Did Panerai Jump the Shark?

Took this image from p.com as one of the 'rists there claimed that he took it from a Chinese watch magazine. To be released in the Chinese market as PAM 366 and order being taken at the Macau BT (1500 pieces?). Panerai has replaced the 6 with the Chinese character for good fortune. The lume is patinaed like the 339/341/360.

I was pretty excited about the possibility of getting my hands on a Boutique edition that Panerai has recently be rumored to be putting together (HK, Shanghai, etc) as I am Chinese-Taiwanese. I had ideas that it would be the Great Wall/Taipei 101 engraved on the case back, a la 318 and I was seeking ways to get on the list. Until I saw this.

I guess Panerai is going along the paths of AP/JLC with the Boutique Limited editions.

The incorporation of the Chinese on the historical dial (IMHO) is a bit tacky.

Thoughts?

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I think this Boutique edition is fine

By: AnthonyTsai : August 9th, 2010-12:53

It's targetted for the Chinese market, so I don't find it tacky that there's a chinese character at 6 o'clock. - AT

I agree.....

By: sirjo : August 9th, 2010-17:22

with you. It's different as a "marketing" tool should be, in order to attract local buyers and increase the product awareness. Sometimes, I believe, the diehard Paneristi forget that Panerai has as much need to sell their products as Procter&Gamles with t...

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