If you own a Panerai and you're weighing up whether to sell it, you've landed in the right place. We buy Panerai watches directly from private owners across the UK, and we've handled enough Luminors, Radiomirs and Submersibles over the years to know exactly what makes each one valuable — and what doesn't.
This page is written to help you identify your watch, understand what it's likely to be worth, and walk you through exactly how selling to us works.
We Buy Panerai Watches
Panerai is one of the brands we actively want to buy. Whether it's a stainless steel Luminor Marina you've worn every day for the last decade, a titanium Submersible, or an older piece with a Rolex-made case from before Panerai became its own manufacturer, we're interested in hearing from you.
We don't sell watches — we're buyers, and Panerai owners are a bigger part of what we do than most people expect. It's a brand with a smaller collector base than Rolex or Omega, which actually works in your favour with us: fewer sellers means less competition for a genuine buyer, and it's usually a faster, more straightforward conversation than trying to place it privately.
Why Panerai Owners Choose Watch Boutique
Not every buyer knows Panerai well — it's a brand people either really understand or barely recognise beyond "the big Italian diver's watch." We're in the first camp. Between us and Ben, we've assessed a good number of Panerai pieces over the years, from entry-level Luminor Base models to more collectible vintage references, and that shows up in the offer we give you, not just in the conversation.
A few things that consistently matter to Panerai sellers:
We pay quickly.
Once we've agreed a price, payment is usually sent by bank transfer the same day. If you've posted your watch to us, we typically pay the day after it arrives.
You don't need to leave the house.
Post your Panerai to us using a fully insured, tracked service, or bring it in and meet us face to face.
We buy any condition.
Scratched crystal, a worn strap, a knocked crown protector, even a Panerai that's stopped running — none of that rules it out, and we'd rather quote you honestly on the real condition than have you second-guess whether it's "good enough" to bother contacting us.
We're straight with you.
We won't tell you it's worth more than it is to get you through the door, and we won't lowball you either. We explain our reasoning so you understand exactly how we got to the figure.
What Affects the Value of Your Panerai
Panerai valuations move around more than people expect, largely because the brand has such a wide spread of models, materials and production eras. Here's what we're actually looking at when we assess one.
Model and Collection
Panerai's range is built around a small number of core case designs, which makes identification more straightforward than with some brands — but owners still regularly mix up the two main families, so it's worth knowing the difference before you contact anyone.
Luminor
the signature design, identifiable by the crown-protecting lever bridge on the case side. This includes the Luminor Base (no seconds sub-dial), Luminor Marina (small seconds), and Luminor GMT. These are the most common Panerai models we're offered, and because supply is steady, so is demand — you shouldn't expect a scarcity premium, but you also shouldn't struggle to find a buyer.
Luminor Due
a slimmer, lighter case built for everyday wear rather than collectors chasing the classic oversized look. It appeals to a different buyer than a standard Luminor, so we price it against that market rather than treating it as "a smaller Luminor."
Radiomir
the earlier, cushion-shaped case without the crown-protecting bridge, generally on wire lugs. This is where we most often see sellers underestimate what they own — vintage and vintage-inspired Radiomirs tap into Panerai's military and diving heritage directly, and specific historical references can outvalue a newer, flashier Luminor.
Submersible
Panerai's dedicated dive line, with a rotating bezel and more robust construction. Demand here has genuinely strengthened in recent years, particularly for less common case materials, so if this is what you own it's worth getting a current valuation rather than relying on a figure you saw a while back.
If you're not sure which family your watch belongs to, that's completely normal — send us a couple of photos and we'll identify it for you.
Reference Number (PAM Number)
Every Panerai carries a reference number beginning with PAM, usually printed on the case back. This is the single most useful piece of information you can give us. Two watches that look almost identical on the wrist — same model name, same size — can be worth very different amounts, because the PAM number tells us the exact movement, dial configuration, case material and production run. It's also the detail most sellers forget to mention, so finding it before you contact us means a far more accurate first estimate.
Case Material
Panerai has used an unusually wide range of case materials for a luxury brand, and it's a real factor in valuation, not just a spec detail:
Acciaio (steel)
the most common and most straightforward to value, with consistent demand.
