Officine Panerai

Panerai is releasing a 100-piece limited edition sold exclusively online at its website - the 44mm PAM731 Luminor Submersible . 44mm automatic Luminor Submersible polished stainless steel case with brushed bezel. Water resistant to 300m with a dark navy b...  

Nice watch but I won't get it. With regard to the middleman, how do you deliver the luxury experience without a brick and mortar store? Do not see how you can buy a luxury watch online and feel the experience you get from current brick and mortar. Perhaps... 

.....and one that they may live to regret. By going down this path, you are almost sending a message that "luxury" service is not part of the plan.

watches are tool watches. Not luxury ones. Back to their DNA. This one, to catch newbies, and they have to lower much more their e-price ;-)) Smaller box is a good point in term of volume storage and expedition fees. My 2 cents, Cheers, Patrickh

I'm not sure to what extent that 'luxury experience' really exists. It's something mentioned time and time again but I don't ever recall any experience in a watch boutique or AD that would ever have any influence on my purchase. My point being maybe Riche... 

These days, e-commerce is as much part as the distribution network as authorised agents, wholly owned boutiques and franchised ones. Personally I believe that you must be present on the 3 different scenarios just to keep up with your customer's trend. The... 

This thing called the "internet" has been around since 1993 and "e-commerce" followed soon after. Heck, I just checked my account and I've been an Amazon customer since 1999. This watch forum and others, and all the other watch blogs are online. Who still... 

Same maison, very...VERY...V E R Y..different demographic targets

The human feeling is important in the luxury world. Panerai, and all watch brands, should definitely take care of that. Best, Nicolas

times change, my friend. For the new. forward-looking-live-in-the-present-time clientele, the boutique "touch", is completely anachronistic. As Reintitan wrote, nowadays all sorts of luxury items are easily available "on line".

Had to call their USA office as noted to do so. Lovely salesperson who took my order and was able to answer all questions. She indicated they were close to all being sold today. Delivery middle of July....not bad. Dave

And a 30 day return policy? You can't go wrong. As I posted above, the watch itself looks very attractive. Maybe only better in titanium, but a steel PAM at 44mm is never wrong. About buying without seeing, I have bought most of my watches like that, so r... 

I would definitely wear it. As for the sales practice, not sure I like that end of it.

In all businesses. However, for the high end of the market in any business I don't see online purchases thriving unless it's a commodity. A small percentage of sales agreed. First, people believe and trust in people. Secondly, the high end market doesn't ... 

I asked Panerai questions around some of these concerns when I ordered this piece since sight unseen. They have a 30 day return policy on the online order and of course the same warranty and service period/outlets. The order confirmation repeated this in ... 

when it arrives and how you enjoy the watch. I suppose service variation, if any, will be learned over time. This was probably a smart watch and price point for Panerai to test the water. Kindest regards,

... i would never buy a watch without seeing it 'live' and actually waering it to feel, see, experience before buying it. The trend is indeed inevitable but for some things ... brick n mortar works. I can't imagine the process or issues if the watch gets ... 

Nice post I bought one yesterday Over the one as I don't live in the US and this is a US addition only. I arranged to pick it up at the boutique in NY so will have the salon experience also. Iqbal

A lot of the commenters in this thread seem to be treating this like a foray into purely online sales. I don't see that at all. This is just another sales channel for watch companies, one that offers solid benefits for the sellers, if not the buyers. If d... 

Or at least I have ordered the piece hoping this is the case. The phone ordering process was easy, polite and informed. I asked quite a few questions which gave me piece of mind. The Panerai network of AD's and Boutiques is still as accessible for service... 

I can understand how dealers would be concerned, though I view the offer as akin to a boutique-only LE, which have become increasingly common in recent years. But yet another sales channel that circumvents the non-boutique AD channels would concern me if ...