I'm Coming Out: The only Panerais I like. I

I was asked by another member if I like any Panerais whatsoever because it seemed like I didn't like any, which is not entirely accurate. I want to clarify my position on them a little. I have a small area where my heart would be devoted to four particular Panerai watches. It's actually bunking right now with that fantasy Panerai floating around here with the beadblasted case, carbon fiber dial and black strap. I don't know who has it or who made it but I really like that watch. If you're the person who owns that watch, good choice. :thumbup:

Now my professional disdain for their watches being ambitiously overpriced, I believe, is justified. They are just TOO expensive in genuine form for what you're getting. Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article. The pictures I've seen, posts I've read and knowing the quality control the genuine watch had for the longest time, these $400 or $500 replicas are REALLY some of the best replica values around. You can LITERALLY build a "genuine" Panerai from scratch which is almost impossible to do with any other watch brand. So I applaud the people who purchased these as replicas; that's exceedingly smart.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/...200490fc_o.jpg

But I say that to say this: I love the Jules Verne Sealand. It's a magnificent watch, really. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is one of my favorite books and the movie from the 60s is a favorite of my mom. The main thing I like about this watch, and the watches below, is the art on the crystal cover. Most Panerais don't have much in the way of ornamentation, which is sad because there's so much surface area with which to work. In 2005, Panerai released 100 pieces of the Jules Verne Sealand and the engraving is out of control.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/...293f9be3_o.jpg

Now while the Jules Verne is engraved extremely well, it's no match for the artistry done for Purdey & Son pieces. Nolo contendre.

My first experience with Purdey & Sons was in sveral years ago when my family and I went to England so my father could show off his vintage XJ convertible at the Louis Vuitton Classic and an owner's event. He went clay shooting at one of his friend's friend's home in the countryside. The man had a small but marvelous collection of Purdey shotguns. Purdey & Sons is a luxury British gunmaker, clothier and accessories company that's been making very high end guns and accoutrement since 1814. Their main rival, Holland & Holland, also makes gorgeous guns and has been keeping pace with Purdey since 1835. Take a look at this matched set:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/...b7cb5462_o.jpg

I love art but despise guns, it's true. The guns are without a doubt art but they are also first and foremost GUNS. I'm torn because Purdey makes such wonderfully detailed instruments of death! I'm sure Cheney's friend forgave him because he got shot in the face with one of these. The guns below are done by Master Engraver Simon Coggan who does work for other firms, at considerable cost, but primarily does his artistry on for Purdey. Look:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/...2ecaeebc_o.jpg

Purdey & Sons was purchased in 1994 by Richemont, the parent company to brands such as Cartier and Montblanc. To increase revenue, they thought adding watches to their offering would be a great addition to the inventory but it had to reflect the company's core values. They thought engraving a watch would synergistic, for good reason obviously, but they needed something large enough to showcase the design and detail of an engraved image. The only brand Richemont owned that they thought would fit the criteria for the traditional British brand was Panerai, a niche Italian company owned by an unabashedly French conglomerate. They have been making them since 2002.

In any case, the detailing on these is ASTONISHING. And compared to anything else offered by Panerai, these are the most beautiful watches they make. I would daresay they are the most beautiful of any contemporary brand. Each piece is limited to 100 pieces so they rare and end up in the hands of Purdey collectors mainly because general Panerai buyers don't know about these. A blessing, I think. These are a few of the ONLY watches they make that I think justify their price tags of about $20,000 each.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/...c59e8a38_o.jpg

These hand-engraved, limited edition watches are the ones they should try to replicate at least once. I mean, they produced these below so why not?:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/...31605ba2_o.jpg

Feel free to chime in, as usual! Love ya, RG!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ................;)

1st class as usual.;)

Posh

So you fancy Purdey? I would say you are a worldly lady. But when it comes to rifles you should never neglect Holland and Holland the undisputed heavy weight of large caliber rifles and shot guns. Next time I stop by my fathers i will shoot some Purdey and Holland pics for you ;) .

Kudos to you for mentioning Purdey.

Ooops you did mention Holland but you need to show their craftsmanship. As it is well on par with Purdey and some of the the older engravings may actually surpass modern engravers.

Wow... "It's hard to comprehend. But they laughed at Jules Verne too."

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Originally Posted by axdslngr

Posh

So you fancy Purdey? I would say you are a worldly lady. But when it comes to rifles you should never neglect Holland and Holland the undisputed heavy weight of large caliber rifles and shot guns. Next time I stop by my fathers i will shoot some Purdey and Holland pics for you ;) .

Kudos to you for mentioning Purdey.

Ooops you did mention Holland but you need to show their craftsmanship. As it is well on par with Purdey and some of the the older engravings may actually surpass modern engravers.

