Girard-Perregaux
I have personally always been a huge fan of Girard-Perregaux’s line of Ferrari watches, here are some of my top picks below.
I think you almost can’t go wrong with this watch (left), it has a chronograph, brushed stainless steel case, a black carbon fiber face, and a juicy brown alligator strap. This would go with almost everything and I would wear it myself.
Secondly, there is the GP F1 Ferrari watch (right). It has a steel case that comes with a bracelet or band and a carbon fiber face. I love the red dials because it looks very much like the interior of a Ferrari. I would prefer it to have yellow dials though, because I want a yellow Ferrari, not red. That’s just me though 
.
These two, the F300 and the F430 watches are probably the most “me” because the F300 is something I would wear to work, I love the bracelet, and it has a low-key face, and is shiny all over. The F430 would for sure be my track watch because of the rubber bracelet, I would stress about scratching a bracelet, and the face is more exciting than the F300 but not as flamboyant as the F1 watch
Not so hot GP
Ok, I just had to comment on this “watch”…it is another one of the GP Ferrari watches, the F-2004 model. This is just…unacceptable, I mean really…I think I am going to have to include it in part 2 of my “What the Hell Were They Thinking-ugliest watches ever” post . This is just hideous and I don’t want to comment more on it…wow.
Does this watch insult you too?
Panerai
Then we have the newest Panerai Ferrari watches. I found a nice article about Panerai and Ferrari with lots of nice pictures, you can find it here. Here are my top picks for Panerai’s Ferrari watches:
I love this Panerai (left) the most! It is the Scuderia FER00019 model and I love it because of the yellow and black contrast on the face, and the strap. But most of all I love the strap! Detailed pictures can be found here. This is the one I would personally wear.
I am still not sure if I love Panerai’s version better than GP, not including the ugly one above, let’s just pretend that didn’t happen, everyone makes mistakes . There isn’t too much variety, and to be quite honest, I think most of the Panerai Ferrari watches are kinda boring and somewhat similar to each other, aside from these exciting two (the yellow face, and red face).
I guess Panerai was trying to be more elegant and less flamboyant with their Ferrari line. I just am a little disappointed the watches are more exciting looking, but maybe it is just me. Do you think they are boring?
Which do you like best: GP or Panerai’s take on the “Ferrari Watch” ???
So here’s my thing:
I like the GP’s more, but I think the Panerai’s have more of a “Ferrari aesthetic”.
Driving my M3, I’d get a GP. If I won the lottery and had a 599, Panerai all the way.
Sul,
I would def take a 599 and I would wear ANY watch while driving it. Because…. I would be going so fast in it…i would never have a chance to take my hands off the wheel long enough to look down at my watch…so you see it wouldn’t be an issue for me
.
Which GP would you wear in the M3? The GP F300 watch (shown above)? I think that would go with your grey car. I think the GP F300 + M3 would be niiiice!
The GP F300 was the one I was thinking about… Good call, Izabel!
Hi Sul
Can you write a review of the M3? I’ve been curious about them since they came out. Do you have the couple or sedan? I love the sedans. I love the 335 coupe and love the 135 as well
.
Take care
Nazmul.
I was planning on doing a m3 review, so no problem. I had a 335i coupe for a while so I can talk about that (esp in comparison to the both the current and last generation m3’s).
I drove a 135i for a day as part of the BMW breast cancer event this year and have to say it is a very nice car, but considering how small it is – it is very heavy and I personally didn’t like the handling (a first on a BMW for me). It seems both jittery and imprecise. The breaks are very good, though. For me, it lives as a car that you would buy, drive for a month and then start upgrading.
Compare to a 335i that I drove as a daily driver with a nearly 40 mile back and forth commute for 18 months. Larger in size, same engine, similar feeling weight, but much more comfortable and (to me anyway) it drives like a BMW should….
