Which Italian watch brand do you most appeal to?

This is my favorite, you might think that it is a fashion brand but to me they are a serious watch brand, breaking 8 world records in 10 years. That is serious watch making.

This is my favorite, you might think that it is a fashion brand but to me they are a serious watch brand, breaking 8 world records in 10 years. That is serious watch making.

Unimatic.

The only watch you can also use as a level tool 👍

I like it too 👌

These were released yesterday, fwiw. Limited edition of 500.

I’d probably say Unimatic.

But had you asked a few days ago, I would have said Panerai. While they don’t have anything in particular that I’d buy today, I like the idea of the Radiomir, and if they made a smaller version with decent water resistance and a California dial, I’d be seriously tempted. But the recent SwissWatches Magazine interview with the CEO was profoundly eye-rolling.

Why?

• It’s a company that has zero interest in doing anything new: ”I don’t think we’ll see any more families at Panerai for the next hundred years.”

• What’s worse: they only have two styles! They say they four ‘families,’ but it’s really two: three are variations on the same Luminor theme. Omega has more design breadth in the Heritage sub-line of the Seamaster family than the entire Panerai line has.

• The description of different customer personas is just. so. cringey.

All in all - it seems like a brand that’s just interested in catering to their existing audience and not expanding their audience. That’s a shame. I think Panerai has a very clear brand meaning: luxury “muscular, masculine” watches (as the CEO briefly alludes to) that are instantly recognizable, large, and very clean in execution (which enhance their visual impact). What would the Panerai version of other popular watch styles be (e.g., a field watch)? There’s always a brand dilution risk when you do too much (look at Tag Heuer, for example). But Panerai does so little and brand is stout enough to try doing the “Panerai” version of something else that doesn’t fit their specific heritage. But the company doesn’t seem confident in doing so.

Yes, Bulgari is really top notch, controversial, but those achievements!!… uboat is refreshing (a bit unwearable from my pov and small twist), Panerai to’ me is the go to watch when talking italian brands, it has name, history, robustness and it’s discrete in its own way

Panerai holds a lot good memories for me, so many of my Italian friends were ready to embrace the brand, I was more relaxed about the watches until, my wife and I visited Italy and on a different vacation to Paris. It was a spontaneous weekend trip to Paris for some shopping and to recharge our batteries, mostly for my wife to experience the sales in Paris during the month of June. I was a little bored until my wife offered to buy me a Pam to memorialize the trip. Of course I could not accept but agreed that I might look for one upon returning to Canada. I don’t love them but they are iconic, decent addition for an enthusiast.

I wouldnt mind owning one of the new submersibles with black and blue accents. I'm OK with radiomir but really hate the marine line. I know I am the exact opposite of like 90% of people... LOL

I have read so much sht about ubout over the years, to me it just another name for invicta... Why is Bvlgari controversial?

I like some Panerai and almost got a smaller Luminor Quaranta (at the old/main Panerai boutique in Florence), but when I was in Italy I ended up going with an independent that won me over with story, watch journey, and artisan passion . . . Giuliano Mazzuoli. Most Italian watches are insanely large and this is no different . . . and were it not for the lugless design it would be a no go. Here are some of the latest Manometro models.

I do not own this watch but I am looking at it.

(Italian with a swiss movement)

If there is someone that can destroy a brand, is a CEO with no vision 😑

In the affordable range, Out of Order has also put out some nice dial designs.

True, the design is interesting. I bought one of those from ebay once and sold it after a short period of time, because it felt really cheap. Unfortunately you don't get a lot of value for your money with this brand 😔

As for being labeled a fashion brand or a watch maker. Honestly even for me watches aren’t the first thing that pops to mind when thinking Bulgari, but impressive nonetheless!