Officine Panerai

The Panerai 'composite' is a ceramic.

Just applied via a different process to the more usual TiN coatings. ANd I think that's what's at issue here. From what I see in that photo, it looks like a poor coating (process issue) rather than a material robustness concern. That is, the coating hasn't taken properly to the caseback, allowing corrosion of the Aluminium.

this info was released on the launch of the 339

 

as you all wel know OP never communicates via forums, so with the exeption that every 339 falls apart in a few days from now my feeling says we're not gonna hear

a lot of OP (like usual) and like i mentioned before just have a look at page 4 of your manual which declines about every responsability they could face, let's be honnest

you can all just 'hope' your (and mine) little treasure doesn't disintegrate laying in your safe cause that's probably for now the best place to keep it  

 

oh and by the way the discoloration happens with mine also, strangely it comes and goes, if i clean the back with pure water it becomes like greyish brown after a few days

of wear it has the same color again as the rest of the case, call it a "magic back" wonder what would happpen if i throw it in glass of beer, maybe it will disapear hahahaha

 

I have seen most of the posts in all of the watch forums about discoloration, I  would not be too worried SO FAR.  it seems that there are 5 registered cases online with discoloration and only one with chipping.  So...lets completely discount the odd chipping situation and look at the discoloration.  3 reported so far is not an issue since  more than 1250 have been distributed (am assuming the serials are not randomized).  Actually i dont think its an issue percentage wise even if there are up to 10 unreported cases of discoloration.  acceptable margin of error AS LONG AS PANERAI FIXES THEM.   0.8%  margin of error is less than what some car manufacturers go by, and there is a safety issue there.

But I don't think it is prevalent. But PAM need to improve their QC, there are just too many complains.

Best,

Horo

this info is for the AD's use, but it's safe to say to keep strong alcohol away from the case, IMO there is a difference between cleaning and having a drop on it that can be whiped off immediately,...

So no cologne or other alcohol-based things on the wrist?   Unacceptable for a high-end (or any) watch.    

so is it safe to say that the owner of the said watch with "pitting" and discoloration of the caseback has extremely high alchohol levels in blood?  or is sweat simply high in alchohol?  in which panerai would be a spring roll short of being  pu pu platter

Hi -

I am most certainly not happy about all this as an owner of the 339, but, my watch is awesome and I happen to love wearing it. 

With this said, and with these post on the various internet fora, I decided to take a close look at my 339's caseback. 

Yes, there are chalky swirls that are very faint on the caseback.  I recall that from the first time I wore the watch, when removed from my wrist there were streaks formed from the sweat.  I thought nothing of it - got my polishing cloth and the streakyness went away.  After a few months of wear, you can see how my watch looks below. 

The caseback has a bit of a lightish tinge to it.  The front and sides of the case are perfect like day 1. 

If there ever way a time when a sapphire caseback would be appropriate, this might be the case

I think that is a good solution - have a "recall" and give each 339 owner the option to either accept their "new" sapphire caseback or have Panerai replace the caseback BUT return the original caseback to the customer. 

Thoughts? 

Anyone else's 339 look like mine? 

I am though so tempted to dip the buckle into my single malt tonight and see what happens.  is the buckle ceramic?  I can always buy a new buckle, right - Should I do it? 

asg!

Thank you for posting your experience!

I assume from your post, the caseback color is now permanently lighter?

And I assume you live in a hot climate and this has been more of a daily piece?

This message has been edited by ocwatching on 2011-08-18 09:22:46

Not exactly - Well, if you consider this latest summer weather in Northern NJ/NYC a hot climate - then I guess the answer is yes.  Also, I wouldn't call this a daily wear piece either.  I've worn it once a week since I bought it - so maybe for 2-3 months, so 12 times total.  One was a sweaty outdoor concert I played - I was rocking out pretty hard and sweating like a pig. 

Here is a picture of my caseback again - I tried for the same general angle. 

I used an eyeglass cleaning cloth - as you can see, some of the spottyness is gone, but there is still a tinge of white coming through - it is really slight. 

However - as much as I'm not letting it bother me - the watch still to me is beautiful and arguably one of the best looking panerai's ever - I am a little bothered by this. 

I hope they do something -

Buckle is going into scotch tonight. 

We don't need to put our watches in alcohol but I am really looking forward to your result. As i said before, it wouldn't be strange if a watch comes in contact with alcohol. I mean, when you're in a crowded place, holding a drink in your left hand and somebody accidently bumps into you ... Sorry but alcohol is a product we handle to often, a watch should be resistant to it

Yes, finding a new buckle won't be the problem.