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Thanks! Holland & Holland DOES have some of the most magnificent pieces in the world to their credit. There's no doubt. Purdey should gain a bit more exposure through the whole Panerai thing, but not enough to supplant Holland & Holland. Purdey can always say they go their Royal Warrants first. :lol:

Get some pics of those guns the next time you go. I think I along with everyone else would enjoy!:D

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Originally Posted by Triple-d

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ................;)

1st class as usual.;)

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Thanks, Trip!!

I'm purdey lost.... did I miss something?

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Originally Posted by Posh

[SIZE=3]I was asked by another member if I like any Panerais whatsoever because it seemed like I didn't like any, which is not entirely accurate. I want to clarify my position a little. I have a small area where my heart would be devoted to four particular Panerai watches. It's actually bunking right now with that fantasy Panerai floating around here with the beadblasted case, carbon fiber dial and black strap. I don't know who has it or who made it but I really like that watch. If you're the person who owns that watch, good choice. :thumbup:

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...And so it begins. Soon she'll be complaining about how hard it is to pay Dsn and buying straps like a junkie.

So sad. :undecided:

I bet their is a strap or two in the coffers already.

The blasted case with CF dial was built by me. I just sold it to another member here ;) .

"Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article"

Hi all, I'm pretty much new at all this. Does what I just quoted above mean it is easy to find a rep pam waterproofed to 100+mt?

I would love to get my hands on a Fiddy that I could actually go diving in...

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Originally Posted by Alex

"Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article"

Hi all, I'm pretty much new at all this. Does what I just quoted above mean it is easy to find a rep pam waterproofed to 100+mt?

I would love to get my hands on a Fiddy that I could actually go diving in...

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What ?????

That has to be the stupidiest noob statement of the year!

Who, in their right mind, would want to go diving with a 127??

Geez, people, go diving with a cheap ass Seiko and leave that beautiful Fiddy alone....:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by caravaggio

What ?????

Who, in their right mind, would want to go diving with a 127??

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C'mon carravaggio! You never know who you might impress with your watch... 300 + ft below the surface. :lol:

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Originally Posted by caravaggio

What ?????

That has to be the stupidiest noob statement of the year!

Who, in their right mind, would want to go diving with a 127??

Geez, people, go diving with a cheap ass Seiko and leave that beautiful Fiddy alone....:rolleyes:

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That is an interesting insight into your opinion as to what watch to wear on a dive, so thank you for that.

My original question, however, remains unaswered: if, as Posh says "Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article", I would like to know if they are as good insofar as their waterproofing characterists are concerned.

So, Caravaggio, if you don't know, I'll just have to make do with your contemptuous reply...

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Originally Posted by Alex

"Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article"

Hi all, I'm pretty much new at all this. Does what I just quoted above mean it is easy to find a rep pam waterproofed to 100+mt?

I would love to get my hands on a Fiddy that I could actually go diving in...

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex

That is an interesting insight into your opinion as to what watch to wear on a dive, so thank you for that.

My original question, however, remains unaswered: if, as Posh says "Most of the modified watches around here are just as good as the genuine article", I would like to know if they are as good insofar as their waterproofing characterists are concerned.

So, Caravaggio, if you don't know, I'll just have to make do with your contemptuous reply...

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Oh come on ol' pal...i was just fooling with you...people here did worse to me when i was a real nerdy noob back in the days....(still am :eek: ).....

To answer your question: some super reps have been sold with the claim that you can go in deeper than shallow waters without any problem. That guarantee is no good unless you put your rep to the test and see for yourself the results. The safest test would be a dry pressure test that will let you know its water integrity of your rep. Do a search here with keywords such as WATERPROOF , WATER TEST... and should be able to find some good read here on RG

back to the topic.....
Nice write up posh, as usual. Purdey sure does some magnificent work

I have NO IDEA if the diver watches are close in performance to the originals. I guess you'd have to have them tested like the other poster said. I assume after getting it waterproofed (new gaskets, etc) it would be but I may be wrong.

Wow, Meine. Thanks for showing us your "Purdey" watch. :D They really will replicate anything, no matter the faithfulness of the end product to the original.

Okay, now that I've seen that, I change my mind. I guess this is one of the few watches I will induct into the "BUY THE GENUINE" list along with the Rolex Daytona, Rolex Deep SeaDweller, Zenith Defy, Zenith El Primero and Hublot Big Bang. That watch looks NOTHING like the original. I'll give them an 'A' for ambition though.

I saw several of the Purdey's at an event in New York and the true-to-life quality of the engraving on those watches borders on the supernatural. Considering that a new, unadorned Purdey rifle or shotgun starts at $85,000 and goes up to $250,000 (or more) with customization, the Purdey Sealands are a veritable bargain. I have to add for the more affluent members of RG that pre-owned Purdeys can be had for the low to mid five figures.

This is what that watch is supposed to look like, with the inlaid gold really standing out:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/...48cd3f39_o.jpg

Another member asked me via PM for some other pictures of their pieces and I thought since I had to get on my knees to a Richemont representative and a Chanel representative (owners of Holland & Holland) for all but one, I decided to share them with everyone. :D

Quite a few guns made by both Holland & Holland and Purdey never even get used as most are bought as investments, decoration for homes or high end gun collectors.

