Has this ever happened to you?

[advocatia]

Short version. Rolex only guy for many, many years. Discovered Panerai. Started with the 88 then sold it for the 422. Could not get the Rolex GMT2C out of my head though so picked one up BNIB last week as a second watch and have been wearing it since while my 422 sits in a drawer.

The GMT2C is beautiful to be sure, love the bezel and the polished links, but I get this feeling that it just lacks something the 422 has in terms of making me smile when I look at it. For one, it now seems smaller than it really is. Second, I think that Panerai are so different and so unique that there is just something special about them. Hard to put into words, really. A "presence", I suppose, at the risk of sounding too dramatic.

Slapping on the 422 tonight (after bringing it back "to life") and will use the GMT2C for golf, fishing, swimming, beach, and hot humid outdoors activities as well as to change things up a bit from time to time. The boring old manual wind, three hand, no date 422 just brings me more joy.

And yes, I know I'm nuts to be this analytical about a watch. I hope my wife does not lurk here. It would just reaffirm her long standing suspicions about my mental health.

[wingku]

My wife thinks i'm crazy this way as well.....

But yeah, I put my Rolexes, Omegas and Pam in rotation, it's so much fun wearing different watches in different occasions. Sometimes I change watches twice a day.... It's nice to look at something entirely different between Rolex and Pam. Congrats on your new acquisition. The GMT with the nice hint of green is beautiful.

[kilyung]

Variety is the spice of life.

[thsiao]

As mentioned by others, variety is key IMHO.

As much as I love Rolex, I agree with you... there is something more special about wearing a Panerai. It definitely has more presence, probably because of its larger size and more unique design (crown guard).

[subtona]

Pics please.

Agree, panerai hits a different note, been enjoying mine thoroughly lately

[htc8p]

i really like my 112 but it seems that rolex has more staying power.

in the on going ownership of both im liking the rolex more.

[Hairdude1]

I love options. I love wearing all my timepieces when ever I put them on

[Ray6Chan8]

Andy, trust me. You are not alone

[Urosfan]

Having a variety keeps things fresh

[travisb]

I think Rolex will always be the main stay in my collection, but Panerai has it's special place. Can see where you're coming from, so rest assured you're not nuts.

[htc8p]

Originally Posted by travisb

I think Rolex will always be the main stay in my collection, but Panerai has it's special place. Can see where you're coming from, so rest assured you're not nuts.

sorry to disappoint buddy but we are all nuts in here

[lapince]

I love my sub C and my 233 I wear each day one and change the next, but my other watches tend to not go on my wrist very often, except for sometimes my 028 which is brand new but I try not to use it since I will probably sell it, and anyways I love the 2 others much more...

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by htc8p

i really like my 112 but it seems that rolex has more staying power. in the on going ownership of both im liking the rolex more.

That's probably because you started in the Rolex camp, yes? I started in the Panerai camp and while I love my new-to-me 16600, my 233 is still the one...

[Cru Jones]

Variety is good. Maybe keep looking for the right combo?

[advocatia]

You guys are right about variety. 100%. Going with the gmt tomorrow. Thanks for the sounding board. Love this panerai sub forum.

[BZA]

Originally Posted by wingku

Sometimes I change watches twice a day.... It's nice to look at something entirely different between Rolex and Pam.

Me too! Yesterday changed 3x in one day lol

[pegaki]

i rotate between rolex and pams

[mikkolopez]

I think 1 Panerai in one's collection is a welcome as it does lend some variety to the collection. But my collection will always be dominated by the House of Rolex and Tudors by quality and quantity.

[gofore59]

I wear my GMTIIC for the exact same occasions - travel, swimming, golf, etc. and rotate my PAM 057 (hobnail tobacco dial / titanium) when I wear browns and my Franck Muller 8880 (white face) when I wear other colors.

The Rolex is my "sport" watch, the Muller is my "dress" watch and the Panerai is my "cool" watch. I am not as taken with the Rolex, but it is the most wearable and I never worry about it being on my wrist (I am definitely sensitive about smacking the Muller and PAM).

[AK797]

Ive been looking at Pams for a few years now but still cant quite get on with them altho I liked the submersible when I tried it on. Guess I really am mostly an AP and Rolex man.

[red1108nyc]

For about a year to 18 months, I wore and traded mostly Rolex Subs and some vintages like this red 1680..








But lately, it has been a lot of 190 and more Panerai than the past 2 years. The ability to play with straps adds something special with the brand and for me... just a nice and casual weekend piece!






Bottom-line, diversity is a good thing and it is good to have options!

[paltak]

PAM and Rolex for me.

[dman]

Very normal and will find the taste goes in waves, at least for me. Nothing wrong with wearing the one that is singing the loudest at the moment.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by dman

Very normal and will find the taste goes in waves, at least for me. Nothing wrong with wearing the one that is singing the loudest at the moment.

Wow. Hey Daren. Long time. Hope all is well.

(By the way.... I remember you being into Panerai before hardly anyone knew they existed!)

[Tudor66]

I wear, buy, trade and sell Rolex Submariners and GMT's as a hobby. However, I can't get this nice watch out of my mind. I tried it on over year ago, and I still want it...

[dman]

Originally Posted by advocatia

Wow. Hey Daren. Long time. Hope all is well.

(By the way.... I remember you being into Panerai before hardly anyone knew they existed!)

Andy, hope you are well my friend.

Part of my lure to the "big ugly, tuna cans" was that nobody knew them.

That said I appreciate the new designs and the popularity that comes with them now. I will always be a fan of Panerai and Rolex will always be that unmistakeable first love that I can't shake.

So I say change it up as you can and enjoy it.

Life has had ups and downs but I am still alive and kicking man. Love reading the forum still for the passion that everyone has. After all, crazy loves company right?

[nauticajoe]

Variety is definitely good.

[lapince]

Yes variety is good, but some of my watches are sitting in the bank safe for a long time, my Breitling and my Cartier, and I know that I won't wear them again, I would sell them but the resale value for them is quite low, so since I have a son I figure that I am going to keep them for him. So I vary from my sub C to my 233, until yesterday when I got the 217 and the 82, but when I do sports, or repairs, or any other thing where my watch has a good chance of getting scratched I take my Omega Seamaster, it already took a good beating, because there is no way that I would put my watches in a situation where they might get scratched, even though Subs and Pams are tool watches, ironic is it not?

[watchmaniac]

Being on a watch forum does not help if you want to stay with one brand. I've always been a rolex and omega guy. After having a 111, 183, and now a 372, I find myself more of a Panerai guy. Around here in TX, you see about 99% rolex. I like different. Seen only about 3 panerai in person on someone's wrist, and I'm in Houston.

[advocatia]

Loving them both. Love the 422 more though.