The Breitling Watch Source Forums

We are all a bit Breiling biased on this forum, but I am starting to get the "Panerai bug".
I was wondering what the overall quality of Panerai's are? Especially compared to Breitlings.

_________________
Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42
Rolex Submariner

I'm not too sure as to how they compare but I would imagine that the quality is definitely on the high side! When you put them on for the first time (as I did a few months back) it is then when you find out how nice they really are. Plus, the "PAM bug" caught up to me too! But I still LOVE my Lings!

_________________
Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Very high quality on the watch. Straps are so so. That big ass buckle bugs me.

_________________
SHARKMAN

i never cared much for the huge buckles. i do like the fact there are so many strap combos

As a newbie to watches other than Breitling (and i only have the one of those) i cant for the life of me see what all the fuss is with Panerai.......but it is an opinion that i do respect........the inside of the pieces may be beyond my comprehension but the outside appearance is to me rather dull and not very nice looking at all.
I dont want to upset Pan fans at all but that is my opinion, anyone else have the same opinion?

_________________
SUPER AVENGER 563 AIRFORCE BLUE
WHITE SUBS, PRO11 BRACELET

Yeah I'm having an affair with the Rolex deepsea and I jUst got my World a month ago.

I think that was the opinion of most Panerai fans to begin with, but as I understand it you ''learn" to love 'em. I'm still working on finding that love. Ugly as sin if you want my honest opinion.

Agree on all counts. And the straps are definitely nothing to write home about.

_________________
-RJ

Id say that "plain" is the word. The dials are very simple, but I guess thats what its all about. I have some busier looking watches with far more intricate dials, but each watch has its own place.

_________________
-RJ

There is SOMETHING about the PAM Subs 24 and 305 that I just can't get enough of. I guess its love or hate em!

_________________
Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

As far as "quality" is concerned - I wouldn't necessarily argue that my PAM provides more quality than my Breitling or vice versa - it's just a different kind of quality and the focus on details is different from one watch to the next. IMO, the PAM's beauty is in its simplicity and the quality of the materials. I also find it to be a much more rugged watch and am not afraid to knock a PAM around - where I find I need to be more aware of my Ling and it just can't take the kind of abuse that the PAM can.

I also think you either love Panerais or you don't. I don't have the desire to collect a bunch of them, but I can't see myself wanting to get rid of my 359 anytime soon. It's different, it serves a function for me, and I love it - and really, that's all that matters - what YOU love - not others.

_________________
************* ************************ **********
PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

I DO love the way they look, I also love the way Mercedes Benz look, but they are piles of dog S**t! Just wanted to know that its not just the looks, also reliability.

_________________
Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42
Rolex Submariner

Initially I wasn't too keen on their looks either, but while in Dubai I stopped in an AD and got to see them in the metal. Speaking for myself, I think the sandwich dial is a really unique look and I would love to pick up a PAM 359 or 312. Panerai's quality does impress me, but I do not think they are really any better than Breitling in that department. I'm also of the opinion that too many of their styles are so similar that it really makes their offerings confusing and boring. This lack of depth does not really offer much in the way of diversity or promote further purchases after one obtains a piece or two from their line.

Breitling as well as many of the other companies on the other hand, offer much more diversity and distinction in many of their pieces. This adds depth to their lines and with a broader appeal, the customer will be more inclined to collect more than 1 or 2 pieces from them.

IMO Panerai has capitalized on the few styles they offer and they do an outstanding job them, but I think they are missing the boat by their limited diversity in styles.

_________________

I think you might be surprised. Of the big brands, id say that Rolex and Panerai have the least amount of variation across the product lines. These two also have the largest cult followings of just about any watch brand out there. Just as its not uncommon for somebody to own 5 or 10 Rolexes that look almost identical, its not all that rare to find a PAM owner who owns a bunch. Its actually kind of weird.

As for quality, I also cant tell a difference between Breitling and Panerai, but small details/features like the strap quick change system on the PAMs are far superior to what Breitling offers. Then again, they definitely make you pay big $$$.

_________________
-RJ

IMO, "diversity" doesn't = "distinction" nor does it motivate everyone to "collect." I love my Breitling BlackBird, but the rest of the Breitling suite really does nothing for me. There really isn't a huge difference between some of their timepieces - it's just different faces, colors, etc., but the guts are still the same. Same for the Panerais - there's no difference between some of their timepieces except for how they look (sandwich dial vs. painted dial), brown lume vs. green lume, etc....BUT some people are addicted to brands vs. style.

There's no right or wrong answer here - at the end of the day - a $10.00 Timex tells time just as well as my Ling or Panerai or Omega - but it's "everything else" that draws us to a watch. I would assume most of us on this forum would agree that it's not about telling time - it's how we keep time.

_________________
************* ************************ **********
PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller