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TonyD · 27 May 2008, 10:21 AM

Hello all, I am a Panerai virgin so please treat me gently! I am knee deep in research and bitten by the Panerai bug/sickness badly! I have an opportunity to buy a 69 from a local AD used. It was sent in for service and looks brand new. One year warranty from the dealer. I understand that discussions of prices are taboo so I won't ask. It seems to be a decent price from my limited research. For now lets stick to some real questions...

I was looking for a 44mm watch and my AD has an 88 and a 251 in stock that I like. These are both new. I normally like complications on watches like the Chrono or GMT but rarely use them. I'm just an engineer that likes gadgets. I have small wrists at 7.25" so a 44 is about as big as I can go.

The 69 comes on bracelet which is a huge plus for me. I like the idea of changing the straps but I really love the bracelet and this is major selling point for me.

The dial is the dark blue which is a huge selling point as it is gorgeous. I find the plain black faces of the Panerai, well... plain. On the other hand the face of the chrono is quite busy. The 88 has a nice mix of stuff although it is also a bit too busy for my taste. The blue of the 69 is just stunning.

The price is a big plus for me as well. If I go new then the entry is easily $7-8000+. The idea of this might be a good stepping stone watch. It seems that most people that own PAM's seem to have more than one. Paying this "little" for this one opens the door to buy another if./when the bug really bites me hard. Then I could almost justify getting another one.

Now the questions...
1. Is the 69 considered rare? I haven't seen many/any for sale to compare prices.
2. I know 44 is more desirable. Is the 40 a killer for resale value or will this at least hold its own in the future? (As much as anyone can predict)
3. Will I regret not waiting for a 44mm later?
4. Any pointers to discussions of the 69 I should look at? Google just shows too much for me to sift through.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.
Image for those not familiar (image found on web and cropped)

hienpham04 · 28 May 2008, 04:37 AM

Hmmm....You said "I am a Panerai virgin so please treat me gently!" and you want a 69? I just thought that was funny!

Anyways, you should go with the 44mm. Most people who got the 40mm, end up with the 44mm later. I have a smaller wrist, but find the 44mm nice to wear. So my suggestion, go with the 44mm. It's more popular which means easier to find or sale later if you decided to go with another model. As for 69 being rare, I wouldn't know because I tend to lean towards the leather or rubber strap Panerais.

MikeyDe · 28 May 2008, 05:26 AM

I just saw that watch at Tourneau in Vegas. I love it. As long as you dont mind the 40mm you should get it. That blue is really cool. It was like $8,400 I think. I have the 279(all titanium/brown dial/44mm) and I love it. Its gonna be more of my daily wear over my 161.

TonyD · 28 May 2008, 05:38 AM

This one is also at a Tourneau and is marked $4000. It has no box or papers, but was recently serviced by Panerai thru Tourneau. That bugs me quite a bit actually. I'll go look at it today and see if it smiles as much as it did last time.

PS Wanna sell me the 161!? :)

TonyD · 28 May 2008, 10:46 PM

This is killing me..... I was offered $3500 to buy the watch. I think the price is amazing. No box/no papers made me leave the store but that beautiful dial haunts my sleep.

Downing · 29 May 2008, 12:28 AM

Sounds like the perfect watch for you--except it's too small. Although the price is right, unfortunately that doesn't make the case any bigger. I agree with Hiem, you're almost certainly going to buy a bigger watch later and my guess is that will be sooner rather than later.

So my advice is to pass, sorry, and use the funds you would have spent on this watch towards your perfect watch.

There are a lot of Pams out there, and one of them is calling your name. It might even be this one, but it doesn't sound like it to me.

Felly Jr. · 29 May 2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynntonyd

This one is also at a Tourneau and is marked $4000. It has no box or papers, but was recently serviced by Panerai thru Tourneau. That bugs me quite a bit actually. I'll go look at it today and see if it smiles as much as it did last time.

