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

[Posh]

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. 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:



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.

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:






Holland & Holland:




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.

[axdslngr]

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..

[MK08]

I don't think U-Boat watches hold a candle compared to Panerai, the level of fit and finish is not even close. If you like the U-Boat look save a couple of grand and get yourself an Invicta Russian Diver, works for Governor Arnie

[bpumod]

having owned both rep and gen panerais, i have to say that i haven't had a rep i would say is anywhere near as good as gen.