Panerai stopped working

I do think it would be atypical to for it to have an issue within only 3 years. Presumably it's out of warranty.. The issue I had with mine (speedy/accuracy) was fixed by the panerai service center under warranty, and it took them a few months to turn the watch around. Not the best experience.. Anyway..

Does it have a base movement? If it feels like it's winding against nothing, perhaps just the crown / stem might have a linkage issue, for which it doesn't make sense to pay $480.

That figure is probably for servicing the whole movement (disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, reassembly), and does not seem unreasonable for a typical movement servicing from a big watch house.. Thing is, the base movements that most PAMs have are ETA based and can be fixed or serviced by most independent shops for far less than the quoted $480... Further to that, the movement shouldnt need an overhaul in only 3 years (IMO), so maybe just focus on getting the issue "repaired" rather than having the whole movement serviced..

to answer your original question, $480 is normal coming from panerai, considering they'd probably rather just overhaul the whole mvmnt rather than fix the particular part causing the issue. of course, the $480 is worth some level of comfort and security, much like how servicing your porsche at a dealership vs. an unknown independent might give you reassurance..

hope it works out, either way

 

$480 doesn't seem out of line for an authorized dealer service, though you might save money at an independent. 3 years is at the short end, but it happens. The steam room may not be a good thing; despite claims of water resistance, the temperature differential created by hot/cold transition and the energy of vaporized water molecules can get past watch seals/gaskets. Hot spa/sauna/steam rooms/hot showers are not recommended for even diver watches.

http://watchit.ca/waterres2.html

http://www.vgasy.com/english/service_baoyan.php

http://www.jckonline.com/blog/Jewels_on_Jewels/15744-Trend_Watch_Promoting_But_Not_Explaining_Water_Resistant_Watches.php

 

Did you buy it from an AD? If so, what kind of relationship do you have with them? (ie. have you bought other watches, or, do you send them business?) If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, I'd go back to them first if you haven't already.

 

Sounds like the mainspring snapped.

 

Sadly my wife's Rolex Lady Datejust had a problem with that. She wore it regularly for 3 years into the hot shower, then it needed a service. Not sure if GMT Masters have better seals or not.

 

The GMT, Submariner, Sea Dweller, Yacht Master, and Explorer are all sport watches... they may have different seal integrity.

I've got several watches, and the only one I would consider get's "abusive" wear and is subjected to water (inc salt water) is a Rolex Sub. I've never had an issue, and it's had a pretty rough life... but it gets a regular service so that may help.

 

I was motivated to research this a bit more and the water resistance/depth ratings are a bit "optimistic".

The issue is that the depth ratings are static depth tests and at stabilized or ramped temperatures. Actual real world use involves dynamic stresses and sharper temperature differentials.

Here is the ISO 2281 water resistance test procedure for watches:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f135/text-iso-2281-standards-water-resistant-watches-265634.html

http://www.avionica-watches.com/ISO%202281.pdf

Here is a summary of how one manufacturer views water resistance ratings:

http://www.bluedial.com/bd-wr.htm

Note: "Water resistant to 30 meters (100 feet)" should only be considered good for getting rain on it!

A watch should be tested under ISO 6245 to be rated and marked as a "Diver" watch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_watch

 

I agree, destroyed a TAG by going white water rafting with it years ago.

 

I've worn a 1962 GMT Master for the past 31 years except for maybe 30 days. Serviced it three times. Sauna, hot tub (100s of times), roll in snow and jump in hot tub, etc. Keeps time within specs and have never had an issue. Great watches but everyone has one these days.