Jeff,
I know what you're saying and already knew you liked mine (at least a little bit). I agree with you on the garish models many brands are making - a'la Cartier's dive watch (and pretty much all Cartier except ladies' styles). I do see that there's a lot of watch snobbery out there for Panerai. The Watch Snob (http://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches/ ) has no respect for the brand (except he liked a 42mm Radiomir). That's why I said let the haters hate, not due to your comment on these models.

I only replied because I have been on the road for a few days and have been quiet - you gave me a perfect venue/segue to chime in again. The Panerai watches that I like best are the most plain, or the ones with the vintage OP logo or the "pig" (submarine) treatment.

Regarding the "Mr. Fuego" - when I first joined the forum, I thought it was a typical forum where handles are used instead of names. I used ElFuego which is a name I use on motorcycle and fishing forums, and thought that was now my required login. I'll try to see if I can post with my actual name - this forum is my most visited site and I feel like y'all are my buds and as such, feel free to use any name or nickname you want for me. Just please don't call me "Ears" or "Dumbo" which bring back painful memories of my childhood. :-)
Mike Stell

: Mr. Fuego:

: I do like your Panerai . . . a lot. It's just that I do not like
: these new models . . . at all. Is there any watch in the brands
: heritage / "DNA" that has any elements of the new
: version?

: There's a gold rush / land grab going on in the watch world --
: brands make as many watches as they can, with as many (crazy)
: looks as they can, as expensive as they can, and people with too
: much money will buy a lot of them.

: Jeff

: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: