Panerai homage

There was a Parnis Panerai homage I’ve seen way back before. Try looking into it. 😊 

Check out the Lumtec M59 or the Anonimos… not homage companies that have a really close look to panis… 

Here's another way to get a Panerai at a fraction of the cost. Bit of a challenge in this solution though.... https://youtu.be/EOKQ2-7aab4

There is "Getat Marina Militare" which is a Chinese homage and seems to have good reviews.

I don't know if you will be willing to entertain a Vostok option at the time being, nevertheless it's an option. It's not one to one homage, but has the same sandwich dial with the same arabics font.

I own a Panerai-inspired Parnis (PA6073, though several watches have this ref), different dial design, but same design language. It is mostly a fine watch, but in two ways I found it disappointing:

1. No lume on the digits. The digits are painted. The digit design still looks as if those lines needed to be interrupted, but they are just indented.
2. The date window sits too far back, and is not easy to read in gloomy light conditions. 

Might be an interesting project for a watch modder, simply filling the grooves of those indented digits with actual luminous powder.

There are a couple of Panerai-sh watches from Steeldive that actually have proper lume: the SD1935S and the SD1938. And SanMartin's SN041.

You might look at TW Steel. There are a couple of Canteen models that look like a Luminor, the TW1000 and the TW1001. Here is a link to the TW1001:

https://us.twsteel.com/collections/canteen/products/tw1001

Thank you, I hadn't heard of these. I'll have a Google 👍

I've never built or even modded a watch before, so that would certainly be something new to try!

That Gets looks great. I can't obviously see it anywhere in stock in the UK but I'll keep an eye on eBay 👍

Edit: Also, not sure how I feel about Vostoks at the moment. Maybe if I could find one second hand I would. 😬

Thank you for this 👍

The beauty of the Parnis would be it could tick both the U Boat and Panerai boxes.

I do like the green dials on the Steeldive.

Thank you, I'd never heard of these guys. I love the slashed numerals 👌

Just a suggestion really. Probably not that realistic an option but if anyone is interested, it's there. 

Have fun hunting 🤛

What's the dimensions of the model your itching for? There are a few Panerai SKX conversion case options available. 

https://usa.crystaltimes.net/shop/models/skx007-mod-parts/ct716-skx007-to-panerai-conversion-case/

https://www.namokimods.com/collections/skx007-cases/products/nmk930-nautical-crown-guard-skx-watch-case-brushed

Quick search didn't find a dial as nice as your post picture I did find this one (they have a few color options):

https://watchandstyle.net/products/d0377-sandwich-dial-sunburst-orange

Anyway long story short you could consider a custom build inspired by a Panerai (that's what I do to ease my luxury watch cravings). Parts gathering would be the challenge but assuming a NH36 and sapphire glass I would guess they would total under $400 probably closer to $300. I'd offer to do the build but I'm not confident enough in my skill to build for others but I know a guy in Canada would likely do it for $200 to $300 plus parts. 

Anyway something to consider. I just don't see any conversion cases that aren't on the larger size.

I bought a £60 Benyar Panerai like watch from Amazon UK. It looks really nice, other than the movement, however I was able to regulate the movement to around +2s/day.

I liked it so much it made me get a Panerai. Definitely recommended to see if it can scratch that itch, however please don’t hold me responsible if you find that this makes you buy a Panerai like it did me!

Edit: Sorry, just seen you‘re in the UK going by earlier posts. This is the link to Amazon UK where I purchased this if you’re interested in acquiring one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08KZVKMXJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That green looks so beautiful! I wouldn't say no to the blue either ❤️ They seem very scarce on eBay, which is my usual go-to place, but I can see Jura do them from £1,990. Just need them to have one of their 20% bank holiday sales in about 6 months time when I've saved up 😁

Modern Panerai-branded watches are just homages of actual Panerai watches. So don't stress it, buy whatever homage you like and can afford!

