Fighting the urge to buy another Pagani
The struggle is real.
I already have 3 Pagani Design watches, and although adequate, they just aren't doing it for me. I swore to never buy another one, but the craving is strong. Part of me thinks there's got to be a better Pagani out there, but the rest of me knows that there probably isn't.
My current wishlist includes the Pagani Design PD1672 or the Pagani Design PD1762, so basically the Pepsi GMT or the Polar Explorer II. Let's be honest, these are lookalikes without the good branding not "homages", but I'm not a homage snob and don't care about any of that argument.
Basically, I don't have a GMT in my collection (not that I need one), but if I must have one to be part of the "gang" then I think it should be one of these.
Of course, there's an Invicta Explorer II and a Rotary Henley GMT which are both quartz, and I like both of them too.
There's even a Rotary Henley GMT which combines the two styles.
And when I add the Christopher Ward "homage" C63 Sealander GMT, the confusion gets even worse. Admittedly this last one is priced quite a bit higher than I'm willing to spend (even though I can afford it), and it puts me in my "uncomfortable zone". I've actually reached the checkout stage of buying this one several times in the last 3 months, but then that tiny voice in my head screams "Don't be so silly! It's not worth it!" just before I click the final button.
Maybe I should go up a level in the AliExpress offerings with a San Martin or Chronos GMT? I'm certainly not going to drop down to a Parnis or Tandorio (due to the water resistance).
What would you do?
So many problems. Just so many problems.
I'm pretty much done with collecting now, but I've certainly got a good variety of affordable watches. As an occasional YouTuber, I'm a comedian not an influencer. Skmei is the new Casio!
That green Rotary is a looker! ...but I think it's a quartz where the PD is an auto. I'd probably go for that one anyway, just for something different rather than another copy. (I also have the first and third in your photo).
I don't have a GMT and it doesn't bother me, so I wouldn't be overspending just to tick a box.
Consider the Timex Waterbury GMT, also. I am in a similar browsing situation to yourself — Michael Palin has persuaded me to get one. He doesn’t even wear one that I know of. It’s a long story.
Seiko5 SSK GMT is nice too if you’re looking for one
I can honestly only recommend against the purchase of the Pagani “GMT-Master II”, unless it is powered by an NH34. I got one and the specs in paper were great but the watch in the flesh was a mess. Razor-sharp clasp and lugs, wobbly spongy 120-click bezel, trash springbars, and the cheapest Pearl-whatever movement they could find, which stopped ticking when the watch laid flat just a few months after unboxing it.
Old saying, but just save your money for a real watch. There’s plenty of micro brands working with NH34s at low price points. Or maybe just get a NH-powered San Martin…
This one is making me moist.
Ew…I’m going to retract my recommendation then 🤣
Hi, I have a CW C60 elite, get a CW you won’t regret it
I’ve definitely been tempted by Pagani but never pulled the trigger. How are the quality on them?
For Pagani money, there is also the Seakoss GMT, which is based on Panerai looks.
As you dissed Parnis, somewhat unfairly I might say, beside the usual homage clones they also make some original GMTs, for example:
But if you want to up the ante, there's also Steeldive and Seestern.
I’ve definitely been tempted by Pagani but never pulled the trigger. How are the quality on them?
They are fine. A few years ago there were some QC issues, but not in recent times. I'd recommend their version of the Explorer - in my view prettier than the Rolex's. It's about twice what their clomages typically cost, but you get what you pay for.
If it’s within your budget I’d go with the Christopher ward. Well made, looks lovely, decent warranty, reliable movement.
Since you have already 3 Pagani watches I say get a Seiko GMT or another brand. You don't want your whole watch box to be full Paganis or full homages.
Glycine has some nice quartz
Maybe looking at second hand prices of Pagani watches will help you here
I’ve definitely been tempted by Pagani but never pulled the trigger. How are the quality on them?
I have two, and by all accounts, they are better than they used to be even a few years ago.
Mine has been in hand and on wrist while sorting out a Rolex Sub (2009ish) and it certainly doesn’t feel like the difference that the prices would suggest. Especially now they are pretty much one-hundred percent Seiko movements in there.
It’s possible I just got lucky with mine (eBay purchases at that, so second hand) but unbiased reviews in general seem to overall rate them highly, especially at the price.
They aren’t always quite the photocopier jobs people make out either, whilst still clearly in the homage space people are generally happy about when it is/was CW or Dan Henry. Or even when Rolex started out, or Omega pre-Bond and post Quartz crisis.
Basically, they are properly affordable watches — not ‘shall I buy a watch or a new TV’ price. They’re on Amazon, so have customer care through that third party, and people could do far worse than get one if there’s one they like the look of.
I'm researching it now.
That’s the exact one I am eying up. Still too rich for my blood, but it looks really really good.
