Officine Panerai

Aless156
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I can understand your frustration

and disappointment, however, for good or bad Panerai is so popular that I'm sure they feel they can pretty much do what they like. Therefore, if they want to increase production of the 339 by 50% then they will. Similarly, if the want to delay release or change the 317, then they will. And I imagine they expect their buyer to understand or accept the situation.

I own several Panerais and think the historic range are very well designed watches. For me what makes them so appealing is the simplicity of the design. However, I increasingly think that the success of the brand may in the long term be unhealthy for it. People often refer to the 'passion' of the brand and say 'it is more than just a watch'. I have to admit I don't really understand this philosophy.

To me no matter how much I like it, it is 'just a watch'. I Also think that perhaps sometimes the strong desire for a limited model, for example the 339, is labelled as passion. Everybody knows that most Panerai models are difficult to come by, which just makes you want one even more. When you add the historically low name recognition of Panerai in the general public and you can see why those in the know about the brand refer to 'passion'. Personally, I doubt if Panerai collectors/enthusiasts are any more passionate than vintage Rolex collectors or Patek Philipe collector etc. Can you imagine the 'passion' Rolex would have if they released a LE 5514,5517 or PN Daytona?

The reason I think Panerais success may be a long term problem, is that it collectors seem to me to be often less willing to accept any criticism of the brand or the brands CEO. For example, I was shocked when a moderator and collector on another forum replied to a legitimate complaint from a poster about his poor servicing experience with Panerai USA, by saying quite abruptly, 'I have warned everybody that they should not send their watches to Panerai USA, they should be sent to Panaerai Canda so stop complaining' (paraphrase). It was as if it was the poster fault rather than Panerais?

It seems to me that this level of brand loyalty/ passion whatever you want to call it, in fact does the brand no favours in the long run. There comes a point when potential buyers start to think I like the watch, but I am not going to bother buying one because I can't be bothered to put up with the endless waiting/ or poor service/ or change of design etc.