Advice please sirs Rolex GMT vs Panerai 44mm 00104

[Goatboy]

Hello all,

I have a Rolex GMT Master circa 1999 I think the model is the 16700 and has the pepsi bezel. The watch was a gift from my wife a decade or so ago but I don't wear it because it just seems too small for me.
What I really want is a Panerai 44mm 00104 (or others around that budget) instead and after a long time the wife agrees that I should sell the Rolex to make way for the Panerai. I have seen the panerai second hand privately at £3300 with black crocodile strap and spare rubber one with clasp all tools and papers. Looking online I have seen at second hand dealers the rolex going from £3700 upwards.

I am just setting the scene so to get the best advice sorry if its a bit long winded.

So my questions are I guess do all of the prices above make approximate sense? Also My Rolex has never been serviced still works fine but does it make sense to service it first or not? Also on this point where would you guggest I get it serviced Finally how would you go about the process of selling ie dealer and PX and therefore what amount for me to flip the two? Finally I am based near bond street so is there any jeweller that you would recomend speaking to about exchanging mine for a Panerai.

Thanks very much in advance.

Edited by Goatboy on Monday 5th March 12:49

[Grey Ghost]

Goatboy said:

Finally I am based near bond street so is there any jeweller that you would recomend speaking to about exchanging mine for a Panerai.

Have a chat with Dom at Hackett watches http://www.hackettwatches.com/

He is based in Hatton Garden and looks after quite a few PH'ers and our watch fetish problems

[Goatboy]

Good stuff. I will do that.

Thanks,Bruce

[andy_s]

Yeah - as above, Dom would be good to speak to if you're looking at swapping basically.

[djmotorsport]

Another vote for Dom - top bloke.

But, if the PAM 359 ticks the boxes, PM me - just too big for me.

[Goatboy]

djmotorsport said:

Another vote for Dom - top bloke.

But, if the PAM 359 ticks the boxes, PM me - just too big for me.

Ok I am clearly an amateur as I can see no discernible difference between 00104 and 359. Are you able to enlighten me as to the difference between the two?

Thanks

[djmotorsport]

PAM 359 is one of a few Panerai to have numbers instead of markers, polished v brushed case and sandwich dial v painted for the 104 - after that, I'm with you - no expert.

Edited by djmotorsport on Monday 5th March 20:07

[Goatboy]

Ok chaps I am going to view some watches on Monday and am looking to PX my GMT. Its probably something to do with selling the Rolex (which was a gift and some sentimental value)but I am asking myself if I am doing the right thing. Not being a watch snob but speaking to someone who clearly is he was very disparaging about the Panerai brand.

Talk to me as Mr Tibbs would say.

[Spice_Weasel]

I too have a GMT Master 16700 (but with black bezel), bought back in August 1998. It does look/feel quite small these days, though I find that I acclimatise to it if I wear it for a few days. It's size does often help however, as many of my watches are bigger which can cause shirt cuff problems, whereas the GMT just slips out of view easily. Even my IWC Spitfire Chrono at 42mm is sometimes awkward to stuff up a cuff! I really think that the bigger watches work better as casual wear or with single cuff chirts.

I wore the GMT on last week's ski trip for the reasons that it has the second time zone and it's compact size doesn't cause problems when wearing ski gloves, jacket etc.

I plan never to sell mine (fingers crossed) and to pass it down to my son. So my advice is, keep it. It's already (almost) a classic, it will hold it's value and there's always room for more than one watch in a gentleman's bedside accessory box!

[Goatboy]

I do have a PO that I wear daily that my son who is only 6 has laid claim to. Thanks for the input

[Spice_Weasel]

In that case, I think you need a third watch.

It's a slippery slope.........

[andy_s]

keep it

[Thunderstruck80]

I'd keep the GMT 100%.

Panerai, Will fall out of fashion in a few years time IMHO.

Popcorn ready

[R.P.M]

100% keep the Rolex.

[Goatboy]

Thunderstruck80 said:

I'd keep the GMT 100%.

Panerai, Will fall out of fashion in a few years time IMHO.

Popcorn ready

This is exactly why I got put off the panerai. That said my Rolex has been unworn for 5 years plus

[T22AGA]

Second time around at Greys antiques 58 Davies street london near bond street tube station is a very good place to start i have purchced and sold several times with them ..They can also service your watches

[Adam B]

Love my PAM 104, wish it had the sandwich dial of the 101 I swapped it with but other than that it's ideal for me, the simple clean Panerai design and batons look nicer than numbers on the dial IMHO

I have a SS Daytona which i also love

Generally wear the Rolex for work where its slim and less conspicuous, and the Panerai at weekends along with a couple of others, as others have said its a slippery slope

[Goatboy]

I really never thought I would feel this conflicted over a watch purchase. It's so annoying but the further I dig into my GMT Master II history the more I realise what great and rare piece of timeless engineering it is.
As a hoarder it doesn't change the fact that I will probably wear the GMT very rarely as I prefer my 44mm Planet Ocean on the wrist.
So I might just have to finance the Panerai outright while I send the GMT off for a service and polish. Maybe when it's gleaming I will fall in love with it again.

[Nattyboy888]

I have a 1999 gmt2 and I fully agree with spice weasels comments around it feeling a bit small if you haven't worn It for a while. But I also have the panerai which has proved to be a bit hit and miss in terms of he overall ownership experence. The winder rod broke which wasn't great. I wear it sometimes down the pub and love it. But then sometimes I frequently seem to look right past it in he watch box in favour I others. I still love my gmt to bits after all these years, and could never sell it - which is just as well as it has great sentimental value (bought it in Nathan road (my name) in hong kong, when I got engaged !