The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So I'm standing in line at a soup/sandwich place getting lunch today. I notice the guy in front of me is wearing a Panerai, so I say to him, "Hey, that's a nice Panerai. What model is it?" He responds, "Oh, uh . . . I don't really know." And that was it . . .

I didn't even bother to show him what I was wearing because it was very apparent he would have no idea what it was. Additionally, he seemed to have no interest in carrying on a conversation about watches either. Considering how strong the Panerai brotherhood is and how die hard Panerai owners seem to be, I'm going to do you Panerai guys a favor and say this guy must be the exception that proves the rule.

I realize there is a large population of people who buy expensive things and don't know anything about them. It just left a bad taste in my mouth and I needed to vent. I'm feeling better already . . .

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

It could well have been a present or a bonus from work or a fake for all you know Craig. Worry not mate

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"It's not how it's written it's how it's read"

You sure it wasnt one of those homage things?

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-RJ

Why would this upset you?

With all due respect, when I'm in line at a checkout, I'm not up for small talk. Perhaps he knew quite a bit about the watch and didn't feel like getting into a discussion about it.

No need to be upset about it.

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

Checkout line or not. I will say when I see the "B" in the wild I try to always comment on it. I have never had a Breitling owner say anything other than positive remarks and happy to talk about the watch.

R/

I was in the nordstrom shoe department this past weekend and saw a salesman wearing a Panerai, I believe it was a 312. I had on my 112 but didn't even bother to comment on his Pam since I had no idea if he knew anything about the watch, or if it was a fake. A few minutes later I saw a guy trying on some shoes wearing a blue dial Superocean. I don't know how much or if he's a WIS, so I wasn't going to comment on it.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I had the same thing happen, in a story I've shared before on this forum. At Kentucky Oaks a few years ago, I came across a guy wearing a Superocean. I was wearing mine, and I commented on the Superocean he was wearing. He replied, "No, this is a Breitling." He didn't know the model of the watch he was wearing.

As I emphasized the last time I told this story, "Superocean" is on the damn dial. It's like not knowing the model of car you're driving.

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[Witty signature here]

Are Panerai watches known for being faked pretty well? I'm no expert at spotting fakes, and I realize you can't judge a book by it's cover, but when I see a barista wearing what appears to be a $7500 watch I become suspicious.

I can't get past the guy not knowing what he himself is wearing. Did he steal it? Was it a gift? Does he know it's a fake and didn't want to engage you? Is he just loaded and bought it drunk in Vegas and woke up one day with it on his wrist? I need the answer. The car analogy is spot on.....

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Chronomat Evo (White, Arabics)
Avenger Seawolf (Black, Batons) INCOMING?

You didn't flash the "Panera WIS sign" so he ignored you.

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UN Maxi Marine Ti
B01, BEB
SOH
Aerospace Ti
Chrono SO
Omega 300 Master Co-Axial Chro
Omega PO Chrono.
AP ROO Diver
Titan Black Rolex DSOD Honeycomb Dial

Yes, and given the simplicity of the designs, the fakes can be pretty damn good.

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-RJ

If you haven't noticed, I enjoy talking watches. BUT I would no more discuss my watch choice that day with a stranger in line at a grocery store than ask the checker to announce over the P/A "Very expensive watch in aisle 9, need price check" . It's a big parking lot out there and I don't carry a weapon.

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SHARKMAN

I've never chatted to a random member of the public about their watch and I don't think I ever would..... but them I'm British and obviously very reserved!

But I have commented on a watches that work colleagues have worn and 2 out of the 3 occasions I've spoken to people, the guys didn't really know what they were wearing. The only guy who did was wearing a SDDS but then he's is a semi-WIS and we had a good chat about watches in general. The other two (one was wearing a PAM 111, and the other was wearing a Daytona) in both cases their wives had bought them as presents because they (i.e. the wives!) liked the look of them! The guys had no clue what they were, other than being "quite expensive".

That sort of thing doesn't really bother me, but I also can't help thinking it's just a bit of a shame when people don't take an interest especially considering the price of some of these things, but the fact is, 99% of the worlds population just aren't that interested in watches. To be honest, I wasn't overly surprised about the Daytona guy as Rolex's tend to be the default choice for non-WIS people with money. But the Panerai guy was a surprise as other than him I've never seen a genuine Panerai (which this was) on the wrist of a non-watch fanatic.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

well im a chatter box i see a nice watch and i make conversation weather they want to or not sometimes they must think im a weird well i guess i am ...

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I shop at (Andrew Michaels Jewelle's )

@ Palantas and jnelson3097, thanks for sharing your experiences.

@ Drtymrtini, I think this bothered me because I expect more out of a Panerai owner. If the guy was wearing a Rolex, I would automatically assume he just bought the watch for the name and knew nothing about watches. However, in order to wear a Panerai, my feeling is you must really be a WIS. They certainly aren't the most attractive watch to your average Joe, so I default to thinking anyone wearing one must be a WIS. I was just really surprised when I got a blank stare from the guy. This pretty much echos what Driver8 said.

I doubt the watch was a fake, as this guy was in his 50's and was dressed pretty nice, but I suppose it could have been. Maybe the guy is like sharkman and is reclusive when talking about his watch.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

A good way to guess if a Panerai owner is likely a WIS or not is to see if he is wearing an aftermarket (most often ammo) strap. Of course the eye glance down to YOUR wrist to see what you're wearing is also a good tell.

Otherwise the same applies to any other brands out there -- 99% watch buyers are NOT WIS. They buy whatever happened to catch their fancy, or what the AD said is the in model, or a friend's suggestion, or a gift, or homage/project/fake, or... (can't list all 99/100 reasons).

In fact as a general rule, I EXPECT people to have NO clue about the watch they're wearing -- Panerai or otherwise -- and in a few instances were pleasantly surprised.

As for being a Risti, quite a few active member of the community doesn't own a Pam.

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a few Pams...