That’s all a tease for the reviews I’m posting next week…
Hi Sul,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts/impressions of the 335 and 135! I’m looking forward to the full reviews
.
135 with sport package
I logged some time behind the wheel of a 135 with sport package. It was a very fun car to drive. I thought that the steering was numb, when compared to a 997 or 996 (which is not a fair comparison, I admit). However, the car was very feisty when near it’s limits, which I think makes it a handful and boat loads of fun to drive
. However, at low speeds it was quite boring. I was surprised at how much interior room there was in that car! So much headroom and shoulder-room, and lots of legroom in the backseats! This is impressive for a such a small-looking car. I love the styling of the 135 as well. Very cute, but solid-looking! 
Split personality
The engine was great, and brakes were great; very predictable handling as well. When nearing the limit, with DSC and all the electronic nannies turned on, it’s still a handful, which for me is lots of fun. One can get into serious amounts of trouble with this car, if one is not careful near the limit. When nowhere near the limit, the car is quite tame/boring. The car provided better feedback through the seats than it did through the steering wheel. I love the short wheelbase of the car, makes it a tad crazy at the limit, which is fun again (for some).
Awesome suspension
I thought the suspension was a dream. It wasn’t harsh at all, but very taut, and quite comfortable. It transmitted all the salient information about the road surface minus any discomfort
. This car has my favorite BMW suspension 
. While I found the steering to be somewhat numb, I didn’t find it jittery/imprecise at all, on the contrary I thought it was quite solid and predictable. For me, the Mini Cooper JCW has to have the most jittery steering of all cars… it generates a lot of unnecessary sensations… lots of show, but not a lot of go 
.
Crazy fun
When I say ‘it’s fun to drive’, you have to take into account who’s saying it
. I’m a bit crazy when it comes to cars… I ordered my 996 without any electronic nannies, because I wanted to DRIVE it. Having said that, I did wreck it a couple of times, and have pretty much spun on every turn at VIR (and many other tracks) 
. I’ve also driven it around with snow tires in the snow for long periods of time… mostly going sideways 
. The 997S that I have now is quite tame when compared to the 996 I used to have… that’s the trend of modern cars though. However, the 997S and 997 GT3 are very serious cars, they don’t mess around! When driven at the limit, they are electrifying to drive… the new 997 chassis is such an improvement over the 996, it’s almost unfair to compare them 
. The 997S is a precision instrument of speed; it takes the minimalist approach in every sense to get you up to speed, no fuss, no muss. All “go”, and no “show” or “drama”.
Bloatware
All BMW’s in my opinion are heavy; their cars have been getting heavier and heavier, and the 135 and the 335 and the M3 are no exceptions. My 997S is very light (not Elise-light), when compared to modern sports cars. Of course, my dream garage has to have a GT3 and an F430
. But that’s another discussion for another post.
Happy holidays!
Nazmul.
Naz,
Yes the steering was kinda a letdown on the 135. I was surprised how dead it was in comparison to the abundant ass-feedback from the seat. I didnt go too fast in it when i drove it. My test drive was in traffic so I didnt get to experience much but I could imagine it would crazy fun to go fast in. I would love to take it to the track. I def wouldnt do any mods on it, I even liked the wheels. I dont usually like stock BMW wheels but the 135 had cute wheels so i would keep them. The exhaust was also nice too, you could really hear it but it wasnt deafening so you could drive to to work and the grocery store without every cop around staring at you
That is always a plus for me, cause i can be a Speedy Gonzales on my way to the grocery store. If I am going to have to get groceries it might as well be a fun trip 
Sul,
Quick question, did the 135 you drove have a sport package? And, did the 335 have a sport package? Because that makes a HUUUUGE difference. I have driven the 335 coupe with no sport package and well as one with a sport package and it is like a diff car. Also, if the car is automatic, it is totally different too. I mean like night and day…
So the 135 with stick and sport is the one i test drove. I also briefly test drove the 335 with stick and sport as well. I can give you my thoughts on these two cars, but i just wanted to make sure we are referring to the same cars
As for the 1 series, i am not sure what you mean by jittery and imprecise. I didnt really get that feeling at all. I thought it was quite tame at low speeds on public roads. The steering was very heavy and a little numb. And that wouldnt change at high speeds, it would actually make the car feel easier to drive at high speeds. Heavy steering + speed is very confidence inspiring and gives you that “the car is driving itself, point it and it goes” kinda feeling.
