Poor man's Panerai?

[GloStiX]

There was a kit to build your own Panerai 111 style watch with no markings somewhere on the internet for less than $150 if I recall correctly. High quality Unitas movement that IWI Marine Diver uses, comes with all the tools and a leather strap.

 

[Chips]

I loved the design and size of Panerai, but couldn't afford one. I bought a cheap knock off in San Jose, and found a nice stingray band to put on it. My guilt over owning a cheap knock off is small, but the large scuff that the glass picked up keeps me from wearing it. But it does take a good deal of pleasure out of the occasion, knowing that it's fake. It makes me want to save up and eventually own a genuine one. For now, I instead wear the hell out of my Raymond Weil, but at least that one is genuine. Please excuse the pathetic staged photo, I'm trying to get better at framing and capturing close up shots.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

It's fine to get an affordable watch, but I think it's a little cheesy to get one that is so obviously modeled upon the object of your desire (To me, IWI MD looks totally like a PAM knockoff. ) There are plenty of original, nice watches of similar size and style in your price range.

FWIW and I know that's not helpful to the OP here, I'm of the same opinion.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Understood and agreed.

I just hate going half-assed. A BMW is great in its own right. If the OP wants a Panerai, he should get a Panerai. Or he could get something that's ALMOST a Panerai and never be fully happy with it. In my experience, every time I've wanted X and compromised with Y, I've always wished that I'd just waited a bit longer and gotten what I wanted in the first place.

+1 on this. And I'd sooner get a 2nd hand Panerai logo model than get a replica/homage. There are other places, not just TZ, that offers pre-owned Panerais out there. And, with the way the global economy is going- I wouldn't be surprised to see more pre-owned watches up for sale in the coming months.

Re: fakes- I absolutely won't throw money on them.

 

[william]

Thanks for the replies.

The purpose of my post was to find something in the same vein as the Radiomir... not a fake/replica.

 

[william]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Why don't you just save up and get the real thing? Can't you get a basic Panerai for like $5,000? Is that such a far cry from $1,500?

Yes. 5K is absolutely a far cry from 1.5K.

 

[theguy]

The real thing also goes up in value so you can think of it as an investment you are wearing. Thats what I tell everyone when they say im an ass for spending so much on a watch You could probably get a second hand one for about 4k

 

[base615]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-regattare.php ??

I was going to post about the Magrette but you got there first. It's affordable and isn't a straight knockoff. I think it looks pretty nice.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by william

Thanks for the replies.

The purpose of my post was to find something in the same vein as the Radiomir... not a fake/replica.

Have you looked at the Glycine Eugene Meylan for a lower-priced cushion-case watch? It's not too bad and it's not a PAM knock-off

 

[penguin vic]

Originally Posted by theguy

The real thing also goes up in value so you can think of it as an investment you are wearing. Thats what I tell everyone when they say im an ass for spending so much on a watch You could probably get a second hand one for about 4k
If the real thing goes up in value how come people keep saying to go on timezone and get a (real) second hand one at a better price ..?

 

[whallyden]

How about a Sinn 356 or 656?

http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/sinnwatches.asp

 

[sfo423]

Not true. I don't own a Panerai but I have had a Rolex and a Baume & Mercier since '92; they have not increased in value (albeit not Panerai). If you have a LE or model that is not produced anymore, maybe its value has increased.

I do have a nicely restored vintage two-stroke that has appreciated nicely though.

The economy is sliding; buy a used one at a nice discount from someone that is living on a few months $ cushion and has never seen a recession. That's called a motivated seller.

Originally Posted by theguy

The real thing also goes up in value so you can think of it as an investment you are wearing.
Thats what I tell everyone when they say im an ass for spending so much on a watch

You could probably get a second hand one for about 4k

 

[Dmax]

A interesting Radiomir homage is the Precista Italian by Eddie Platts/Timefactors.com. It uses Unitas 6497-1 movement and runs £335.

 

[itsstillmatt]

I think you should save up for the real thing. Hopefully, for your sake, it will take long enough that you will realize in the meantime that they are hideous watches.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by iammatt

I think you should save up for the real thing. Hopefully, for your sake, it will take long enough that you will realize in the meantime that they are hideous watches.