Panerai at the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance and Motor Car Classic

Apr 14, 2014,06:46 AM
 

I was fortunate yesterday to be able to represent PuristSPro at the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance, and to enjoy gracious hospitality as a guest of Panerai. It was a special day for me; I have lived in this area of Southern California most of my life, and knew many of the cars (and their owners) on exhibit, but had not been to an event with watches in the mix. It was a unique experience for Panerai as well, because they primarily sponsor events in yachting regattas, and had not been to an automotive concours.


It was a beautiful Spring day in La Jolla. That means a morning with no sun, low cloud cover, and moderate temperatures. Perfect for taking pictures of cars but not so good for the lady seeking to refine her tan.



The Panerai stand was over next to the water's edge. It's marked by the blue banners.  Behind the Panerai stand, across the cove, up on the cliff, you will find the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.

We had to "fight" our way through the obstacle course of beautiful automobiles, motorcycles, and airplanes.




Airplanes, you ask? Yes, the San Diego Aerospace Museum had arranged a number of fly-bys for us. Which happened to be right on the water's edge, above the Panerai stand. I think they had the best location on the field. The stand was beautiful - it was built for a presentation in New England not long ago, and shipped out here in a container. Some Italian craftsmen reassembled hundreds of fantastic "Toothpicks" of wood into this yacht-like retreat on the edge of the concours.

 

I took these photos at the beginning of the day. For most of the morning and all afternoon, the stand was swamped with guests, many experiencing Panerai for the first time. 




In addition to the nautical display in side, the crashing of the waves behind us, the historic La Valencia Hotel in front of us, there were the cars too.



The folks from the La Jolla Boutique and Panerai's head office were gracious and very helpful. Notice that the floor slopes upward and becomes the left wall. Could be tricky to navigate that in a high wind with snacks and drinks in hand ...




I looked at a few of the gold watches ... BEAUTIFUL! But not exactly MY style. 




I case-shopped for a few minutes.


Finally, I decided I'd like to wear the 47mm Regatta [aka Panerai PAM526 Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic]. 
The name is a bit long to quote to your pals, but the watch is very nice. This is my style. Titanium, functional, interesting count-down complication, light weight, intriguing look, etc.

 

Notice the nice furniture providing a backdrop for the watch (and matching my suit too). This is a demo watch, so please excuse a few bumps and scratches from previous exhibits. 

 

I asked to see the gold pocket watch in the case, but as it was coming out, a lovely lady slipped in front of me to take a close look. I forgot the watch and never saw it again. Sorry.

 

However, that gave me a new theme for my study of Panerai watches, and I walked around taking photos of women wearing Panerai. Interesting!




As always with Panerai, straps were a key part of the presentation.




An enigmatic look. Is she related to the Mona Lisa?




Stay tuned for Part 2 of the report...


This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-04-14 10:24:31 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2014-04-14 19:34:13


More posts: LuminorLuminor 1950PAM526

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Continuing on the Panerai / La Jolla Concours and Motor Car Classic

 
 By: cazalea : April 14th, 2014-07:00
Perhaps I could devote some space to the vehicles parked around on the lawns. How can I manage to convey the enormity of this show? Some Purists I know are interested in the beauty of the automobile. Raise your hand if that's your preference ... I took so...  

Conclusion of Panerai / La Jolla Concours and Motor Car Classic

 
 By: cazalea : April 14th, 2014-07:11
I should finish this off with a general view of a few cars that I liked. A gutsy Isotta Fraschini owned and driven by Bill Evans. A fantastic 1958 Cadillac Limousine; I think there were only 3-4 of these built A Brace of Bentleys Not just cars; there were...  

Remarkable report Mike

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : April 14th, 2014-11:50
We should send you to cover all concourses ;) Really enjoyed your engine photo series Amazing is how much plastic appeared on car engines in last few decades Thank you for lovely report Sincerely Damjan

Thanks

 
 By: cazalea : April 14th, 2014-12:13
If you want to send me back in the past, I have Auto Shows from London, Geneva, Los Angeles, SEMA in Las Vegas, etc going back about 20 years in my archives. I used to publish automotive books for a living. That meant Auto Shows. Mike

Excellent coverage

 
 By: Spellbound : April 14th, 2014-16:45
And excellent pictures too. Was Ralph Lauren and Jay Leno or any of their cars present this year? I have never been to a US car show but used to go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed every year back in the UK. Great coverage. Love the Pam girl ! Dean

Most of the cars were from Southern California; not like Goodwood

 
 By: cazalea : April 15th, 2014-09:04
None of the national heavy hitters came in for this. A few cars came down from Los Angeles. We have more than enough around this area to fill a field, as you can see. Now Goodwood - that IS a treat. Home of jaw-dropping displays and dodgy weather. I think...  

Excellent report Mike ...

 
 By: bimbeano : April 16th, 2014-09:02
.. makes me realize i haven't been to such an event since last summer ! Bim

wonderful report, thanks for sharing!

 
 By: nitediver : April 16th, 2014-04:22
what a pleasure to see all these beauties...the cars, I mean of course, and the watches. thanks Stefan

Fantastic

 
 By: bsbg : April 18th, 2014-06:36
Cars and watches, thank you for sharing.

Hello dear Cazalea! What a wonderful report! I enjoyed it so much...

 
 By: Subexplorer : April 22nd, 2014-08:31
... and it was "almost" like being there and viewing so many wonders! Thank you for so many great pictures, showing those awesome cars. Love it! Thank you for your time and effort! Very cordially, Abel

Excellent (here's an extra photo for you)

 
 By: cazalea : April 22nd, 2014-09:12
Thanks Abel. It was fun to put it together. I forgot to show this Corvair Monza Turbo Convertible (yes, I've owned several Corvairs) ...  

I love seeing ladies wearing a Panerai. That is really sensual.

 
 By: amanico : April 14th, 2014-22:54
Thanks a lot, Mike, the car lover in me loved your report a lot! Best, Nicolas

Fantastic report of a great day at with cars and PAMs..

 
 By: ocwatching : April 15th, 2014-08:25
thank you for the exhaustive coverage...

Thanks for the wonderful coverage report Mike!

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : April 15th, 2014-21:11
Looks like a great event for any car fan! The countdown timer on the PAM526 is pretty nifty :) Cheers, Anthony

Great coverage of the Panerai La Jolla event

 
 By: ED209 : April 16th, 2014-21:26
Thanks cazalea for these pics. Wish I could have made it down to La Jolla for this. Maybe next year. Regards, ED-209

Quite a variety of vehicles on display

 
 By: AndrewD : April 22nd, 2014-04:45
Thanks for the presentation, Mike. Felt like I could have been walking around with you. And the Panerai tent looked like a great place to relax and do some watch spotting. Andrew

More relaxing a place than this Roller

 
 By: cazalea : April 22nd, 2014-09:14
waiting for the battery to recharge outside the "fraternity house" Cheers ...