Where is the fun?

Man, I've lamented MORE over selling my Panerai than I have over other really IMPORTANT decisions before in my life.

Part of me says keep it, don't sell if for less than you want...

Part of me says maybe trade with a local AD toward a Breitling Heritage (plus something else)...

Part of me says selling it to buy a $6,000 plus watch is NUTS...

Part of me says I've gotten a little BIG FOR MY WIS BRITCHES thinking every watch has to be at least $1000...

I need to make this fun again...

I know what you mean. I had a similar reaction when I bought my Speedy Pro a few years ago. Realized that I was not enjoying the watch. Was worried I'd ding it. Was worried I'd leave it somewhere (usually on a wash stand when I wash up). Was just worried. Ended up not wearing it much and comparing all my others to it. Sold it. Took a few months to come to that decision but in the end, after it was gone, I never looked back.

I wore my Seiko 009 the other day and really enjoyed it. $125 cost to me shipped.

I wore my Bernhardt Globemaster yesterday and enjoyed it. $350 cost to me shipped.

I'm wearing my Sinn 757UTC today and enjoying it. Cost way more.

What I've realized is that you should keep watches you love. If it cost a little or a lot, doesn't matter. What matters is do you really like it and enjoy wearing it. Because if the answer is no, well....doesn't matter whether it cost $5k or $50 you wasted your money IMHO.

I will admit that I will never be fortunate enough to own a $4000+ watch....ever. My Breitling will probably be my one and only high end watch and I bought that gently loved. But I will say this...I love wearing it and am wearing it as I type this. In my opinion it's the smartest buy I ever made. I'd love to find another deal like this but they are difficult to find. The hunt was EXHILARATING! I agree with Robert, if you don't LOVE that Panerai, there is absolutely no sense in keeping it. You may have to drop your price a bit but I'm thinking you'd be much happier with that Proplof.

Well I've been thinking about the Ploprof too...

I mean $6k+ for a WATCH?

While I would not be going into debt to get it, that kinda price is HIGHLY disproportionate to my income...

Seems I've been from one extreme, CHEAP SWISS LOVE, to the other, WAY HIGH END, (for my income anyway)...

...maybe I'm trying to find my middle ground now.

Anomaly wrote:

Well I've been thinking about the Ploprof too...

I mean $6k+ for a WATCH?

While I would not be going into debt to get it, that kinda price is HIGHLY disproportionate to my income...

Seems I've been from one extreme, CHEAP SWISS LOVE, to the other, WAY HIGH END, (for my income anyway)...

...maybe I'm trying to find my middle ground now.

Steinhart!

Seriously, I understand feeling like its a bit much to pay. Right or wrong, I justified the Sinn based on my increasing lack of tolerance for dings and such. I'm hoping that the tegimented steel will solve that for me and justify the premium over other 7750s.

. . . welcome to the world of " being human ". But you already know that. Accept your nature and enjoy the things that are important to YOU. If you want the Omega, and you can swing it. . . buy it.

. . . One turn on earth. That's it. That's what we get. After 2 massive heart attacks, major abdominal surgery . . . all before I was 50 . . . I would like to tell you that every day is a gift. Enjoy yourself, be good to yourself, love the people that matter in your life. Persue your passions, and persue your beliefs as well.

. . . buy the gawdam Omega Alan. You really need no reason other than yourself.

I think it is time to call:



The HOROLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGIST..........

The answers are sitting in front of you.only you can figure it out.Everybody whos in this hobby has the arrival watch.
Thats the watch that announces to the world that you have arrived.Some buy a Rolex,some buy an omega.
This arrival watch is you.Its the culmination of everything you've learned about watches over the years.
Get rid of it,then you've learned nothing.You need that one watch with real presense.Maybe its the pam,
maybe not.If you like it,then add the brushed panerai bracelet to get the weight you want.If its because
it doesn't have a bezel,then by all means get the ploprof.But don't fall back into buying a bunch of subpar watches.


