking watch, and people tend to either love them or hate them (I'm in the former camp). They've built up quite a following in a relatively short amount of time.

It really does depend on what watch makes you happiest. If you've got $6K to put towards a watch, then you've certainly got options. Both Rolex and Panerai make high quality watches.

Keep in mind, there's no right or wrong answer. If you think you're going to limit yourself to only one watch, then I suppose there's a bit more pressure to try to get it right with this purchase. However, there's a strong possibility that you're going to collect at least a couple of watches in your lifetime. So the watch you don't get this time, you can certainly get next time. Or the time after that. Or that. etc etc etc

Have fun! Nothing beats the thrill of reeling in a new watch.

[Oyster Lover]

Definitely Rolex... Panerai is a bit of a fad in my opinion and I think you have to drop a lot of money to get one of their in-house manufacture movements (otherwise it's an embellished ETA movement just like so many others...). Have you ever tried a Panerai on? It's a monster watch - huge and heavy... It does keep a good amount of its value for resale, especially if you get one of their limited edition models (and they seem to pump out limited editions like there's no tomorrow)....

[The Engineer]

If it's a change of scenery you want then go with the panny, try not to think in terms of monetory value as this will kill the joy of your purchase. Just go at what ever smiles at you.

[CPCC]

Rolex, Quality, brand recognition, sex appeal,
Also to quote a TRF rolexes get you treated like a king.

[waeleldasher]

It seems this question comes up often. They are both nice watches and its a very personal choice. There is some good advice and opinions here and like its been said, there really is no right or wrong answer. This is a subjective matter and nothing beats trying both on in person and deciding which one winks at you.

You will very likely end up with several watches over the years so it won't matter in the long run.

Good luck with your choice and its great fun going through this exercise, so enjoy it.

cheers

W

[DJF881]

I just googled it. The range is about the same. Panerais are cheaper when the watch is on a leather strap or a rubber bracelet, but they can be more expensive in the 44mm sizes, on the titanium bracelets.

Only in gold or in special or limited editions do they get above the $6500, unless they've had a price hike since late 06.

The only reason Rolexes might be cheaper is if Panerai just had a price hike, or if the SRP is set in euros and fluctuates based on exchange rates. Rolex is about to get a price hike, most people suspect.

[Defiancekofb]

If your not planning on selling your Panny anytime soon then go for it. But, like previous posters have stated most Panny's do not hold there resale value that well.

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by Defiancekofb

If your not planning on selling your Panny anytime soon then go for it. But, like previous posters have stated most Panny's do not hold there resale value that well.

Actually Pannys hold their value quite well.

[walds11]

I agree as well.

I had a few Panerais through out the years (44mm and 40mm models). I just felt that they were too big for my wrists, so I ended up selling them. The 40mm models were ok though. I kept going back to Rolex :)

What ever makes you smile and floats your boat.

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Actually Pannys hold their value quite well.

[veilstylez]

If I had 6k to buy a watch and wanted high end. I would get either a GMTc or a YM for 6.8k(at my discount which is really a 8.3k watch) rather than a panerai pam111 5k or pam104 for 6k. I do like Panerais and have own a few but I always end up selling it and upgrading to a higher Rolex. Just like Walds I keep coming back to Rolex.

[f16570]

The Pan is a stunning looking watch range, but our opinions are going to be slightly biased as this is a Rolex forum.
That aside I looked at Paneria before I bought my Rolex and just felt that it was not a watch to wear to the office every day (same for the LV IMO).
I wanted something to wear for any and all occasions, and in this instance Rolex came thru. But who knows next time.

[dr_rolex]

Rolex; I will tell you why I think like this:

There was a guy on here the other day that (was expecting) got treated like ROYALTY when he places on his ROLEX......

(Now, tell me, without having to buy a Royal title, what else gives you this kind of privledge? )

Seriously;

(a) Rolex is not a FAD watch, it's a genuine brand.

(b) Rolex is a solid financial institution that will be around for along time ....... and longevity makes me feel safe about "investing" in the brand.

(c) Rolex actually has parts for their watches..........and plenty of service centers around the world.

(d) Rolex is like carrying currency on your wrist, you can basically sell it - in any part of the world, in case of an emergency.

(e) Taking good care of it (so stay away from Vegas ) it retains a large portion of its value.

S P E C I A L N O T E:
None of the above is to detract from Panerai........

[harogers]

Nik,

I have both a SS GMTc and a 104, both are great, but very different, although the GMTc wears bigger than the 40mm stated, optical illusion I guess. With a Roxel you will get a high quality watch that everyone knows, you get a high quality watch with the Pam, but most do not know what it is. I had to have a Pam, and sold my SS sub date to fund it. Less than a year later I had a rolex again. Panerai has done a great job of marketing themselfs, and they do hold their value, and in many cases increase. It comes down to what smiles at you. Had to say what one I would choose if I could only have one, but most likely the Pam, as I like to fly under the radar more than appeal to the masses.

[rpryan55]

Originally Posted by Oyster Lover

Definitely Rolex... Panerai is a bit of a fad in my opinion and I think you have to drop a lot of money to get one of their in-house manufacture movements (otherwise it's an embellished ETA movement just like so many others...). Have you ever tried a Panerai on? It's a monster watch - huge and heavy... It does keep a good amount of its value for resale, especially if you get one of their limited edition models (and they seem to pump out limited editions like there's no tomorrow)....

I'll second this opinion.

[BigDanC]

I would get a Zenith.

They're sexy, they're better quality than Rolex and Panerai, and they're sexy.

Did I mention they're sexy?

The only thing that sucks about them is alot of them don't have dates. Shoot, If I had 13k I'd get the Breguet Trans-Atlantique in rose gold, that is one sexy sexy watch, and that actually has a date:D! Can anyone give me 13k?

[boa2]

Do you have a specific model in mind from each brand? $6K gives you many options, and if you are willing to consider pre-owned, you've got 15+ models from which to choose. Try them on, and see what is going to suit you best.

Panerai may indeed turn out to be a trend, but in the end, this argument is as weak a reason to avoid the brand as the suggestion that wearing a Rolex makes you an everyman. Narrow down the model, and if you like what you're wearing, that's all that matters.

[BuffaloRolex]

Originally Posted by rpryan55

I'll second this opinion.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Both Rolex and Panerai make awesome watches, but personally I would go for a Rolex. The Panerais are just too big for my liking, but it is all a matter of personal preference.

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Both Rolex and Panerai make awesome watches, but personally I would go for a Rolex. The Panerais are just too big for my liking, but it is all a matter of personal preference.

Panerai also do some really nice 40mm watches. Have a look on their website for a PAM 48,244 OR 241.

I dont own one yet, but have tried on 40mm,42mm,44mm,45mm and 47mm. Anything above the 42mm just didnt look right on me, but I know a lot of Panerai owners swear by the bigger sizes.

[dr_rolex]

Originally Posted by BigDanC

Can anyone give me 13k?

Here ya go;

k k k k k k k k k k k k k

Yep, 13 "k" .........................all yours. Now you come back now, 'ya hear!