PS Wanna sell me the 161!? :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynntonyd

This is killing me..... I was offered $3500 to buy the watch. I think the price is amazing. No box/no papers made me leave the store but that beautiful dial haunts my sleep.

IMO, if it smiles at you and haunts your sleep and you like the price then buy it!

Also, if you tried on the 40 and liked the size then who cares what other sizes they make............

.................Just my

tech_controller · 29 May 2008, 01:29 AM

If it is calling you...than it doesn't matter what we thing...but here is my proverbial $.02 cents.....

You will end up getting a 44mm eventually....it just happens....I'm on my 4th Panerai now...all 44mm...I was never "feelin' the 40s.....

YMMV

TonyD · 29 May 2008, 02:01 AM

You are all correct... I love the size of the 44 and if I bought the 40 then I would always have my eye on a 44 no matter what. I don't plan to have two PAM's but nobody does at first I guess!

SlowKarter · 29 May 2008, 04:48 AM

I was in Switzerland and asked to see the 40mm. The dealers looked at me funny and said, "You know that's a ladies' watch, right?"... then proceeded to pull it out from his safe -- dressed in a pink strap.

Never looked at a 40 again.

Magik · 31 May 2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowKarter

I was in Switzerland and asked to see the 40mm. The dealers looked at me funny and said, "You know that's a ladies' watch, right?"... then proceeded to pull it out from his safe -- dressed in a pink strap.

Never looked at a 40 again.

That's funny

. Is that a true story?

pwrslider · 31 May 2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hienpham04

Hmmm....You said "I am a Panerai virgin so please treat me gently!" and you want a 69? I just thought that was funny!

Anyways, you should go with the 44mm. Most people who got the 40mm, end up with the 44mm later. I have a smaller wrist, but find the 44mm nice to wear. So my suggestion, go with the 44mm. It's more popular which means easier to find or sale later if you decided to go with another model. As for 69 being rare, I wouldn't know because I tend to lean towards the leather or rubber strap Panerais.

Agreed all the way around....if it were me..( and I have 2 now..) I'd get the 44....on a strap. It's way more fun buying and changing the leather straps later on...becomes a different watch everytime!

Downing · 1 June 2008, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowKarter

I was in Switzerland and asked to see the 40mm. The dealers looked at me funny and said, "You know that's a ladies' watch, right?"... then proceeded to pull it out from his safe -- dressed in a pink strap.

Never looked at a 40 again.

SlowKarter · 1 June 2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magik

That's funny

. Is that a true story?

that was a true story. It was in Lucerne. didn't make it up. i was SHOCKED to see the pink strap!!! Didn't even know they make a pink strap, but it struck home immediately and confirmed that he wasn't joking

I was pissed at the Tourneau sales guy who tried to sell me the 40 a couple months prior!!!

27 May 2008, 10:21 AM	#1
TonyD 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: Boston North Watch: Meteorite Daytona Posts: 1,471	Opportunity to buy a 69 - Advice? Hello all, I am a Panerai virgin so please treat me gently! I am knee deep in research and bitten by the Panerai bug/sickness badly! I have an opportunity to buy a 69 from a local AD used. It was sent in for service and looks brand new. One year warranty from the dealer. I understand that discussions of prices are taboo so I won't ask. It seems to be a decent price from my limited research. For now lets stick to some real questions... I was looking for a 44mm watch and my AD has an 88 and a 251 in stock that I like. These are both new. I normally like complications on watches like the Chrono or GMT but rarely use them. I'm just an engineer that likes gadgets. I have small wrists at 7.25" so a 44 is about as big as I can go. The 69 comes on bracelet which is a huge plus for me. I like the idea of changing the straps but I really love the bracelet and this is major selling point for me. The dial is the dark blue which is a huge selling point as it is gorgeous. I find the plain black faces of the Panerai, well... plain. On the other hand the face of the chrono is quite busy. The 88 has a nice mix of stuff although it is also a bit too busy for my taste. The blue of the 69 is just stunning. The price is a big plus for me as well. If I go new then the entry is easily $7-8000+. The idea of this might be a good stepping stone watch. It seems that most people that own PAM's seem to have more than one. Paying this "little" for this one opens the door to buy another if./when the bug really bites me hard. Then I could almost justify getting another one. Now the questions... 1. Is the 69 considered rare? I haven't seen many/any for sale to compare prices. 2. I know 44 is more desirable. Is the 40 a killer for resale value or will this at least hold its own in the future? (As much as anyone can predict) 3. Will I regret not waiting for a 44mm later? 4. Any pointers to discussions of the 69 I should look at? Google just shows too much for me to sift through. Thank you for any advice you can offer. Image for those not familiar (image found on web and cropped)