My arrival watch was and is the Omega Seamaster.Whats yours.

yamahaki wrote:

The answers are sitting in front of you.only you can figure it out.Everybody whos in this hobby has the arrival watch.
Thats the watch that announces to the world that you have arrived.Some buy a Rolex,some buy an omega.
This arrival watch is you.Its the culmination of everything you've learned about watches over the years.
Get rid of it,then you've learned nothing.You need that one watch with real presense.Maybe its the pam,
maybe not.If you like it,then add the brushed panerai bracelet to get the weight you want.If its because
it doesn't have a bezel,then by all means get the ploprof.But don't fall back into buying a bunch of subpar watches.


My arrival watch was and is the Omega Seamaster.Whats yours.

Very good summation...

How do you think a brushed bracelet would look on a polished watch though?

Then get the polished bracelet.They're all going to get scratched eventually.While people think polished is harder to take care of,
its actually the opposite.You had mentioned earlier that you didn't want polished.The bracelet for the panerai weighs about as much as
the watch head so you'll be doubling the weight.panerai bracelets are some of the most unique bracelets made today.

If you decide to keep the Panerai,make it your own.You can have IWW refinish it however you want it.
Just get the thought of future resale value out of your head.Thats whats making this decision so tough.If you
know its a keeper then resale doesn't matter.If you baby the watch,you'll never get the enjoyment out of it like
you do with a beater watch thats worn every day.

yamahaki wrote:

Then get the polished bracelet.They're all going to get scratched eventually.While people think polished is harder to take care of,
its actually the opposite.You had mentioned earlier that you didn't want polished.The bracelet for the panerai weighs about as much as
the watch head so you'll be doubling the weight.panerai bracelets are some of the most unique bracelets made today.

If you decide to keep the Panerai,make it your own.You can have IWW refinish it however you want it.
Just get the thought of future resale value out of your head.Thats whats making this decision so tough.If you
know its a keeper then resale doesn't matter.If you baby the watch,you'll never get the enjoyment out of it like
you do with a beater watch thats worn every day.

Polished Mesh maybe?

I would get the polished bracelet.
Really changes the look of the watch.
It's solid and non-tapered.
Transforms the watch/bracelet into one complete (heavy) unit.

Nothing better than the panerai bracelet.The mesh has straight ends and doesn't fill up the lug horns.I have mesh for the
omega,but I much prefer the supplied bracelet.And as far as mesh goes,you really get what you pay for.plenty of crap mesh out there.
If you want the best of both worlds,get the ploprof mesh with matching deployant.Then you'll have panerai and omega rolled up
into one.

I have to agree about bracelets. It's seldom that I have liked an aftermarket bracelet as much as the OEM bracelet. The exception is the Watchadoo on the Monters. I like the Monster bracelet on my OM but the Watchadoo on the BM is killer too. Other than that, there hasn't been a single after market bracelet that worked as well on any watch I can think of as the manufacturers original bracelet.

It's surprising, given how BIG after market straps are for Panerai, that there aren't bracelets that are case fitting for them that are high end.

You seem to be suffering an extreme case of the let down after the hunt. Extreme in that your quarry was about $5K. Before your horological epiphany and the abandonment of Cheap Swiss Love, would you have sold off your collection just because, or was it a matter of necessity to finance the change of heart? The decision to dump the PAM..is it financiallly motivated or just that it really wasn't what you thought it would be? Only you can answer those queries. Personally I'd keep it and get the Panny bracelet. It still is a helluva watch. Then start working toward the Ploprof, if that's what you want as well.

cski wrote:

You seem to be suffering an extreme case of the let down after the hunt. Extreme in that your quarry was about $5K. Before your horological epiphany and the abandonment of Cheap Swiss Love, would you have sold off your collection just because, or was it a matter of necessity to finance the change of heart? The decision to dump the PAM..is it financiallly motivated or just that it really wasn't what you thought it would be? Only you can answer those queries. Personally I'd keep it and get the Panny bracelet. It still is a helluva watch. Then start working toward the Ploprof, if that's what you want as well.

It's not a financial necessity to sell it...

...just disappointed in the weight.

SOMEONE SHOW ME WHERE I CAN GET THE PANNY/AFTERMARKET BRACELET!

