The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Good to see another Australian here, welcome! Good luck with the Zenith hunt.

I've got a PAM 111 (very close relative of the 112) and I had a Zenith Defy for a while earlier this year. I completely agree with everything Driver8 has said. Zeniths are beautifully made watches and they're extremely rare in the wild, particularly here (I've seen one other in a few years of watch-spotting).

I just have a couple of thoughts to add:

- If you ever want to sell it, trade it, upgrade to something else, etc, you will find that a LOT easier with the Panerai.
- You make a good point about service. I'm not sure, but it might be the case that a Zenith would have to go back to Switzerland to have any work done on it, whereas relatively minor work on a Panerai can be done here in Australia very quickly (I had a broken crown repaired under warranty in well under 14 days). Having said that, I think LVMH have a service place in Melbourne, so maybe they can service Zenith even though there isn't an authorised dealer here.
- If recognition and attention from other people is important to you (and maybe you couldn't care less, but I'll mention it for what it's worth), the Panerai will get a lot more of it.

Of course, these are practical issues rather than issues with the watch itself. I'm not trying to put you off the Zenith, and I'll happily agree that you get far more watch with the Zenith than with the Panerai. The Chronomaster Open XXT is a great watch on just about every level possible, whereas with a 112 you are paying a lot for what you get.

Good luck!

@Otto - thanks for the warm welcome. I probably am more likely to lean towards the Zenith due to its lower 'recognition' and I don't think I'm lucky enough to be buying multiple swiss pieces like many of the members here so would prefer to have a dressier watch for those special occasions even though I plan to wear the zenith daily anyway

although, if I'm not mistaken, the PAM comes with two straps which is very appealing and it seems lots of people on paneraisource sell PAM straps and I'm not sure if Zenith straps are easy to obtain. Call me crazy but I actually plan on having a yellow/mustard colour croc strap with a black dial zenith for everyday use and on those more formal occasions changing the strap to black croc.

One weird thing that makes me choose the Zenith over the PAM 112 is because I'm just a lazy bugger and couldn't see myself winding the PAM 112 every other day

I'm heading off to Malaysia and Thailand soon so hopefully might be able to find one for a good price.

Zenith makes extraordinary alligator straps, not better but certainly more dressy straps than the Breitling croco straps. Thinner and without contrast stitching. More of a matte finish. Zenith alligator strap full retail is $350. The deployment clasp is $550 full retail.

Not sure if you will find yellow/mustard. Who knows?

_________________
SHARKMAN

Thanks Sharkman - your description of 'full retail' seems to imply I may be able to get it for less than that elsewhere?

At an AD in the US it's quite reasonable to expect 25% off retail.

_________________
SHARKMAN

I'm not sure if Zenith do much in the way of different colours for their straps other than black and brown. However if you want something a bit different made I suggest you check out ABP-Paris as you can have a strap custom made pretty cost effectively. ABP are excellent.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

thanks everyone for the advice!!

the zenith is very dressy, and resale won't be great...however if i had to choose one to own it'd be the zenith. this is coming from someone who's owned 4 pams. unless you're stepping up to the higher panerai models the zenith just about wins hands down in every category imo (movement/craftmanship/design/wearability)....oh yea did i mention the movement? with the pam it's not that big a leap from a $300 chinese knockoff to the 4-5k 112.

...(says the guy that's looking for a 000/005)

That's a good point. Panerai has a high recognition factor, so with a PAM, some people may assume you have a knockoff (although I like to think I can tell the genuine item from the fakes when I see them the wild). An open Zenith model is a lot harder to fake.

I also have a Chronomaster Open XXT Grande Date and I absolutely love it. I wear it to work quite often, even though I usually just wear jeans and a sweater or polo shirt. It is a watch that is obviously high end when you actually look at it (and interesting because of the "open" aspect), but it doesn't scream at you when you (or a potential thief) just glance it in passing. I catch a lot of people staring at my Zenith in meetings. The movement is just amazingly refined. It is a fantastic piece to learn to appreciate fine watches by.

As others have pointed out, however, the resale value of Panerais are among the best (if not the best) of any brand. A pre-owned Zenith will only sell for about 50% off of retail. But that's why I got mine pre-owned.

///M

_________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

I am a bit late to this thread and there are some excellent responses already, so not much to add except that in my experience a Panerai offers a lot more diversity and most Zenith watches are a different breed than most watches, so i would think a Panerai would be a logical purchase for someone with a smaller collection whearas a Zenith would come latter on.

_________________
Certified watch nut.

hey everyone

many valid points and good advice

im currently holidaying in thailand and have spent a lot of time looking at watches

i tried the zenith on the other day and realised that it didn't look nearly as nice as in the photos which shocked me a bit. i see a second hand zenith on the buy/trade/sell thread for 4450US which seems reasonable

also tried the panerai on and thought it looked amazing. think im changing my mind from the 112 to 312 because of the 1950 case and automatic movement but the price difference in thailand is about 3k. they quoted the 112 (which they dont stock) at about 6000AUD and the 312 at about 9000AUD.


hmmmm, decisions, decisions, decisions!

If you're going to the Panerai thing, then the 312 would be my recommendation over the 112. Nicer case and an in-house movement.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

thanks driver8 yeah i must say im leaning towards the 312. i like the look/feel or 1950 case better and at thought i first the date and second hand would spoil it but i think it still looks very nice

but what's caused me grief in my decision making is this - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21047

I can see your problem. That Zenith is just simply beautiful. I would def go Zenith but its all in how you feel.

_________________
SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

While the Zenith is a great looking watch I personally like the PAM better, especially if you're talking the 312. I just think that they're more versatile, can be dressed up or down with the change of a strap, whereas the Zenith is pretty much dressed up all the time. I don't think you could go wrong with either one though.

_________________
"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."