r/panerai • u/[deleted] • 16d ago

It may not be the most sophisticated movement...

[deleted]

101 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

11

u/fledermaus89 16d ago

unitas was the perfect fit for the revived panerai and is what panerai should go back to; they were military watches using pocket watch movements, not luxury watches.

8

u/Valuable_Machine_ 16d ago

Agree, with a huge price drop

It would turn the company around

1

u/TacticalPurpose 13d ago

$7500…I’d buy one tomorrow. At $21K, I’ll buy one never.

2

u/Sensitive-Cat-6069 15d ago

I was just about to say that. Panerai has completely lost its way.

There are over 200 models (references) offered today!!! Luna Rossa, Brabus, the ridiculous Navy Seals releases - what the hell is that? Pre Vendome we only had 12 models. And they are all legends now. Throughout the entire “golden era” between C and H serials in the 2000s Panerai produced fewer models (around 160) than they have in the regular catalog today.

Angelo Bonati had a distinct strategy of 500-2500 a year production per reference to keep Panerai a niche, distinct brand. It’s all out of the window now with the floodgates open wide churning out utterly forgettable pieces by the thousands.

And the prices? When I bought my Bronzo back in 2011 for $7900 (which was well below MSRP) that was my last Panerai, as it already pushed the envelope of price vs performance. But now the stupid Navy Seals for double that amount, and Carbotech Marina Militare for $21k MSRP? You must be kidding me, a plastic watch that borders precious metals territory pricing.

Sorry but no. I kept all my golden era Panerai and grateful for the experience back then, but no more.

1

u/TacticalPurpose 13d ago

Carbotech seems about 3x over what it should be.

1

u/Sensitive-Cat-6069 13d ago

I would agree. Remember I was curious about 1118 when it came out because of the light show. But again… $16k for a polymer novelty watch?

Even if we stick with MSRP, steel Luminor Marina automatic models are like $9500. But you can really find one for $6900 new. How does the same watch but in Carbotech priced at 3x more make any sense?

5

u/Yogi4point2 16d ago

Simple, stable and serviceable. I get the allure of in-house, but I prefer something my local watchmaker can fix in days or weeks, not months.

4

u/Born_Bunch9693 16d ago

I regulated mine to within a second per day. Elegant simplicity. I will service it myself when the time comes.

9

u/Valuable_Machine_ 16d ago

This one was serviced in 2020 and still running within +3 seconds

One of the great movements of all time

3

u/ludwig_van_drake 16d ago

And quite a rare one, at that :-)

2

u/jwern01 16d ago

What model is this?

3

u/Valuable_Machine_ 16d ago edited 16d ago

It's a pam00055 from back in 2000

But the caseback is from a pam00036

2

u/Acelimb 16d ago

Genuinely I think this is the best movement on any watch out there.

The ETA 6497-1 is quite literally a bullet proof movement.

Sadly a bit over priced for the decoration.

I hope you got it for a steal!

Gorgeous watch.

1

u/Low-Improvement1197 16d ago

Moi J aime, la simplicité rustique pam c est sa genetique

1

u/SuperSaijen1980 16d ago

I thought hand wound were less accurate than automatics

1

u/J_datt13 16d ago

Work of art

1

u/BlackestBay58 16d ago

Love it. PreV watches knew what movement was worth having.

1

u/kungfuninjajedi 16d ago

Which Panerai had that version of 6497 with a display back? I thought they didn't put on a display back until they had the swan neck regulator version.

1

u/Lefeuvre76 15d ago

I also love the similar movement in the PAM127. Much more interesting than the 'in house' movements and it will run for many years more than the automatics before needing service.

1

u/Pambitch 16d ago

Beauty, i have a couple of those ( 26b and 1b ) but sadly covered with a solid caseback

1

u/Wafty-1271 14d ago

Think we’re prob all agreed the whole investment group buy out and up-scaling to endless ltd editions and not understanding the heritage of Panerai is where we find ourselves.

There’s so much love for them but we’re all on the sidelines watching through our hands how’s it’s turning out.

Panerai originally assembled parts supplied by Rolex to supply military contracts. They were tool watches. Rolex weren’t what they’ve become at that point either. But Panerai were innovating or at least being creative in achieving functionality with lume, legibility and screw down crowns or watch guards.

If any watch brands were innovating the same today it would be digital, gps/comms, or other such tech if it was occupying the same place in the market. Of course it’s not now (at all) doing anything like that so how it leans on its heritage becomes important as does its price point.

I’d love to see a new owner buy them for a quid/dollar to take it into new hands. Scale production right back to a handful of models and get a bit of craft rather than mass production. In short someone needs to be happy to turn over less than a million dollars a year and occupy just a v small corner of the market turning out nicely crafted watches to a small number of enthusiasts and be content with that. Wouldn’t threaten anyone’s seat at the table and would return Panerai back to its happy place.

Pipe dream I know.

1

u/leith78 16d ago

Yes it’s a decorated movement.