THIS may fix my issue...




Found it on ebay...

Strap
has the 'round sections' of the links polished and the rest BRUSHED...
so its not too 'blingy'

Anomaly wrote:

THIS may fix my issue...




Found it on ebay...

Strap
has the 'round sections' of the links polished and the rest BRUSHED...
so its not too 'blingy'

Looks good. Is it this one?


They also have it in brushed.

I have one of those from ebay; I think the bracelet will make all the difference!

I like the polished/brushed combo as the case is polished but the lock is brushed...

...hmmmm, may be onto something here.

Also found this one from StrapCode...

Got mine a couple years ago from here:
http://www.internationalwatchman.com/bracelets/panstylecrewlink.html

Ron is slow but true (also a wholesaler so way cheaper than most)
Also not too internet/email savy - pretty sure others here have dealt with Ron.

At the time he insisted the bracelet was an authentic Panny from the same manufacturer.
Bought my Marine Diver directly from him also.

I say go with the panerai bracelet, I think the brushed polished combo would be best fitted for your 112.
The other one you showed, just doesnt look right, it doesnt have that panerai feel to it, it looks like a polished watchadoo.

jaw wrote:

Got mine a couple years ago from here:
http://www.internationalwatchman.com/bracelets/panstylecrewlink.html

Ron is slow but true (also a wholesaler so way cheaper than most)
Also not too internet/email savy - pretty sure others here have dealt with Ron.

At the time he insisted the bracelet was an authentic Panny from the same manufacturer.
Bought my Marine Diver directly from him also.

Best price so far for sure!

I LOVE International Watchman's straps. His Buffalos are among the best I've ever owned and they're $10 each!!

As JAW said, he's not very internet savvy so I order via Fax with a CC. Have never had a problem and have ordered hundreds of dollars worth of straps (at $10-15 each that's a LOT of straps) over the years.

Can't vouch for his bracelets, but his deployants have been fine and are good quality steel IMHO.

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
Other companies have gone down this road.
What road? pretty easy.China doesn't have any patent laws on the books or copyright laws either.
Ocean7 and prometheus tried this tact before by claiming that some of the highend swiss companies were having
cases and parts made in the very same factory that they were using but because of confidentiality agreements with the
factory,they couldn't say which companies.

So these companies say that their watches are produced by the same companies that some highend swiss companies are using.
They say this to try to validate their own watch brands.Since China doesn't have any laws against patents and trade marks,
then why can't these supposed individuals post up the companies names?well they can't because its not true.

You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
Some say swiss made.others will state the company name also.For omega,its stamped swiss made or omega SA.
if it just says Stainless steel then it was sourced outside of Switzerland.
Panerai Marks all of their bracelets,Officine Panerai, Swiss Made.So that dispells where a panerai bracelet is made.

This is where I part ways with others on this topic.You have a panerai.put a panerai bracelet on it,not a replica bracelet.You'll
always know that the bracelet isn't real.Kinda bad having a real panerai with a replica bracelet.
That would be like me putting a replica zenith bracelet on my defy.please don't throw aftermarket straps up.Its two totally different
things.

yamahaki wrote:

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
Other companies have gone down this road.
What road? pretty easy.China doesn't have any patent laws on the books or copyright laws either.
Ocean7 and prometheus tried this tact before by claiming that some of the highend swiss companies were having
cases and parts made in the very same factory that they were using but because of confidentiality agreements with the
factory,they couldn't say which companies.

So these companies say that their watches are produced by the same companies that some highend swiss companies are using.
They say this to try to validate their own watch brands.Since China doesn't have any laws against patents and trade marks,
then why can't these supposed individuals post up the companies names?well they can't because its not true.

You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
Some say swiss made.others will state the company name also.For omega,its stamped swiss made or omega SA.
if it just says Stainless steel then it was sourced outside of Switzerland.
Panerai Marks all of their bracelets,Officine Panerai, Swiss Made.So that dispells where a panerai bracelet is made.

