Kevin O’Dell is not only a dedicated Paneristi but also a passionate fan of the Panerai brand, expressing his enthusiasm through his posts on www.paneristi.com. You can find the details of our enjoyable conversation with him in our latest article.
SO:Kevin, first of all, welcome to Horobox! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us.
KD: My pleasure, Serdar. I’m really happy to be here. I truly appreciate you thinking of me—plus, I love talking about watches, so I should actually be the one thanking you!
SO: You’ve been an active member of the watch community for a long time, especially known for your posts on www.paneristi.com. How did your interest in watches start? What factors turned this hobby into a true passion for you?
KD: My dad was a jeweler, and after the video production company I worked for shut down, I started spending more time at his shop. He had a local pawnshop where he handled repairs—it was about a mile from my house, and I wasn’t a stranger to the place since I had actually bought my first video camera there.
It turned out to be a good change for me. At that point, the only things I really enjoyed were skateboarding and filming, but doing videography for weddings and events was making me lose my passion for it. Anyway, I gradually started learning about watches—how to spot fakes, getting hands-on experience with brands like Rolex, Omega, and Breitling...
At first, I thought luxury watches were just flashy status symbols for rich people… hahaha. Coming from a working-class family, that was my natural reaction. But over time, I began to appreciate the craftsmanship, artistry, and history behind high-end watches, and my perspective completely changed. It was a bit of an internal struggle for me, though. I grew up in a family where money was tight, and I started working at 15, so the idea of owning a luxury object felt strange. Plus, I was a skateboarder and a punk rock fan who wore the same t-shirt and Vans every day—I didn’t think a fancy watch fit my style. But eventually, I gave in and bought an Omega Seamaster from the pawnshop. I think I paid around $800 for it.
As for the passion part—well, I’ve always been obsessive about the things I love. Whether it was skateboarding, sneakers, music, or my wife Danielle, I’ve always been all in. If I’m being completely honest, I’m probably obsessive-compulsive… hahaha. But I prefer to call it passion. The more I learned about watches, the more I got into them. And at some point, I discovered Panerai.
SO: What was your first significant watch? How did you get it?
KD: It’s funny, but I honestly don’t know how to answer that. My first real watch was the Omega I mentioned, but if we’re talking about the first important watch, then I’d say my Panerai PAM111, which I bought in 2006. That watch was special for many reasons. First of all, it introduced me to Panerai and the passionate community surrounding the brand. It was also the first watch I ever bought brand new. At the time, $4,000 was a huge amount of money for me—I was 22 and engaged, trying to save for an engagement ring, a honeymoon, and the deposit on our first home.
To me, the PAM111 was the most beautiful Panerai ever made. Over the years, my knowledge of the brand has grown a lot, but that watch still holds a special place in my heart. From the moment I saw Panerai, I was hooked. The bold, iconic design, the simplicity of the dial, and the history behind its tool watch DNA all fascinated me. I also loved that it wasn’t a widely recognized brand—it felt like a hidden gem. It wasn’t flashy, and it fit my style perfectly. Looking back, I’d say the PAM111 was the watch that turned me into a collector. Before that, I always just had one watch at a time.
Even now, that watch is still special to me. In fact, all the old Panerai models with ETA movements hold a certain charm because they truly represented the spirit of the brand. It’s a bit sad to see Panerai moving away from that, but hey, that’s a whole other discussion... hahaha.
SO: How did you first discover Panerai?
KD: The first Panerai I ever saw was the PAM127 on Orlando Bloom’s wrist in Elizabethtown. And yes, it was on the infamous Bordeaux leather strap that a lot of Paneristi seem to hate... hahaha. I watched the movie with Danielle, and honestly, the movie was terrible—but I couldn’t stop thinking about that watch. I had no idea what it was, where to buy it, or how much it cost. Luckily, the owner of the shop I worked at was a watch enthusiast, so he told me what it was. I immediately started researching and found a dealer not too far from me. I went there, checked out the models, and they gave me a catalog along with a book called Panerai Historia: From the Depths of the Sea. I took both home and read them cover to cover multiple times. Eventually, I decided on the PAM111. The funny thing is, the dealer only had 5 or 6 Panerai models in stock, and the 111 wasn’t one of them. I almost bought a PAM005 instead, but the salesperson told me I should wait for the model I really wanted. So I put down a deposit and waited. About a month later, I finally got my PAM111.
Here’s a cool story—back in early 2015, I had the chance to meet Rafael Alvarez, the former president of Panerai North America. When I told him how I bought my first Panerai, he got up from the table and came back with a photo of Orlando Bloom on the Elizabethtown movie set. He handed it to me and said, "This is for you. I want you to have it." That was a really touching moment for me. Even though I’ve had disagreements with Panerai executives over the years, that gesture meant a lot.
SO: We know that you have an impressive Panerai collection, which includes many special and limited models. However, we haven’t seen you wearing Panerai much lately. What’s the reason for that?
