moxxey

Yes, it's a definitely giveaway. I have a fully modded PAM 127 'fiddy' and the only giveaway is the darned double AR coating. It even has a proper PAM 127 cashmere strap! Was over in London recently and a Panerai enthusiast was startled that I had a genuine fiddy and was convinced....until he noticed the AR overkill and that set off the alarm bells and he realised it was a fake It confuses me. It's almost as if the replica manufacturers think to themselves that they added a proper cannon pin, the best correct lume and lettering....but it's now so good, we need to make it different from the gen, so they add a bizarre amount of additional AR. There is no need. It's not as if we all live in Dubai and it's so sunny that reflections stop us from reading the time!

Rubbish. The problem is that, although I'm fairly well paid, I simply can't afford a genuine Panerai - my favourite PAM 1950 is around £6000 in the UK, and I don't have a spare £6000. Besides, I'd rather have 4 x replica PAM 1950s, with different straps, than one original. The other thing is that if I damage or lose one, it's cost me a few hundred pounds, not a few thousand. I do buy expensive equipment. For instance, B&O kit, which people would regard as way over priced. True, but they reside in my home and are less likely to be damaged or stolen. Also, the other issue I have is that now the replicas are so good (and fool many dealers), why invest the extra in the genuine model? Apart from you knowing that you've got a genuine model, who else knows? My Swiss PAM 1950s keep superb time, so it's hardly going to perform much better than these models.

Hrm, I don't agree with this. The Swiss 212 is an excellent purchase - I have two of them and they keep perfect time. As for the weight, they're heavy enough. Indeed, most of the non-Panerai people remark that it's too heavy for them. Ok, it's lighter than the gen, but not lightweight. For a few hundred dollars, what are people expecting? Sometimes I get the impression that we're expecting the original Panerai 212 (worth $4500 or more) to be made available for $300, then get 'disappointed' when it isn't. Although I'd love the gen, I'm so happy with my Swiss 212 replicas, that I now couldn't possibly justify the difference in price. For instance, is it *that* much better? Not really. Oh...but I wouldn't get the 253, personally. I bought one and thought it was a bit too detailed - I didn't like the chequered face (I was sent the 253 by mistake, instead of a 212).

Oh yes, for sure. Here's what's happened to me recently: 1) Used to order from Andrew, without problems (well, I received a faulty 1950 once, returned fixed within two weeks!). 2) Decided I wanted a better multi-watch deal and discussed a multi-watch deal from another dealer. Ordered from another 'reputable' dealer from this board. Result? All sorts of issues - sent wrong watches, took weeks to arrive, so-so communication etc etc. After dealing with Andrew/Trusty, I was used to top-end support/feedback, so anything else seems like a compromise. 3) Bought again from Andrew/Trusty, watches ordered and delivered within 5 working days. Sums it up, really

That's a watch from a reputable dealer in the States with extensive (positive) feedback. If you think that's possibly fake, gawd help you

I'd have two or three sets, too.

Yes, I have. Mixed feelings. Some of his watches on (www.swiss-time.co.uk) were described as having 'swiss movements' and shipped with Asian movements instead. His Panerai OEM material is decent, but not as good as the same products from, say, Trusty (his OEM box/paperwork is better). His stuff always arrives speedily and no trouble with his eBay sales.

Gulp. Recently I was in my local Panerai dealer with my PAM127 '1950', with a genuine 1950 26mm strap (yes, I bought a genuine strap for my rep). Anyway, they saw it, asked to look at it as they'd not seen one for a while and even asked if it was something I was planning on trading in at a later date. Basically, they thought it was the original. Chris.