Purdey:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/...f6db0e7d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/...6b4cd5ae_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/...8c2eb6f8_o.jpg

Holland & Holland:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/...554559fd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/...dfa34c94_o.jpg

It's interesting to note that the most sizable and valuable collection of Purdey and Holland guns is owned by Queen Elizabeth II who has been a VERY avid shooting enthusiast since her younger days of working as a triple certified mechanic in World War II. Other Purdey clientle includes most members of the British royal family and aristocracy, the Saudi royal family, various celebrities and luminaries like former President Bill Clinton, Lauren Hutton, Dennis Hopper and Carolina Herrera.

Posh

A few names that need to be mentioned with Purdey and Holland are Peter Capstick and Teddy Roosevelt. These two have stories that exemplify the beauty and power of these weapons.

Teddy Roosevelt http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tr.htm

Peter Capstick http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Hathaway_Capstick

I will have some pics for you Sunday..

those engravings are beautiful.. im not a big fan of the Panerai's with the flip cover whatever you call it lid thing but i can definatly appreciate the workmanship and time involved in makeing them.

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Originally Posted by Quick Brick

The blasted case with CF dial was built by me. I just sold it to another member here ;) .

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Yes, me...... and it looks even better in the flesh.
Always knew you had excellent taste Posh.

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Originally Posted by caravaggio

Oh come on ol' pal...i was just fooling with you...people here did worse to me when i was a real nerdy noob back in the days....(still am :eek: ).....

To answer your question: some super reps have been sold with the claim that you can go in deeper than shallow waters without any problem. That guarantee is no good unless you put your rep to the test and see for yourself the results. The safest test would be a dry pressure test that will let you know its water integrity of your rep. Do a search here with keywords such as WATERPROOF , WATER TEST... and should be able to find some good read here on RG

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Thanks Caravaggio: I'll follow your advice.
After all, PAMs are diving watches, who's reputation trades heavily on their use at sea, so I would be happy with one that I could at least go swimming in.

I have a half decent 47mm Marina Militare rep, that I obtained from helenarou on the bay. It looks great, keeps excellent time, but when I was once caught under a heavy rainfall, condensation developed onder the lens. It soone cleared up, without affecting the watch's performance, but I know now that I will never be able to wear it on the beach.:undecided:

So... nobody here goes deep sea diving with their Purdeys? Disappointing.

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Originally Posted by Alex

Thanks Caravaggio: I'll follow your advice.
After all, PAMs are diving watches, who's reputation trades heavily on their use at sea, so I would be happy with one that I could at least go swimming in.

I have a half decent 47mm Marina Militare rep, that I obtained from helenarou on the bay. It looks great, keeps excellent time, but when I was once caught under a heavy rainfall, condensation developed onder the lens. It soone cleared up, without affecting the watch's performance, but I know now that I will never be able to wear it on the beach.:undecided:

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Some Pam reps may very well be watersafe but you would still need to dry test it to make certain. The dealers here can sell you something like a Pam Submersible, maybe a Slytech or maybe the Arktos but test it first.
Thing is, the image of someone coming out of the ocean with a Pam rep on his wrist is a funny one....I'd take him seriously with maybe a PO or SOSF....imho

I would. My 47mm pvd is pressure tested to at least 10ATM. ;)

Not to speak of my PO or LV that are only tested to 5ATM.

I've no interest of diving deeper than that.

A

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Originally Posted by caravaggio

What ?????

That has to be the stupidiest noob statement of the year!

Who, in their right mind, would want to go diving with a 127??

Geez, people, go diving with a cheap ass Seiko and leave that beautiful Fiddy alone....:rolleyes:

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PAMs are meant to be loved in the fresh air, not in the ocean, fellas.

:)

Someone asked me about U-BOAT watches in regards to Panerai and why I would like them over Panerai, seeing as how they are just as large and ungainly.

Um, U-Boat watches have a lot design elements going on that I like and are, in addition being as large or larger than some Panerais, give your eyes something to enjoy over the surface area of the entire watch. It's a very clean, industrial look that doesn't have that dated cushion shape with just enough surface decoration to keep you from being bored but not so much it becomes gaudy. U-BOAT takes elements from both Bell & Ross and Panerai and uses them to better effect.

They are also MUCH less expensive than most Panerais which makes them a fantastic value; both U-BOAT and Panerai use the SAME movments and even metals in their watches! Why pay more for an Italian brand with a legacy just as new and unremarkable as the another.

Besides, the cost increase of Panerai is due to being part of a publicly traded luxury conglomerate. Undoubtedly, if U-BOAT gets scooped up, their prices will increase as well.Heck, there's been an increase because Tom Cruise, Ralph Lauren, David Beckham, John Legend, and Eric Clapton wear theirs all the time.