I never considered myself to be a collector of anything. When I found something I liked I would set a goal and make it mine. Unfortunately when I find something I like, I tend to want every style available of that item. As a child this was an easy task. For example, if I wanted more army men than I could get more for just a few pennies. As a teenager the task became obtainable but a little more difficult as my taste had become a little more expensive. As an adult I learned to control my wants while concentrating on my needs. However my wants superseded my needs the day I was introduced to Officine Panerai watch brand.

I have always been attracted to watches; I have owned various types Digital, Quartz, Solar and Mechanical. Round, Square, Rectangle even diamond shaped. As a young adult I assumed that a watch was nothing more than a fashion piece. I never considered the history associated with the premier watch brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, or Vacheron Constantin just to name a few. The only thing I knew was that there was a certain stigma associated to a man wearing a fine timepiece and that Rolex was at the top of the food chain.

Rolex is indeed one of the most popular brands available today. I have owned six of them and find them very enjoyable to wear and unless something changes, I will always keep a Rolex in my arsenal of watches. That being said, I have found a new love.

In my pursuit to obtain every Rolex watch I could afford to buy I discovered a little know watch brand, who at the time had just re-launched a new style of their historical watch brand. That brand was Officine Panerai. This watch brand caught my attention for so many different reasons. The watch is large, very luminescent and has unique pillow styled case that houses a very unique locking mechanism that covers the stem.

One may ask how a simple timepiece can say so much. The short answer is that a simple timepiece may not say much at all, but a finely crafted mechanical wristwatch shouts to the rafters that one has sophisticated taste. Those who have come in contact with the Panerai brand understand the attraction to this brand all too well. Unlike any other watch brand (to my knowledge) Panerai has created a virtual cult following. Those who love this brand have also created their own community. It is just that attractive.

Giovanni Panerai started the brand in 1860 while in Florence, Italy. The company know for its large dial and bright luminescence was commissioned to produce precision instruments for the Italian Navy in their under water exploration efforts. As early as the 1930's watches were being made specifically for the Italian Navy Commandos. Many years later Panerai was resurrected and had begun to produce watches for John Q. Public. Panerai received the kick-start they needed when actor Sylvester Stallone became interested in the brand. Mr. Stallone was so in love with his newfound passion that he commissioned Panerai design a watch especially for him. The watch was letter named the “Slytech.” Panerai produced about two hundred Slytech watches for Mr. Stallone, his close friends and family members.

The Panerai styling that sparked my interest became a reality thanks to the in part to the Richemont group, who in 1997 took over the brand. The Richemont group has taken the patented Panerai design to a whole new level. They have created a unique, clean-looking, robust watch that has captured so many so in just a few years, with a passion that has never been seen before in the history of watch collecting.

In my collection I currently own Luminor GMT steel, black dial, more commonly known as the PAM 88. This was the second watch in this brand that I purchased; the first was Luminor Sub, known as the PAM 24. These two watches may represent the most popular choice of this brand. However, in my quest to obtain a limited addition timepiece I sold both of these pieces but within one week I had to have my trusted PAM 88 back in my collection. There is something about the PAM 88 that mesmerizes me. The Richemont group got it right when they designed this piece. The constant demand for this piece and the limited production run (about 4500) may be the reason why this watch has never come down in price. Currently this watch runs about $7200 US, but this should not detour you from wanting to own one of these gems.

I had a friend of mine who owned a beautiful two-toned Rolex Submariner, he was proud of his watch because it was a gift from his brother. He would always receive massive compliments on the watch because it was just that beautiful. Unfortunately someone broke in his home and stole his watch. He was saddened by the event and was remorseful because this was the one-day that he decided to wear another timepiece. His sadness soon changed to gladness. The insurance company paid him for his lost but instead of seeking out a new Rolex he inquired about the PAM 88 that he always would see me wearing. To make a long story short he contacted my salesman and in just a few days later a PAM 88 was the new staple on his wrist.

The passion that one has for something cannot be understood, especially when it comes to wearing a fine timepiece like the Panerai. Yes the cost may be unjustifiable to many but passion and desire simply have no price tag. So the next time you see someone wearing a fine timepiece try to forget about the expense associated with brand. Instead focus your attention on the innovation and history that these brands have and the fact that not all watches mean the same to from person to person. The Panerai pandemonium is in full swing and they are waiting for you.