Considering a Planet Ocean..Need a little direction
Hello, to date I have been just a Rolex and old pocket watch kind of guy. But, the Orange Planet Ocean really has my attention. The problem is I cannot figure out what is what. It seems there are two sizes. 42mm and 45.5mm. Then it seems like there is a new in house 8500 movement as opposed to an older 2500 or 2900(?) movement that may be an ETA. When I look on eBay, some of them have many bids and some no bids. On this forum the Planet Oceans seem to sell right away. I called a dealer some 75 miles from where I live and he said he has a new 8500 42mm for $4500. I probably have no interest in a new one. Especially at that price. So I seem to have done as much research as I can but still really have no clear idea as to what is out there and what I would be buying. Any enlightenment that some of you could give me on what seems a myriad of choices would be welcome.

UK Panerai price increase
Unfortunately, this is not one of those doom and gloom 'might be a price increase' threads. It has happened. I was just looking at the UK website and saw that the 233 is now ?10,400, my beloved 533 has increased from ?10,800 to ?11,300 and the 311 has gone from ?14,400 to an eye-watering ?15,300. No real surprises given that Richemont increase their prices annually. Montblanc and Cartier have also increased in the UK. However, and quite interestingly, the 533 is the same price out here as what is was when I first started hunting Panerai back in about June 2016 at S$19,150. The UK has had two Panerai price hikes since. Someone talk me through that one

Gray market vs AD and future servicing
To all the fellow Paneristi - long time lurker. I just experienced something that not sure has been well covered. For my first Pam 422, I purchased this through an AD, no issues, friendly service but got ripped off on price - I did get two free straps, a T-shirt and a key chain. But I overpaid by a good $2000 USD.Now for my newest addition Pam 590, I decided I would go gray market and save a ton of money. So I did and I thought there were no issues and did save a lot of money.Fast forward, it turns out that my 590 crown has problems in not being able to wind fully. Something is a-miss. I sent it back and it was fixed by the gray market seller - actually really fast. Same issue again, so this time I took it to a connection at the AD who had his expert take a peek as a favor. It turns out the 590 has had original Panerai parts substituted with generic servicing parts. My AD said this will be much more common as the MFGs take all of the movements made in house, limit parts distri

Panerai - Health Warning Required : May Seriously Dent Your Wallet
So bought a 112 to compliment my rolex lvc a fortnight ago, as I've been hankering after a Panerai watch for a little while.Did the inevitable and visited my local Panerai stockist to order an additional strap (assolutamente).Helpfully and suspect cunningly, the very helpful sales assistant let me try on a 422 to see what the strap looks like in the flesh.After a week of deciding and having my wife pinch my 112 as she loves it, I bought the 422 today.I know they said buying a Panerai could be addictive for the straps but this is altogether a different proposition.Both watches are great by the way and can't see the rolex getting much wrist time now - just looks too small now.A true Panerai convert

New Rolex Air King vs Omega 300 coaxial
I know I know it's like comparing apples to oranges, but here is the thing. I bought one for my birthday and the other one was a present from my in laws .I don't need both, I know this is Rolex forum :) , but I still want second opinion.I like the look of vintage omega tribute slightly more, but airking is beyond comfortable, the only thing that bothers me is the busy dial, or specifically goofy choice to include double digit numbers , sigh 😔 Please share your thoughtsPics are coming