KD: My friend, that’s quite a loaded question, and it’s impossible to answer with just one reason. I’ve gone through a period that I would call a real turning point in my life. About three years ago, I started a diet, and as a result, I lost a significant amount of weight. I had been overweight my entire life, but it had recently started to spiral out of control, and I was feeling really bad about myself. Just like with all my other obsessions, eating clean and healthy became a fixation for me. To sum it up, I lost nearly 50 kg in 10 months, and my wrist size decreased by 2.5 cm. My 47mm Panerais started looking really bad on my wrist, so I stopped wearing them. A Paneristi friend of mine sold me a Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513, which I thought looked great on my wrist and suited me well. The 5513, much like the base model Panerais, had an exceptionally balanced design. I was drawn to its large tritium indices and its dial with minimal writing. Eventually, I found myself wearing only that watch and ended up selling all my 47mm Panerais. Then, my beloved daughter Madeleine Rose was born, and for the first time, I felt like a real adult. Panerai and the Paneristi community had been a huge part of not just my life but also my wife Danielle’s for the past 8–9 years. Honestly, while it started off as a bit of a sad transition, I found myself in an exciting new phase. I began exploring and understanding other brands, and I realized that vintage watches suited me better. I even connected with other Paneristi who felt the same way, and together, we formed a small group. As a result, my Panerai collection gradually started to shrink.
SO: If Panerai were to design a watch specifically for you, how would you describe your ideal Panerai?
KD: I actually have a lot of thoughts on what kind of models Panerai should produce and which ones they should stop making… hahaha. To be honest, I’ve put a lot of thought into this over the years, and I have a clear idea of what my ideal Panerai would be. However, I’d rather not share it. I have a bit of a superstitious side, and I feel like if I talk about it, I might jinx the chance of it ever being produced. So, I’ll keep that to myself… hahaha.
SO: How’s your watch hobby going these days? What kind of watches are you collecting or wearing?
KD: Watches are still one of the most important aspects of my life. I’m 32 now, my daughter is 2, and my life has become overwhelmingly busy. Outside of family life, watches are the hobby I spend the most time on. Skateboarding is still part of my life too, and I enjoy riding from time to time. I have a group of friends who skateboard, and I love hanging out with them. It gives me a sense of connection that I don’t find anywhere else. It’s a special hobby for me, and I think it always will be. Unfortunately, once family life comes into play, it becomes harder to dedicate as much time to hobbies. Leaving home to skateboard makes me feel bad because I miss my wife and daughter. On the other hand, when my friends send messages and photos of their skating sessions, I feel a sense of missing out. Finding a balance between the two is really tough because life demands so much from you.
Watches, however, are different. You can engage with your watch collection while spending time with your family. You can interact with other collectors, research watches, and even buy new ones—all without leaving home! In fact, I’m doing this interview while my daughter is napping.
As for my collection, I focus on important, rare pieces—especially ones that I feel don’t get the recognition they deserve. It’s also very important to me that I only collect watches I take pride in wearing. I try not to limit my collection to just one brand; instead, I keep it as diverse as possible. I’m interested in a wide range of watches, from Omega to JLC, Eberhard to Universal, and across different price segments.
SO: What’s the watch you wear the most?
That’s an easy one—Universal Genève Tri-Compax. I absolutely love this watch, and since I got it last December, it has been my most-worn piece. I actually acquired it through a great deal, and I liked it so much that I started searching for mint-condition, box-and-paper examples. Of course, finding such examples is incredibly difficult since these watches were made in the 1960s, so coming across a complete set isn’t easy. However, thanks to a fellow Paneristi, I was able to track one down in the UK and add it to my collection.
What makes this watch so special to me is its unique design. Even though it’s a sports watch, it features not only a chronograph function but also a moon phase and day/month indicators.
SO: If you had an unlimited budget, which watch would you choose for daily wear?
KD: Another easy question—Patek Philippe 570 or 530 (both time-only Calatrava models). These two references are quite similar, and they come in multiple versions. In my opinion, the one with Breguet numerals is the most beautiful watch in the world. Choosing between a black-dial 530 and a grey-dial 570 would be really tough, as both are incredible. However, I think I’d lean slightly toward the grey-dial 570 because I prefer its smooth bezel design.
SO: What does your wife think about your passion for watches? Can she identify models and their features just by looking at them?
KD: Hmm… at first, she hated it. Then, she got curious, but over time, that curiosity faded. She does recognize a few Panerai models, but it was never really a passion for her. She enjoyed sharing the experience with me—traveling, attending gatherings, meeting new people—but once Maddie was born, all of that came to a halt. My wife and I have been together for a long time, and she has always supported me in the things I’m passionate about. Honestly, I sometimes wonder how she puts up with me! But at the end of the day, we’re soulmates.
SO: If you had the opportunity to work professionally in the watch industry, which role would you take?
KD: If we set Panerai aside, I think the only thing I could realistically do for most brands would be sales—and that’s not something I’d want to do. Working at Panerai would have been amazing, but only if I could be involved in design, R&D, or planning. There was a time when I genuinely believed I could contribute something valuable to Panerai, but that dream is now in the past. Maybe working in an auction house would be interesting. Or I could see myself working with a friend in the industry, handling rare and important watches. I actually have a friend who does this, and it seems like an incredible job.
SO: What are your thoughts on Horobox?
KD: I don’t have any strong opinions, to be honest. Keep up the good work, stay true to yourselves, and continue sharing your passion. By the way, your Instagram page is great. You really keep the Paneristi spirit alive there. Your posts remind me of Panerai’s golden era, back when hardly anyone knew about the brand. Another Paneristi once referred to 2002–2008 as the "golden era," and I think that’s a pretty accurate description. Instagram is a fantastic platform because it allows you to engage with watches without getting too involved. It also works well for communication. Personally, especially after my daughter was born, I’ve found it to be a really convenient way to stay connected to the watch world.
SO: Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us.
KD: My pleasure!
