Which one should i go for my first watch ? Rolex or Panerai

[swleong]

to me, rollie is like the bones to watch collectors, first you must have bone, then the flesh - Panny.

i need bones to stood up, and flesh to look good.

This is one interesting analogy of flesh and bone.......

[ckoh]

u will have more fun to wear a panerai, because of the strap changing, feel fresh when u wear different strap every day. and all model r limited, some special edition will in value in the future 

[kygan711]

yes, super lots and many straps to buy until if may cost at least half of your watch value. If not careful maybe you can buy another watch with your entire strap collection and it doenst end cause so many new accesories worldwide. Go check out the strap suppliers list in paneristi.com and you will understand why.

can't beat the feeling and watch feels like new everytime with new strap.

[Bert Lee]

I was in the same dilemma as you were about 9months ago. Roles or panerai?
I would say GO FOR PANERAI... I drop the Rolex and gotten a panerai instead. Never have looked back. Now I only looked at other brands eg BR, IWC, JLC but never at Rolex even for once if I need to fork out my $$$ to get a watch. If free, then it's a different stories.

Go for panerai... So many straps to change... Since I gotten my PAM104 in January 2014, I hv gotten not less than 7 different straps.... Go figure why I hv that many straps...

[ckoh]

seems like we r poisoned by the strap at the end but not the watch.

[Yikkie]

That is why some people categorize Panerai as a "fashion" watch.   

[contender]

Hi Watch Snob,

Can you list your ratings for high-end watch brands from best to worst? I'm guessing Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne would be best, but I’m curious about the rest of the list and where you would rank Rolex.

Thanks,
Robert

This is a loaded question and one that deserves a lengthy answer. I cannot — and will not — give you a shortsighted, quick response, because I know it will be taken out of context, which will just mean more plebeian, misinformed, angry, and borderline racist e-mails from you (I’m looking at you, Panerai guy).

The “best” is a relative term. Patek Philippe is the best mainstream watch company in terms of lasting value, history and tradition. A. Lange & Sohne is the best newer watch company in the same vein as Patek, that isn’t Patek. Armin Strom ain’t bad either.

Thomas Prescher and Greubel Forsey are the best makers of tourbillons in the world. Urwerk and MB&F are the best makers of mechanical art. FP Journe and Philippe Dufour are the best “Masters of the Universe” timepieces that won’t get you knifed because no one knows what they are, or that they cost more than a Tribeca loft.

There are plenty of brands that most people consider “high-end” that, while I respect, simply aren’t superlative in any way: IWC, Vacheron, Piaget, and Zenith all make nice watches, but they are meaningless.

Then there are watches that only the uneducated and simpleminded believe to be luxury watches. This distinction goes to Hublot and Panerai, of course. Anyone who buys these watches is a fool, and both companies will shut their doors before I turn 40 — you can count on that.

Then there is the mighty Rolex. Would I put Rolex up with Patek or A Lange & Sohne? Not for a second. But, do I consider it a very important step above IWC, Zenith and even Vacheron? Most certainly. The reason is this: People care about Rolex; nobody really cares about those other brands. There are dedicated forums to Rolex, get-togethers, books, you name it. When was the last time you saw a Vacheron event or a book about IWC that people actually bought? Sure, their movement may be in slightly better shape than your average Rolex (debatable, surely), but in 20 years, your Rolex will be worth something — and everything else will be scrap metal.

[chrisyen]

Hi Watch Snob,

Can you list your ratings for high-end watch brands from best to worst? I'm guessing Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne would be best, but I’m curious about the rest of the list and where you would rank Rolex.

Thanks,
Robert

This is a loaded question and one that deserves a lengthy answer. I cannot — and will not — give you a shortsighted, quick response, because I know it will be taken out of context, which will just mean more plebeian, misinformed, angry, and borderline racist e-mails from you (I’m looking at you, Panerai guy).

The “best” is a relative term. Patek Philippe is the best mainstream watch company in terms of lasting value, history and tradition. A. Lange & Sohne is the best newer watch company in the same vein as Patek, that isn’t Patek. Armin Strom ain’t bad either.

