Watch Gurus: Rolex Vs Panerai

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I said unoriginal in reference to the people buying them, not the watches themselves. The watches are great but everyone has them which makes them mainstream and less "original" in my opinion. The same may happen to Panerai but they have a good ways to go to reach that point.

Got it.

Yes, Rolex is definitely more popular without a doubt. The vast majority of people wouldn't even know what a Panerai is.

[Robin_NL]

Imo, just an analogy, a Rolex is something like a Porsche, a Submariner could be like a stock 911.

A Panerai could be something like a Maserati or Ferrari inbetween, just to speak in carterms, though Ferrari is a rather well known brand and Panerai isn't.

[mact3333]

Rolex-Mercedes
Panerai-Ferrari

BTW, Panerai Arktos I likey...

[Bartman619]

......look at this way, Rolex production greatly outnumbers Panerai. There's simply not a lot of Panerai's out there making them something out of the ordinary. They start from about $4K all the way to $100K for Limited Edition Models. If you're starting out with these watches, consider purchasing a preowned as they are cheaper and there are many sites selling preowned Rolex and Panerai. FYI, if you have at least a 7in wrist like I do, you can easily wear a 45mm/44m Radiomir or Luminor. I have seen people wear 47mm Panerais or smaller wrist and it didn't look as good.

[chungdae]

I am a jeweler and I have accounts with both Panerai and Rolex. It's a matter of opinion which is "better" than the other, but what is FACT is that Rolex is the MOST popular name in the watch industry. Rolex set the standard in the industry for a reason, whether one wants to deny it or agree with it is up to the person, but it is what it is and it's undeniable.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by mact3333

Rolex-Mercedes
Panerai-Ferrari

[solefald]

i don't know shit about watches, but looks-wise i would take any Panerai over Rolex.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by FStop7

Panerai is the older company but Rolex is definitely more well known to non-afficianados.




I'd say it's more like Rolex is better at marketing their history. Panerai is around 40 years older as a company.

Rolex is also way more into sponsorships of things like motorsports, horse racing, yacht racing, etc. Again, they have some strong marketers who have been able to keep the Rolex name in the limelight at glamorous events.

Panerai may be older but Rolex has significant developments to their name in the watch world. Their fame is earned.

Im personally not a Rolex fan but give credit where its due man.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by solefald

i don't know shit about watches, but looks-wise i would take any Panerai over Rolex.

Some say its because of a modern trend to go with big watches and like most trends it'll pass...i've always lusted after the 000

[Prissy]

no brainer... Rolex it is. The resale value, classic. If your dad doesnt already own a rolex, just get him one.

[BigDog]

Originally Posted by Prissy

no brainer... Rolex it is. The resale value, classic. If your dad doesnt already own a rolex, just get him one.

and if he does, get him another

[Feyd]

Panerai's are big.... But they've always been big because they were originally used as dive watches back in the day when there was no such thing as lumed dials. They aren't following the trend, they set the trend... And as far as I'm concerned look really classy and understated for their size.

And to that dude who said that Panerai has no history... Tell that to the Italian Navy divers who literally rode fucking torpedoes into the sides of enemy boats with a Panerais strapped to their arms during WWII.



Proud 176 owner here.

[Robin_NL]

This is mine, the 320:


And my 116610 LN


Borrowed my dad's JLC MGUT

[Robin_NL]

Just scroll down to find some very special Panerai watches:
http://www.paneraiblog.us/2011/06/ei...nerai-watches/

My holy grail(s) would be a Red Submariner from 1970( year is was born) with box & papers and the new AP ROO and a Panerai Kampfschwimmer(priceless) and a new 372(but with 47mm it's too big for my wrist) and a new Patek Nautilus please...and and and...

[Robin_NL]

Charlize Theron wearing a Deepsea, 43mm but the piece looks great:

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Charlize Theron wearing a Deepsea, 43mm but the piece looks great:

Exactly the reason I'd skip on the Rollie. Even the $9,000 DSSD is common.

Dont get me wrong its a nice watch and the exact Rolex I'd get if I was going to buy one, but there are a couple Panerais/Jägers, etc. I'd buy before that happened....

Spend the 9k on a 1 of 250 from Panerai... Not a 1 of 250,000 from Rolex.

[BTM]

charlize theron

[1cleanm6]

Its one of most beautiful things to see a woman wearing a rolex, its beyond classy. However OP, you are comparing two different watches as far as style goes. In my opinion for an older gentleman Rolex submariner two tone is the hands down winner. Simple always gets the job done, which both watches seem to do quite perfectly.

[viobruin]

I love Panerai and Rolex and own both brands (PAM 104, Datejust, and Submariner). But even though I think the Panerai is the hippest, if I had to choose one, I'd choose the Rolex Submariner.

Panerai is definitely "in" right now and, since it's different than your standard Rolex, I think a lot of people perceive it as cooler. It doesn't have the same history and reputation as Rolex though. Yes, Panerai has been around since the 1930s and made watches for the Italian navy (pretty awesome imo), but they only made a few hundred watches back then and eventually went bankrupt. When they came back, they didn't make their own in-house movement and instead used, you guessed it, Rolex. And even with Rolex movements (and after Rolex, Angelus), Panerai didn't really get popular until Sylvester Stallone discovered them and started giving them to all of his celebrity friends (i.e., Arnold Schwarzenegger). So yes, while Panerai is definitely a great watch and holds it resale value well (mainly because it's made in limited quantities), it doesn't have the prestige and heritage of Rolex. As people before me on this thread have observed, Rolex has earned its right as one of the top watch brands and makes its own in-house movement. (I should note that, today, Panerai does use its own in-house movement in some of its watches).

In my humble opinion, for an older gentleman, I would get the Submariner. It's classy, can be worn in any occasion (the original James Bond wore the Submariner with a tuxedo, but it's obviously sporty since it's a dive watch as well), and will never go out of style.

In any event, congrats to your dad for his retirement. With either watch, he'll love it.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

i'd rock the panny before a rolex.

would def love to have a iwc or a jlc at some point in my life too.

[xtac]

Take your pops to the strip club, or hookers and blow, he will thank you.

[erictrainer]

After being a watch aficionado for many years and having owned many different watches including Cartier, Chopard, Rolex, and Panerai (in that order)I sold my last watch and got a motorcycle. Never looked back. I've decided since cell phones came around watches have become a fashion accessory. I did spend countless hours in the watch forums so I do get the obsession but I'm very glad I'm over it.