Titanio (titanium)
popular for its lighter weight, generally holds solid demand.
Bronzo (bronze)
develops a patina with wear that collectors specifically seek out. We regularly get owners who assume this discolouration is damage and worry it'll hurt their offer — it's usually the opposite, provided the case hasn't been polished or treated.
Carbotech and Goldtech
Panerai's proprietary carbon composite and lightweight gold alloy, used on more premium references, and priced at the higher end of what we buy.
Case material is stamped on the back alongside the PAM number, so it's worth checking before you get in touch.
Case Size
Panerai built its reputation on oversized cases — 44mm and 47mm are common on Luminor and Radiomir models — though the Luminor Due introduced smaller 38mm and 42mm options. Owners sometimes assume a bigger case automatically means a bigger number; it doesn't. Size mainly affects who's likely to buy the watch on afterwards, which we factor into pricing rather than treating as a value driver on its own.
Condition and Originality
We buy Panerai watches in any condition, but condition still moves the number. A few things we specifically check:
The crystal and crown protector, the parts most commonly knocked or scratched on a Luminor case.
Whether the strap is original. Panerai straps are easily swapped, and most owners have changed theirs at some point — it doesn't put us off, but we'll always explain how it factors into the offer rather than let it be a silent deduction.
Signs of a non-original movement or replacement parts from a previous service, which we check as part of authentication.
Box, Papers and Service History
A complete set with original box, warranty card and service history will generally increase what we can offer. That said, plenty of owners sell us Panerai watches without any paperwork at all — particularly older pieces bought second-hand or inherited — and it's rarely the reason a sale doesn't go ahead.
Current Market Demand
Demand for specific Panerai references shifts more than owners expect — certain Submersible and Bronzo references have seen real collector interest grow recently, while some earlier Luminor Base models sit in steadier, more predictable territory. We monitor the pre-owned market daily, so the figure we give you reflects what's actually being paid right now, not an outdated guide price or what a similar watch sold for a year or two ago.
Selling Your Panerai: How It Works
Get in touch with your watch's details.
Tell us the model, and the PAM reference if you have it, along with a few photos. Ben or a member of the team usually comes back within hours with an initial estimate.
Send your watch or book an appointment.
Post it using our fully insured, tracked delivery service, or bring it in and see us in person.
We inspect and authenticate it.
We check the case, movement, crown protector and dial, and verify the reference against the PAM number before confirming a final offer.
You decide.
If the number works for you, we pay. If it doesn't, there's no obligation, and if you've posted the watch, we return it fully insured at no cost.
Same-day payment.
Once you accept, payment goes out by bank transfer the same day — usually within minutes for an in-person appointment.
There's no auction fee, no commission, and no listing your watch and waiting for a stranger online to make you an offer. You deal directly with us from start to finish.
Common Questions From Panerai Sellers
Do you buy Panerai without the box and papers?+
Yes. It can increase your offer, but plenty of Panerai watches we buy come without any documentation at all.
Will a worn strap or scratched crystal put you off?+
No. We buy Panerai watches in any condition — worn, marked or not currently running. It affects the price, not whether we're interested.
Do you buy older or vintage Panerai references, including ones with Rolex-signed cases?+
Yes, and often gladly — earlier references, including those from before Panerai became fully independent, carry genuine collector interest and can be worth more than owners assume.
How do I find my PAM number?+
It's stamped on the case back, alongside the case material and, on many models, the serial number.
How quickly can I actually get paid?+
Most sales complete within a day or two of first contact. In-person appointments can be finished within the hour, with funds landing in your account within minutes.
Get a Free Valuation for Your Panerai
Whether you've got a well-worn Luminor Marina, a titanium Submersible, or a vintage Radiomir that's been sitting in a drawer, we'd like to hear from you. Contact Ben and the team for a free, no-obligation valuation, or find out more about how we value a watch before you get in touch.
If Panerai isn't the only piece you're thinking of parting with, we're happy to talk through your wider collection too — we regularly buy from owners looking to sell old watches as well as recent models.
Prefer to see us in person? Take a look at our locations across the UK, or read more about why we're one of the trusted watch buyers in the UK that Panerai owners come back to. You can also learn more about how to sell your watch with Watch Boutique more generally.