I actually have the Pagani with the NH34 movement inside and it's fantastic. I got it on sale for $122🇨🇦 and it's worth every penny. The bracelet is trash, so leave it in the box or toss it in the bin and replace it, I went with silicon and FKM rubber straps. The watch head is well finished though, and mine appears to have been regulated, as it's keeping to about +2 seconds per day and has been consistently since I got it. It's about the least expensive way to get the NH34 experience and, while it's not perfect, it is still very good. I'm happy with mine though, and it regularly gets confused for much more expensive watches now that it's on the dolphin grey silicon strap. For the price and for what you are getting, it's a good piece, but the San Martin GMT with the same movement is positively stunning, if you don't mind paying a few extra dollars. You won't have to pitch the bracelet on that one either!
"Don't waste your money on a GMT" would be my sincere advice to you as a fellow avid watch collector myself. Also, if it's possible sell all those cheap PD watches and buy a San Martin watch with PT5000 movement. Their OP homage with MOP dial is a great option imo.
Because I also did exactly what you have done, I spent so much money for mediocre Aliexpress watches but once I realized my mistake It was too late. It's a rookie mistake all new collectors tend to do. I couldn't even resell all of them because they have no second hand value at all. Also wearing a quality piece in your wrist gives you a unique feeling of confidence and happiness.
Of course I wouldn't spend more than $750 for a wrist watch anyway but my point is go for the maximum quality pieces within your budget. Quality over quantity. Then while you enjoy that watch search for another great GADA type watch from a good microbrand.
"Don't waste your money on a GMT" would be my sincere advice to you as a fellow avid watch collector myself. Also, if it's possible sell all those cheap PD watches and buy a San Martin watch with PT5000 movement. Their OP homage with MOP dial is a great option imo.
Because I also did exactly what you have done, I spent so much money for mediocre Aliexpress watches but once I realized my mistake It was too late. It's a rookie mistake all new collectors tend to do. I couldn't even resell all of them because they have no second hand value at all. Also wearing a quality piece in your wrist gives you a unique feeling of confidence and happiness.
Of course I wouldn't spend more than $750 for a wrist watch anyway but my point is go for the maximum quality pieces within your budget. Quality over quantity. Then while you enjoy that watch search for another great GADA type watch from a good microbrand.
Of course they have second hand value. People like me buy ‘em on eBay for 50/70 quid. (Which, if you bought them on Aliexpress in a sale is practically 80-100 percent what was paid, and about half what they cost on Amazon.) Which does some other collector a favour. They regularly go for 90, even 100 quid that I have seen. They cost at most 160 new don’t they?
Besides which, unless you’re on the Rolex Investment train, who buys watches for short term investment?
I get you about Pagani. I bought their moon watch homage, and while good, didn't hit the spot. It's good value but lacking that wow factor.
However, I do get that feeling from San Martin. To the point that I am questioning the value of buying mid lvl Swiss brands.
Another option is Steinhart. I love their watches! I have their explorer homage, and the actual Rolex explorer, and guess which one I wear more. Yeah, the Steinhart. Part of that is due to less concern about damage; but I really don't get the feeling that I'm missing much from the explorer.
The CW is a conversation starter, but the Pagani is a conversation stopper.
I just purchased a Torgoen. Wanted a GMT for the same reason. These are great watches for the price. Check out the specs.
https://torgoen.com/
Aint nuthin' like the real thing, baby. But its scary how the Chinese are bit by bit being able to close the gap in quality and sell at bargain basement prices. I wonder to what extent these knockoffs impact is to the real deal's brand's pricing. I have two Tandorio's (are they Pagani, different label?) and they are OK, but much more refined than my 13 year old Chinese Oyster clone generically labelled "MQJ". 🤒
Consider the Timex Waterbury GMT, also. I am in a similar browsing situation to yourself — Michael Palin has persuaded me to get one. He doesn’t even wear one that I know of. It’s a long story.
Michael Palin Piranha Brothers Sketch "Yes It will be ready, the watch. The CHINESE watch, um hmm"
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e928e6db-7bef-4072-9f3d-86761595ffee
Michael Palin Piranha Brothers Sketch "Yes It will be ready, the watch. The CHINESE watch, um hmm"
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e928e6db-7bef-4072-9f3d-86761595ffee
Lol, actually it was watching him sail across the pacific again.
I own the Pagani Design Pepsi GMT and it's actually really nice. I've had no issues with it and it keeps time just fine as any of my other automatic watches. My only issue is I don't really need the GMT function in general. I wanted it for the look to see how I would like such an iconic watch in a sense but that's about it. I thought I was done with the Pagani's for a while but I just purchased the new Pagani Design DAY DATE 36MM with the light blue dial... literally the most expensive looking and feeling watch I own by far!!! I'm on the verge of buying the same watch twice to wear one as a beater at work with no worries of getting it damaged since I'd have an extra one if one got destroyed lol.