28 May 2008, 10:46 PM	#5
TonyD 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: Boston North Watch: Meteorite Daytona Posts: 1,471	Torture This is killing me..... I was offered $3500 to buy the watch. I think the price is amazing. No box/no papers made me leave the store but that beautiful dial haunts my sleep.

29 May 2008, 12:28 AM	#6
Downing "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Downing Location: Portland, Oregon Watch: SD ExpII GO Nav ND Posts: 1,640	Sounds like the perfect watch for you--except it's too small. Although the price is right, unfortunately that doesn't make the case any bigger. I agree with Hiem, you're almost certainly going to buy a bigger watch later and my guess is that will be sooner rather than later. So my advice is to pass, sorry, and use the funds you would have spent on this watch towards your perfect watch. There are a lot of Pams out there, and one of them is calling your name. It might even be this one, but it doesn't sound like it to me. __________________ One if by land, one if by sea, one if by air and one uh, just to tell time. Rolex Explorer II White Rolex Sea-Dweller Glashütte Original Navigator Panerai 183 G Black Seal

28 May 2008, 04:37 AM	#2
hienpham04 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Hien Q Pham Location: Orlando, FL Watch: Rolex President Posts: 595	Hmmm....You said "I am a Panerai virgin so please treat me gently!" and you want a 69? I just thought that was funny! Anyways, you should go with the 44mm. Most people who got the 40mm, end up with the 44mm later. I have a smaller wrist, but find the 44mm nice to wear. So my suggestion, go with the 44mm. It's more popular which means easier to find or sale later if you decided to go with another model. As for 69 being rare, I wouldn't know because I tend to lean towards the leather or rubber strap Panerais.

28 May 2008, 05:26 AM	#3
MikeyDe Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mesopotamia Posts: 30	I just saw that watch at Tourneau in Vegas. I love it. As long as you dont mind the 40mm you should get it. That blue is really cool. It was like $8,400 I think. I have the 279(all titanium/brown dial/44mm) and I love it. Its gonna be more of my daily wear over my 161.

28 May 2008, 05:38 AM	#4
TonyD 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: Boston North Watch: Meteorite Daytona Posts: 1,471	This one is also at a Tourneau and is marked $4000. It has no box or papers, but was recently serviced by Panerai thru Tourneau. That bugs me quite a bit actually. I'll go look at it today and see if it smiles as much as it did last time. PS Wanna sell me the 161!? :)

29 May 2008, 01:29 AM	#8
tech_controller "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Daniel Location: Middle Earth Watch: Me Bleed... Posts: 687	If it is calling you...than it doesn't matter what we thing...but here is my proverbial $.02 cents..... You will end up getting a 44mm eventually....it just happens....I'm on my 4th Panerai now...all 44mm...I was never "feelin' the 40s..... YMMV

29 May 2008, 02:01 AM	#9
TonyD 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: Boston North Watch: Meteorite Daytona Posts: 1,471	You are all correct... I love the size of the 44 and if I bought the 40 then I would always have my eye on a 44 no matter what. I don't plan to have two PAM's but nobody does at first I guess!

29 May 2008, 04:48 AM	#10
SlowKarter Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: OC Posts: 69	I was in Switzerland and asked to see the 40mm. The dealers looked at me funny and said, "You know that's a ladies' watch, right?"... then proceeded to pull it out from his safe -- dressed in a pink strap. Never looked at a 40 again.

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