I'm about to get left a Panerai Submersible Carbotech 42mm, about three years old, mainly because the former owner is now gone, and his missus wants me to have it. She and her late husband are/were well aware of my penchant for larger watches, he having sold me many of my collection over the years, but never anything quite like this.

I've been looking at the many Youtube articles about the company, and the jury would appear to be out on the whole Panerai thing right now. Thoughts from current owners would be appreciated.

I've never owned one. But I like a few of their models quite a bit, as do many in the watch enthusiast community. 42mm would be my best option with them. The one you are getting is quite special, as I imagine you've deduced from your research.

It’s quite a watch. They are worth the prices they fetch, used, but are a bit overpriced, new.

Purely my amateur option, but when they don’t compare well against Rolex/Grand Seikos/Cartier/Higher End Omegas, etc which they have tried to price themselves against.

I have a PAM88 that I have had for about 12 years. Once you get used to wearing a larger watch it is hard to wear something smaller. Prior to the 88, I was wearing a Rolex 40mm Platinum Yachtmaster that felt tiny after getting comfortable with the large 88. The watch you are about to get is a special one, enjoy.

My law partner has a Panerai and loves it. He has been wearing it daily for about 5 years without any issues.

Very interesting looking watch.

I have a PCYC Flyback. Pretty awesome watches and glad I have one in the collection. I have a 8" wrist so it does not present to large.

It was a gift from my Father in law so it really means a lot to me.

I have one and I love it. My wrists aren't that big and it wears well. I have a Luminor with the easy strap change buttons on the back of the lugs and it's great being able to swap them around.

I have other watches and what I like about the Panerai is it's clean look. I also like that it's not very common place. Before I purchased it, I was actually shopping for a Rolex. While Rolex does retain value much better than Panerai, I didn't like the fact that "everybody and their mother" has one. I have gotten many compliments on it and questions about it. It has been very reliable.

I have a 351. If I’m dressing up nice it’s my go to for sure. I have large wrists so they wear well for me.
If you’re not familiar it’s the watch on the Sig.

I've tried my damndest to be a Panerai owner except each year I get a little more money the prices move up out of range. Even the Ferrari watches they made that were "discounted" when they came out as not "true Panerais" are back to absurdly expensive.

One thing to note is if you're buying a used Panerai, get it from a dealer because the Richemont Group has been making Panerai easier and easier to copy and fake by the Chinese while other companies like Rolex are adding more details to the watches and packaging to make life harder.

Thanks for all the responses. My daily wear is a choice between a Rolex DSSD, Marathon J-SAR, Omega Flightmaster and four Breitlings - all are 44m or bigger. I have forty-four watches in the whole collection - very few smaller than 42mm. Our late friend WAS a Panerai dealer - there's no way I'd even consider it otherwise. Thanks again, fellas.

David Truong was wearing one for a while.

Tac, you need to post up some of your collection in the watch thread.