Officine Panerai

Surely, Panerai can't charge me to fix something like this, right? ...  

...but maybe depending on how old it is?

Looks like a movement hold-down screw. There might be a small flat clamping plate floating around inside, too. Wishing you the best. -John

It was blocking the rotor, at first the plate was the only thing I saw, so I shook the rotor hard enough to disengage the plate, then realised there's also a screw ...  

It is an easy fix. However, Richemont might have a policy that requires a full service if they open a caseback. YMMV. Good luck! -John

Thanks for the tip. Tee drive train is still moving and it's still keeping good time so means no damage done so far, hopefully!

Agility game ... you have to put the screw back in its hole without opening and destroy the watch ... Italians are teasing ... ;-)

I have had the occasion to fix the same problem with Tudor, Seiko, etc. at least 4-5 times. So here’s my thought. Any watchmaker can fix it, and for less time, trouble and cost than mailing it away to the factory. Just stay cool, Don’t Wear It, and ask fo...  

I honestly wouldn't have thought it'd be a prevalent issue. That's interesting. Unfortunately I don't have a local watchmaker that I trust. However AFAIK in Hong Kong Panerai they do have a workshop to do basic maintenance, so I think time taken won't be ... 

I thought your profession is the automotive. And your hobby are watches and cars. So if i have an ishoe with a watch, i can ask you for advice. One thing. My Seamaster made in 2019 have a screw in crown. Diver. When i adjust the time, when i want to screw... 

I started with riding and working on bicycles at a store. I went on to fixing cars. My business was auto repair manuals. Twenty years ago I got into watch collecting. I took one to be fixed by a local watch shop. The watchmaker was an old bicycling buddy.... 

Interesting subject about the loose screw in the Panerai.

directly to the Ricemont service centre, they'll fix it F.O.C. They have a service centre in the Prince's bldg, shop G/30, Ground Floor

Ah that's one of the two BT's in Central, didn't know they have a service centre inside that BT as well. Thanks for the tip, I was just going to go IFC, now I'll just go to Prince's building instead then. Cheers!

given the "horological" importance of the Hong Kong market, Richemont has never opened an Official sercive centre there (as they did in Singapore, for instance). Corporate decisions and clients needs, not always merge Lollll

HK was just a gateway before to enter into the Mainland China market - back in its most popular days (around 2005-2010) models were consistently on waiting list due to demand from Mainland. It only eased after they opened a few BT's in there. Maybe that's... 

Not great to see.

the story ends, won't you please?

I dropped it off at IFC BT at the end as I was just there having dinner. Would probably take a couple of weeks to get the diagnostics - the staff kept trying to push for an overhaul/maintenance and I kept saying no because it still keeps good time, with t... 

if we don't "service", we cannot certify. Keep your foot down and remind them is just one of the efffing screws that decided to go...for a stroll...and all you need is to fix it again!!!

They also for some reason recommended me to get a new oscillating weight, nearly US$900 for both. The heck with that lol. So I replied politely in my e-mail, that again, the watch is keeping good time, please just put the screw back on for me. Let's see w... 

the watch capital of the world. In Nathan Rd, there are no less than 8 or 9 Panerai re-sale shops in some 3 city blocks. You can go to any of them and I'm sure they'll gladly help you. Only inside the Holiday Inn shopping mall (in the basement) there were... 

Would've been nice if they just did what I asked. I'll insist one more time, if they're reluctant then I'd have to go 3rd party, I guess...

But since they need to open the case, I have to pay US$180 to 're-do' the waterproofing... I'm still quite annoyed I need to pay for something that wasn't due to my negligence... but seems like it's something that can't be skipped if I want them to help f... 

would have to be re-done, even if you were to use an indipendent laboratory. It might cost less money (I'm sure) but using a non waterproof watch is a bit risky (even washing your hands)...You can always "bargain" with them. Tell them you're willing to pa... 

In principle they know I have no choice, it's "good" they attach a 2 year warranty to the water-proofing (only), but still leaves a bad taste in my mouth... if previous CS dude put the screw on properly I wouldn't have to go through this in the first plac... 

and I wouldn't give it to...them...at gun point. Since all my Panerais are not under warranty anymore, I've found a nice, competent watch shop that, in case of need, it's just perfect. It's not free of charge of course, he costs a fraction of what a Riche... 

I'm aware it's now a sensitive/ironic time to talk about Panerai's in-house movements - unfortunately in my case, their P2003 movement isn't a run-of-the-mill ETA that could be easily fixed by the indies. Just got to suck it up and hope for the best... ho... 

closure (as they would say in California), all is good

That is indeed a bit sad. Sorry things happened that should not have with the screw being loose. It also gives pause if someone is considering buying an out of warranty Panerai timepiece.

I wish they could have treated this case better but it is what it is. At the same time, I don't think it's a prevelant issue, seems to me to be just a luck thing. Let's hope my watch continues to work well after this fix.

Typically an independent watch maker charges maybe $50 max for a pressure test. But I suspect they put new seals/gaskets in the watch which would definitely add a bit.

I guess not too bad in scheme of things