For similar case shape Fears and Duckworth Prestex comes to mind and have some originality to them.

Check watch repair channel on youtube if you plan on doing it, he did a video in how to build a watch with parts from ebay. For beginner.

Fears are already on my 'must own at some point' list with their Archival, but certainly their Brunswick is beautiful, and if the archival has sold out by the time I'm ready to buy one then that will be my next choice 👌

Not heard of Duckworth so will go have a look at them. Thank you 👍

It’s strange, the metal looks nice, but I have no idea what it actually is. I don’t know a great deal about how to tell what the case is made out of, but it looks the part at least complete with the gradient/sunburst dial from the new Panarai Due line (As in your image at the top of the thread).

The whole thing performed quite nicely and I just fell in love with it to a degree that caught me quite by surprise, I realised I wanted to wear it all the time and knew I’d be upset when it broke on me. Also it kinda upset me that I wanted to wear this £60 watch over things I’d spent 10x more on.

They do have some different colour ways on Amazon which hopefully you’ve seen if you’ve found the selling link. The strap pictured is not the one that it came on, although the one it came on is quite nice, it’s a tan suede with a Benyar branded pre-v buckle.

What I found when making my decision, was that it was important to decide which Panerai elements you actually like. Is it the dial font (in which case that rules out many of these Panerai like watches), the lack of individual minute markings (Which I find hugely relaxing, I found that when there are individual minute markings I’m much more anxious about making sure the watch is running to the second, accurately - OCD), the 12, 3, 6, 9 being on the dial, the sub seconds dial style, the case shape, the sandwich dial, the weird crown guard lever thingy, all of the above?

I bought a Lum-Tec before the Panerai, a brand which someone else mentioned above. It’s a lovely watch with a gorgeous blue sunburst dial, cushion case, sandwich dial, but when I bought it, I knew I liked Panerai, but I hadn’t quite worked out why I liked them or which elements drew me in.

I just thought Panerai looked good, but there are so many options, in the Panerai catalogue itself, without even counting all these similar looking brands. Deciding which elements you do like and want to have, might help steer you towards one particular choice in the world of options out there.

I kinda wish I could lend you my Benyar, because I think a week with it would really help you decide what you like and don’t about the brand, without spending anything.

Thank you for this. @VintageNat 

I think it's the styling of the numerals and the case shape that appeal most to me as they are so unique.

I wish I could borrow your Benyar too! 

I'm going to continue scrolling through endless watch pics and see what ends up attracting me the most 👍 Will let you know if/when I've made a decision.

Gruppo Gamma has some models that may fit the bill: https://gruppogammawatches.com

I bought one of their Vanguard models years ago and really enjoy it. Here's a photo of it:

Oooo.... Thank you for the juicy lume shot 👌 their peacemakers are VERY nice. I especially like the blue edging on the hands.

I don't hear folks mention them too much, but the company has some cult followers (like me), and they seem like good guys. If you like a big bold watch, they do them very well!

If it's the cushion case look of the Panerai that you like, Geckota has several cushion case watches that I personally feel are quite attractive, and they are certainly reasonably priced.

Here is a photo of the G-01 with brushed grey dial as an example. It lists for £ 249.

Thank you for this, I hadn't considered looking at their watches. Are they the folks who do the straps? I'll go take a look. 🙏

Yes - they do indeed do straps. I have one of their ST19 based chronographs (W-02) , and feel it's very well done. I've seen that G-01 in person as well (one of the members of our local watch enthusiast group has one), and it looks awesome in person.

Just noticed a Panerai homage from Seagull on the new watches on AliExpress that looked pretty faithful to the original. And then I looked at the customer pics - well, it is not just an homage, it is a replica disguised as a homage. [And I am calling it replica rather than fake, because the customer knows what they are getting.]

Archive Watches is based out of the UK and has one homage in silver as well.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1128620354/italian-naval-homage-watch-military-45mm