Thomas Prescher and Greubel Forsey are the best makers of tourbillons in the world. Urwerk and MB&F are the best makers of mechanical art. FP Journe and Philippe Dufour are the best “Masters of the Universe” timepieces that won’t get you knifed because no one knows what they are, or that they cost more than a Tribeca loft.

There are plenty of brands that most people consider “high-end” that, while I respect, simply aren’t superlative in any way: IWC, Vacheron, Piaget, and Zenith all make nice watches, but they are meaningless.

Then there are watches that only the uneducated and simpleminded believe to be luxury watches. This distinction goes to Hublot and Panerai, of course. Anyone who buys these watches is a fool, and both companies will shut their doors before I turn 40 — you can count on that.

Then there is the mighty Rolex. Would I put Rolex up with Patek or A Lange & Sohne? Not for a second. But, do I consider it a very important step above IWC, Zenith and even Vacheron? Most certainly. The reason is this: People care about Rolex; nobody really cares about those other brands. There are dedicated forums to Rolex, get-togethers, books, you name it. When was the last time you saw a Vacheron event or a book about IWC that people actually bought? Sure, their movement may be in slightly better shape than your average Rolex (debatable, surely), but in 20 years, your Rolex will be worth something — and everything else will be scrap metal.

actually how many watces we all wear not for fashion?

Rolex making millions and millions of its diamond and bling bliing watches !
the signature fluted bezel on the most famous and best selling watches on earth, yeah.... the Datejust
is meant to be bling and shine at all angle of lights !

Panerai and hublot for fools? i wasnt sure about the writer intention... and whether he know? the vintage panerai deal price is skyrocketing in auction center. the buyer are all fool? earlier modern production of panerai, prototype pieces all price went up crazily...
does he know vintage patek price was high, 1 main reason is patek is the most active party in auction center? paying higher and higher price for its vintage piece, get back to put at museum.
their budget in marketing all concentrate in auction
while rolex budget in marketing all into advertisement, they present everywhere, no change in watch design !

panerai success.... was also due to its association to Rolex, vintage rolex collector is into auction market as well for vintage panerai!
anonimo, ennebi..... all associated with panerai also making their mark

hundreds of brand is trying to copy Panerai success! big watch, bold and strong DNA design...

when is he going to turn 40?

[watzisname]

Actually I think he made peace with Panerai . They sent him a Radiomir to review and he said it was not bad.

Actually I dunno why people are so concerned about whether other people will recognize the watch they're wearing. If you really wanna impress normal people, just stick a wad of cash on your wrist or wear your bank book around your neck.

[Everdying]

Actually I think he made peace with Panerai . They sent him a Radiomir to review and he said it was not bad.

Actually I dunno why people are so concerned about whether other people will recognize the watch they're wearing. If you really wanna impress normal people, just stick a wad of cash on your wrist or wear your bank book around your neck.

if not mistaken, he said the radiomir is bearable cos he doesnt like the 'malignant growth' that is the crown guard on the luminor.

[watzisname]

Actually I think he made peace with Panerai . They sent him a Radiomir to review and he said it was not bad.

Actually I dunno why people are so concerned about whether other people will recognize the watch they're wearing. If you really wanna impress normal people, just stick a wad of cash on your wrist or wear your bank book around your neck.

if not mistaken, he said the radiomir is bearable cos he doesnt like the 'malignant growth' that is the crown guard on the luminor.

Yeah that too,, haha

[ezza88]

Always go with the Rolex for the 1st precious watch...

[STeeLPrOpheT]

Hi guys, been thinking recently about getting my first watch. Got 2 option in my mind, which is a pre-owned Rolex Pepsi in mint condition with box and papers around RM16-17K or a brand new Panerai 000 which is around 16K, both are almost in a range of price but a very different watch, one is automatic and another one is manual winding. Personally, i think pepsi rolex's feeling is more towards fashion and style and it's well recognised brand, meanwhile the pam give the masculine and mature feeling. Ps: i only plan to buy 1 watch to keep for long time, no plan to sell in near future. What do you shifts think ?

Panerai Luminor marina models for a start I think, other additional features like 1950 casing, GMT & power reserve are also in good demand