This is where I part ways with others on this topic.You have a panerai.put a panerai bracelet on it,not a replica bracelet.You'll
always know that the bracelet isn't real.Kinda bad having a real panerai with a replica bracelet.
That would be like me putting a replica zenith bracelet on my defy.please don't throw aftermarket straps up.Its two totally different
things.

god strike me dead, im agreeing with Sean..... only joking.

I agree, putting a fake bracelet on a real Panerai, just doesnt seem right. Its like having a
solid gold Rolex, and you need to buy a replacement one, and you put it on a gold plated bracelet, just doesnt make any sense. Panerai bracelets are amazing, and the fit and finish is great, and its a swiss made bracelet, to go along with your very expensive swiss made watch. I would say, buy the real deal.

tattoo chef wrote:

yamahaki wrote:

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
Other companies have gone down this road.
What road? pretty easy.China doesn't have any patent laws on the books or copyright laws either.
Ocean7 and prometheus tried this tact before by claiming that some of the highend swiss companies were having
cases and parts made in the very same factory that they were using but because of confidentiality agreements with the
factory,they couldn't say which companies.

So these companies say that their watches are produced by the same companies that some highend swiss companies are using.
They say this to try to validate their own watch brands.Since China doesn't have any laws against patents and trade marks,
then why can't these supposed individuals post up the companies names?well they can't because its not true.

You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
Some say swiss made.others will state the company name also.For omega,its stamped swiss made or omega SA.
if it just says Stainless steel then it was sourced outside of Switzerland.
Panerai Marks all of their bracelets,Officine Panerai, Swiss Made.So that dispells where a panerai bracelet is made.

This is where I part ways with others on this topic.You have a panerai.put a panerai bracelet on it,not a replica bracelet.You'll
always know that the bracelet isn't real.Kinda bad having a real panerai with a replica bracelet.
That would be like me putting a replica zenith bracelet on my defy.please don't throw aftermarket straps up.Its two totally different
things.

god strike me dead, im agreeing with Sean..... only joking.

I agree, putting a fake bracelet on a real Panerai, just doesnt seem right. Its like having a
solid gold Rolex, and you need to buy a replacement one, and you put it on a gold plated bracelet, just doesnt make any sense. Panerai bracelets are amazing, and the fit and finish is great, and its a swiss made bracelet, to go along with your very expensive swiss made watch. I would say, buy the real deal.

Ok, you guys put a fund together to raise the $2,000 it costs for the the Panerai bracelet for me...

How about your try the more mundane bracelets that mere mortals wear first and see if you like it?

yamahaki wrote:

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
....8<...
You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
...8<...

Yeah - I hear ya Sean. I cannot verify Ron's claim.
I also seem to recall he claimed the Marine Diver case was from the same Panny manufacturer.
Didn't matter to me at the time - just wanted the Panny look - had to have it at any cost (other than a real Panerai).
And so far a fine watch - ETA 2824-25. No trouble whatsoever.

Also checked the bracelet...while its well made, no Swiss mark ANYWHERE.

yamahaki wrote:

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
Other companies have gone down this road.
What road? pretty easy.China doesn't have any patent laws on the books or copyright laws either.
Ocean7 and prometheus tried this tact before by claiming that some of the highend swiss companies were having
cases and parts made in the very same factory that they were using but because of confidentiality agreements with the
factory,they couldn't say which companies.

So these companies say that their watches are produced by the same companies that some highend swiss companies are using.
They say this to try to validate their own watch brands.Since China doesn't have any laws against patents and trade marks,
then why can't these supposed individuals post up the companies names?well they can't because its not true.

You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
Some say swiss made.others will state the company name also.For omega,its stamped swiss made or omega SA.
if it just says Stainless steel then it was sourced outside of Switzerland.
Panerai Marks all of their bracelets,Officine Panerai, Swiss Made.So that dispells where a panerai bracelet is made.

This is where I part ways with others on this topic.You have a panerai.put a panerai bracelet on it,not a replica bracelet.You'll
always know that the bracelet isn't real.Kinda bad having a real panerai with a replica bracelet.
That would be like me putting a replica zenith bracelet on my defy.please don't throw aftermarket straps up.Its two totally different
things.

I agree also with Sean.

