Addition to collection - Panerai or IWC??

Addition to collection - Panerai or IWC??

Author
Discussion

EK993

Original Poster:

1,946 posts

258 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
Am looking to add a watch to the collection - so far I have 2 Rolex - a steel GMTII and a SS Daytona.

Thinking of either an IWC Portuguese Automatic, or a Panerai Luminor Marina Automatic.

I really like both, and can't seem to find anything that one has over the other to make me favour it... any advice / insights people can share that may sway my opinion one way or the other!

Dominic H

3,277 posts

239 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
IWC.

judge Next please...

F1sh

262 posts

232 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
Depends on your budget more than anything else, but I'd agree with Dominic.wink

Danny

EK993

Original Poster:

1,946 posts

258 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
Dominic H said:
IWC.

judge Next please...
Dominic, any particular reasons?

I've always liked watches, but really only started taking a serious interest in 'proper' watches, so still learning lots, and keen to hear advice...

lowdrag

13,033 posts

220 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
There's a thread on here about Panerai and how the old Italian team stayed behind in Italy when the company moved to Switzerland and now make watches under the Anonimo brand. They are lovely watches and considerably cheaper than Panerai. However, I have an IWC so that's where my vote goes. I have the Spitfire chrono with steel bracelet for which I paid £2,750 if that helps. Just love that watch!

Dominic H

3,277 posts

239 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
EK993 said:
Dominic H said:
IWC.

judge Next please...
Dominic, any particular reasons?

I've always liked watches, but really only started taking a serious interest in 'proper' watches, so still learning lots, and keen to hear advice...
Hi Eric,

A nice dilema you have there, the Panerai or the IWC. I've always preferred IWC and owned a few of them. I prefer the designs of the IWC pieces such as the Portuguese chrono, the Doppelchronograph to the Panerai Luminor. It's just personal taste, but I find the design/finish of the Panerai a little too simple or inelegant. Have a look in a decent store to compare, and make your choice from there. Selfidges has a great choice in the new 'Wonder Room'.

Have fun.

Dominic

Pesty

42,655 posts

263 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
I would have said IWC which I still love however after recently seeing a titanium Panerai luminor marina I fell in love with it.
I normaly do not like Panerais' as they are polished teh brushed titanium marina on a titanium bracelet was simply stunning.

win win situation IWC or Panerai IMO

Dominic H

3,277 posts

239 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
Pesty said:
win win situation IWC or Panerai IMO
True, true.....

mcgus

371 posts

222 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
agree with the win win comment to an extent but having just bought a pam 176 ( titanium) to add to my collection I would seriously recommend seeing them in the flesh.

dbroughton

304 posts

221 months

Thursday 8th May 2008
quotequote all
Another man of taste.

I own those very two watches. The key difference is the IWC is pretty much twice the price of the Panerai.

wax lyrical

931 posts

248 months

Friday 9th May 2008
quotequote all
EK993 said:
Am looking to add a watch to the collection - so far I have 2 Rolex - a steel GMTII and a SS Daytona.

Thinking of either an IWC Portuguese Automatic, or a Panerai Luminor Marina Automatic.

I really like both, and can't seem to find anything that one has over the other to make me favour it... any advice / insights people can share that may sway my opinion one way or the other!
Go for a vintage Rolex now!! Have a look at the '1971 watches' thread! smile

lowdrag

13,033 posts

220 months

Friday 9th May 2008
quotequote all
I erroneously quoted the price of a Spitfire when you are looking for a Portuguese. There are four on Ebay, mostly from reputable dealers, at the moment all around the £3,000 mark. Hope that helps if it is your watch of choice.

EK993

Original Poster:

1,946 posts

258 months

Friday 9th May 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice chaps. Both watches are fine from a budget point of view, just need to decide which of the two to take the plunge with... I was leaning towards the Panerai to be honest, but the consensus on this thread seems to steer towards the IWC as the 'better' watch.

As Dominic mentioned I will head down to Selfridges and their watch room.

Exigeowner

873 posts

208 months

Friday 9th May 2008
quotequote all
if the IWC is twice the price of the Pan, then I would possibly be saying to myself the IWC or the Pan + somthing else as well, 2 vs 1

F1sh

262 posts

232 months

Saturday 10th May 2008
quotequote all
Was in a public house last night and a guy spotted my B&R, he was wearing a rather nice Panerai, we swapped for a few moments and I am starting to like them.

Danny

Watch-Collector

256 posts

202 months

Monday 12th May 2008
quotequote all
Well for what its worth if you already own 2 sports watches then maybe the Pam is the better bet . You can still swap the strap to a rubber/leather to make it a bit more dressy !
IWc nice watch but slightly more dress IMO. But then who knows.Just buy both and be done with it!!!!!!!
he he he

WC

dbroughton

304 posts

221 months

Monday 12th May 2008
quotequote all
Not sure about the Panerai being dressy!! Both watches are big but the paneria is often too big to go under shirt cuffs which is more of a pain than it sounds. On the other hand I do change the strap often to suit the activity.

The IWC is a lot more dressy whilst not being a dress watch (unless you get a gold one!!!)

Have you thought about the Panerai and a Portuguese chronograph? the two add up to about the same price as the Portuguese automatic. On the other hand if you are a real movement buff then the Portuguese automatic movement is something special, in house, 7 day reserve etc etc.

You cannot really go wrong.

Dominic H

3,277 posts

239 months

Monday 12th May 2008
quotequote all
F1sh said:
Was in a public house last night and a guy spotted my B&R, he was wearing a rather nice Panerai, we swapped for a few moments and I am starting to like them.

Danny
Bell & Ross..... That's an oversized cat amongst the metaphorical pigeons....

F1sh

262 posts

232 months

Monday 12th May 2008
quotequote all
Dominic H said:
Bell & Ross..... That's an oversized cat amongst the metaphorical pigeons....
Dominic, I'm working back around the corner from you again, I might have to pop down one lunchtime.wink

Danny

jules_s

4,549 posts

240 months

Monday 12th May 2008
quotequote all
An IWC Portuguese Automatic has to be one of the most plain watches I've ever come across.

I doubt 99% of people would even know what it was, let alone know whether it was a copy or a swatch watch tbh lol

I'd go with the Pan given the choice