Watch Gurus: Rolex Vs Panerai

[hl0m4n]

my dad's birthday is coming and he is retiring . so my bro, mom, and myself want to get him a watch for his birthday. his daily right now is a breitling bentley.

im stuck between rolex submariner and panerai luminor marina.

the case size of 40mm vs 44mm doesn't matter but how does panerai stand in terms of brand compared to rolex? movement? history? reliability? ease of service? some deep input between the 2 would be very much appreciated.

[KingOfJericho]

Panerai is becoming quite popular and for good reason. They're clean and unique. When I think Rolex, I think unoriginal and boring. I'm sure others will feel differently but that's my opinion. I would LOVE a Panerai.

[TK-421]

Panerai is very nice but a little on the obnoxious side. The Submariner is a little cliche but to me, nothing under $10K can top a Daytona.

[leJUNd]

Panerai.
About to purchase 305.

[Sephiroth]

IMO panerai is nice looking but nowhere near the history of Rolex. My biggest gripe with them is sheer sizes of their watches, but if your dad is sporting breitling he should have no issue with panerai sizes.

There are many other (better IMO) options. Omega, IWC, Breguet, JLC, etc.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by 1love

IMO panerai is nice looking but nowhere near the history of Rolex. My biggest gripe with them is sheer sizes of their watches, but if your dad is sporting breitling he should have no issue with panerai sizes.

There are many other (better IMO) options. Omega, IWC, Breguet, JLC, etc.

Exacty.


And I forgot about IWC - that's one I'd love to have.

[BTM]

The Rolex is classic, and while it will never be the most original choice, it's always in style in an understated way. It's more versatile and less ostentatious (I don't mean that in a bad way) than the Panerai, which is a nice piece in it's own right, but completely different from the Rolex. It's hard to say, because I can't really say I'd rather have one or the other, I appreciate both pieces, and watches are a thing of personal preference. So I guess I'd start asking what your dad likes in certain items of personal expression, does he like tradition, recognition, and versatility (at the sake of originality) or would he prefer to have something a little less known, more exclusive, to stand out and perhaps be more of a "conversation" piece.

[hl0m4n]

how is panerai in term of reliability and resale value? i know the submariners hold value very well and with rolex moving to bigger size cases in future, this will further increase value of them.

personally i LOVE panerai and i do want one myself. i love the simplistic design and uniqueness of them and yea jericho they are becoming popular. i see them everywhere now from movies, magazines, actors, etc.

the only other rolex i love is the sea dweller at 44mm . if i can buy both i would but i can't .

and for those of you guys that don't like big case watches, is it because you guys have small wrists and it looks funny or just prefer the classy look of a smaller 40mm?

[matthewk]

Rolex resale value is better Panerai resale value by a lot. Outside of super collectables it's arguably a toss up between Patek and Rolex having the best resale in the industry.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

how is panerai in term of reliability and resale value? i know the submariners hold value very well and with rolex moving to bigger size cases in future, this will further increase value of them.

personally i LOVE panerai and i do want one myself. i love the simplistic design and uniqueness of them and yea jericho they are becoming popular. i see them everywhere now from movies, magazines, actors, etc.

the only other rolex i love is the sea dweller at 44mm . if i can buy both i would but i can't .

and for those of you guys that don't like big case watches, is it because you guys have small wrists and it looks funny or just prefer the classy look of a smaller 40mm?

Small wrists. I max out at 42mm and that too only certain styles.

[Robin_NL]

I more or less, have them both, a Sub 116610LN (2010) and a PAM 320 GMT.

Both classics

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by matthewk

Rolex resale value is better Panerai resale value by a lot. Outside of super collectables it's arguably a toss up between Patek and Rolex having the best resale in the industry.

More or less agreed, but you forget Panerai. Rolex steel models(the GMT/Sub/Daytona) Plus many PAMs keep their resale value very well. Way more than JLC(been there done that) IWC(ditto), Zenith(ditto) GP etc.
Even my ex AP (RO) was depriciating more than I thought it would.

But to each his own.

Rolex is in terms of build quality way beyond many many brands I mentioned above(except JLC and AP, which aren't exactly well build, but just have fantastic movements) . But hey, what do I know, with a old man who has been a pro watchmaker for over 40 years.

So for me there is Patek, Rolex, Panerai, JLC and AP. Other brands are nice, but my experience with them is not exactly great. Though I love the Zenith El Primero movement.

This is also a nice read, the historical connection between Rolex & Panerai:

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2009/0...-of-rolex.html

[Gregxi]

I am assuming this is going to be a surprise?

Has your Dad ever talked about other styles he is interested in?

[stylinexpat]

I just recently bought a new Submariner. I really like mine.

[dtwyim]

If you want something that stands out, get the new green sub with the green dial. Not the 50th green sub with the black dial. If your dad is into unique time pieces. Since I am on that topic, the green milgauss is also nice. Compared to the sub, I think it is more dressy. The down side is less water proof, and no date. Cheaper also.

Just my 2 cents.

[ZJP]

Everyone has a Rolex, whether its fake or real.

Go with the Panerai.

[HOG4DNR]

I've owned a bunch of Panerai's and shy'd away from the Rolex's because I found them to small, with that said, the Rolex Sea Dweller will probably be my next watch.

[michaelthepsycho]

I would not get a Panerai because of their idiotic crown protectors.

But if I were to get a Rolex, it wouldn't be a Submariner 'cause everyone and their mums has got one.

[FStop7]

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

Originally Posted by 1love

IMO panerai is nice looking but nowhere near the history of Rolex.

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.

[TSM330i]

I wore a Submariner for 10 years. Never had a single issue with it and sold it for a small PROFIT.

As for those who say the Rolex is "unoriginal" it's because so many have copied the Rolex. The Submariner has been around a long time and have patented the crown closure.

Submariner is a classic. The bezel is actually ceramic, not painted. The numbers are part of the bezel, raised stainless steel because the ceramic is too hard.
GMT is another model to consider.

Panerai is a very nice watch.

I sold my Submariner for a Daytona and have never regretted owning either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex

[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.

[stylinexpat]

Here in Taiwan the Panerai watches got quite popular and prices rose north of $300,000 NT but now interest in them is not like it used to be because people have found out that Rolex watches do quite well in holding their value. Cartier and Panerai watches are quite nice but long term they won't hold their value like the Rolex watches. This is not the case for every watch as there are special edition ones out there but generally speaking.

When I traded in my old Rolex in HK I got $24,000 HKD for it and I had it for 9 years. I wore that watch on a daily basis and only lost about 18% on it selling it to a second hand store.