Also, about the suspension, it was amazing too. Very good feedback but comfy at the same time. It was as close to perfect as ive felt in a BMW.
The 335 i drove…WOW it was a beast!!! In the very best kinda way. 100% track animal, too much for daily driving. It would get old in traffic…really fast. The suspension was a bit firm, i mean it was soften than the 997 but i think it should be, it isnt supposed to be alike a Porsche. It is supposed to be a sane person’s car
. hehe
It was so sharp and fast. The throttle was so sensitive. GREAT ass and steering feedback and they were very even. I hate when i get tons of feedback thru the ass and none in my steering, or vice versa. It annoys me if they arent “even” amounts coming from both. The 335 did. I could tell it could go REALLY fast and you could really FEEL the 300 hp. With the automtic gearbox/non-sport setup it was as if the power was gone, you couldnt feel it at all, so it might as well not been there. But the stick/sport setup just wanted to go go go! It really egged me on and wanted to be driven fast. The engine sound was loud and exhilarating as well. I am not that huge of a BMW fan and this car was like no BMW ide driven before. It blew my mind. It was so visceral yet refined and smooth. The clutch was super easy but not useless like most of BMW clutches on the 325 etc. The 335 clutch was just right.
Well that isnt too good of a review but those are my high level thoughts about the cars. I still dont like the BMW engine note, never have…I know everyone is gonna be all over me for saying that
But im just being honest. Not sure why ive never been a BMW girl…maybe i just havent met the right car. 
I love the GP watches and I even like the one you think is not so hot..
Panerai should stick to their own watches. They are too ‘clunky’ to be a Ferrari watch. Although I love Panerai, I don’t see the connection really.
RJ
I like GPs and I like Panerai…but I agree i dont think the Panerai style “goes” with Ferrari style. Something is just a bit off for me.
Maybe a Chopard/Ferrari partnership. I can totally see it. Or even a Ferrari Rolex? What do you think? I know you love Rolex a lot, so which Rolex model would you pick to be the hypothetical Ferrari watch? I would pick Daytona
I love those 
Hi RJ,
I totally agree with your assessment. I love the new stuff Panerai is doing with Titatnium and blue faces. Drool
. Can’t wait to get one 
.
Take care,
Nazmul.
The GP watches are really nice and I can see why the “not so hot” one makes you ermm…..somewhat dissapointed
Personally I don’t fancy too many different colours on a watch either.
The Panerai are maybe not completely suitable for modern Ferrari match-up but I can see them go great with the more classic Ferrari models, they have more of a classic feel really.
Vincent
Yes that crazy colored one is a bit “much” for me. hehe.
Which old Ferrari model did you have in mind? I guess I would need to see the car and the Panerai side by side to tell. I cant really visualize it just now.
I just had a GP Scuderia Ferrari Foudroyante Chronograph in Platinum, #47/100 made on our website. I just took the pictures down. It is probably one on the best looking GP pour Ferrari watches made. Let me know if there is anyway I can post a pic.
I like the Panerai line but they are a bit big for my tastes. 42mm is about as big as I would wear. We sell a lot of the Panerai though.
Hi Paul
You can certainly post pictures. Here’s a link to the tutorial page – http://drivelikeagirl.com/?page_id=32#tutorial. Also, please check your email, your DLG account information has been emailed to you.
Looking forward to your pics!
You mentioned something about a website and watch store. Do you have a watch store that sells Panerai?
Take care
Nazmul