Anomaly wrote:

tattoo chef wrote:

yamahaki wrote:

Jaw,I'm sure that Ron claims his bracelets are made by the same asian company that panerai uses.Fact is though its just a claim,not a fact.
Other companies have gone down this road.
What road? pretty easy.China doesn't have any patent laws on the books or copyright laws either.
Ocean7 and prometheus tried this tact before by claiming that some of the highend swiss companies were having
cases and parts made in the very same factory that they were using but because of confidentiality agreements with the
factory,they couldn't say which companies.

So these companies say that their watches are produced by the same companies that some highend swiss companies are using.
They say this to try to validate their own watch brands.Since China doesn't have any laws against patents and trade marks,
then why can't these supposed individuals post up the companies names?well they can't because its not true.

You want to know if a bracelet is swiss made in Switzerland then look at the bracelet.Its always marked.ALWAYS!
Some say swiss made.others will state the company name also.For omega,its stamped swiss made or omega SA.
if it just says Stainless steel then it was sourced outside of Switzerland.
Panerai Marks all of their bracelets,Officine Panerai, Swiss Made.So that dispells where a panerai bracelet is made.

This is where I part ways with others on this topic.You have a panerai.put a panerai bracelet on it,not a replica bracelet.You'll
always know that the bracelet isn't real.Kinda bad having a real panerai with a replica bracelet.
That would be like me putting a replica zenith bracelet on my defy.please don't throw aftermarket straps up.Its two totally different
things.

god strike me dead, im agreeing with Sean..... only joking.

I agree, putting a fake bracelet on a real Panerai, just doesnt seem right. Its like having a
solid gold Rolex, and you need to buy a replacement one, and you put it on a gold plated bracelet, just doesnt make any sense. Panerai bracelets are amazing, and the fit and finish is great, and its a swiss made bracelet, to go along with your very expensive swiss made watch. I would say, buy the real deal.

Ok, you guys put a fund together to raise the $2,000 it costs for the the Panerai bracelet for me...

Well, you said the ploprof was about 6 grand, so you would have had to add money to that from the sale
of your panny, just use that............

Alan...I'm going to be frank. Sell it! If you are having thoughts of selling it now, it may go away for a little bit when you get a bracelet, but it will come back! Trust me, I have bought many watches that I thought that I would keep for a long time...only to sell for one reason or another.

The only watches that I know that will stay are my two Omegas. They are classics and there is nothing that I do not like about them.

It is your decision, but I would hate to see you go thought all of the trouble just to sell it down the road.

That is my take on the situation, but take the time and make the decision on your own...don't listen to us madmen, because we are sick in the head. Like my mom always said, don't take advice from a crazy person (she was talking about my grandmother!! )

[quote="andrema"]Alan...I'm going to be frank.

Crap, Mark, I dont want to change my name, Ill call you Frank if you want, but can I still be
Don?

I can see how confusing this hobby can sometimes be !
There is always that part of you that says "this", or "that".
Making you second guess yourself at just about every
turn. Honestly, the second guessing will probably happen
no matter what decision you make down the road. The
thing that you want to try and do is make this hobby
"fun" like you said before ! ..That might be keeping
the Panerai, and putting various bracelets or straps on
it. It might even be selling the Panerai to get a Ploprof !
Or maybe something in between, like keeping the Panerai,
and looking around for less expensive watches like a
Formex, Steinhart etc. There really isn't a clear answer,
or solution imho !..I guess it all depends on how much
you genuinely like your Panerai ! If you REALLY like it,
but just want a different bracelet added, then that might
be the best way, as well as being FUN ! ..If you REALLY
want that Ploprof though, then go that route, which would
also be FUN ! Or maybe go with some lower priced watches
somewhere in between which would also be FUN ! ..I guess
what I'm saying, is that even though you or we sometimes
get confused, or even stressed on what decision to make
within this hobby..That maybe THIS is PART of the FUN !
..Thinking, looking, talking on the forum about all of this, just
might actually be "the fun" in the end ! ..So basically, the
decision is yours ! Just try to take your time in whatever the
decision may be and..have fun !