A saphire caseback like you proposed might be good, but who will guarantee that the problem will only stick the caseback, what if the case will be affected too within a few months or 2 years ?

BTW, in the last 5 days I saw 2 339 with a caseback which have a white shine, not the original brown anymore. And these 2 were not internet pictures but I had these 2 in my hands. I happen to know quite a few people who collect watches and 2 of them have a 339. So don't tell me this is an isolated case.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be afraid. If I would have a 339 I would keep it !!!!!! It is a wonderfull watch and one way or the other Panerai will bring a solution

The dye in the coating is coming off.

Seriously.

No real change to the ceramic surface.

I think its just the dye / coloring also.  The surface, at least on my watch, has no pitting, holes or other visible damage. 

I think its an issue - but maybe one where Panerai will refinish the case -

Or, it will age with some type of patina - whether its desireable patina or not, time will tell. 

sharing. Apperciate

Regards

John

after a few weeks of daily wear, i was surprised to see a whitish discoration on the case back.  it seems to go away temporarily when i wet it, but stays 'frosted" when dry.  the case is unaffected, only the back.  i love the watch, but it makes me nervous.  I thought this was an isolated case, but then stumbled on several threads on the internet.  Has panerai offered a solution or explanation?  have others sent their watches in?  the watch is a keeper, but i'm curious to know what others have done, if anything.

here is a shot of the case back that is a good representation of the whitish discoloration.  i've emailed panerai and the nyc boutique and am awaiting a reply.  i'll be in manhattan next month, and am wondering if there is any utility in bringing it to the boutique directly.  any advice?  thanks!

No message body

I've been wearing my 339 conservatively, mostly at work (i'm in healthcare).  definitely getting worse, and possibly starting to pit in places.  will take it in to NYC boutique this weekend.  will let everyone know what happens!  wish me luck.  disappointed, but hopeful for a favorable resolution.

I'm sure they'll take it in and tend to it. I just hope, for you, they just don't replace the case with another one that's going to fall apart also. I'm sure this material has them worried sick, by now, and the research continues in earnest behind the curtains. The delay (some say cancellation) of the PAM375 sure doesn't give 339's owners any...peace of mind. I'll keep mine, locked and prestine..
Keep us updated, if you will
Ciao - Sergio

Received an email from Lindsey at the boutique. Watch is off to Switzerland for 4 to 6 months. Ugh. Will keep everyone updated. There is clearly a problem. Will be interesting to learn how it is handeled. 

Imagine they would answer this when you have a problem with your car  

 

5 months for a new watch is unacceptable

i finally got the watch back after nearly 10 months.  it had to go to switzerland where a new caseback was machined and then to the US and finally home.  The caseback number is changed and documented on a official card, but the serial number remains the same.
i'm pleased with the outcome since the watch is basically new.  but i'm gunshy about wearing it routinely
i'll keep the watch as it is beautiful, but i don't know how often i'll wear it.

what do other forum members think?  have others who've experienced the caseback problem had theirs fixed?  if yes, is the new back free of reaction?
i wonder if this problem with discoloration was a batch problem?

anyway, i'm just happy to have it back.  it's ridiculous that i had to wait nearly a year, but overall i'm satisfied with the final outcome.

But you got your watch back which is good.  I wonder if Panerai added different compounds since the new composites dont seem to have any issues.

Hope it remains the same

and too bad that it took soo long to address..

However, I think Panerai has the caseback/composite issues addressed. 

Enjoy the 339, I love it.  No, I have never had any issues with mine. 

and I simpathize with you for the 10 months in the waiting. At the same time, though, being a new, revolutionary material some "problems" are pretty much par for the course. I've just wrote (in another forum) that since Panerai made 1500 pieces of this model, 1% of that is 15. If I were the Quality Controller of Panerai and someone told me that less than 1% of pieces of a "new-materialled-model" were defective and in need of repair, I'd be absolutely....elated Whichever way you find to enjoy your 339, by all means go ahead and do it..

And please do wear it and let us know if any other problems surface.  Thanks!

Problem is the flaking inside of the case that would damage the movement.   The case changing colors is not a vintage look. It looks cheap and trashy.. Hence why I sold mine! Panerai should recall all 339's and refund there clients.  Panerai had jumped in the watch world but is killing themselves with the quality mistakes and service they are offering.  I've had problems with a couple of my Panerai's.. The Service center is very unprofessional to work with.  If you email Panerai expect no answer!  Style and history is what fuels the price of Panerai. Quality and service they have no concept of.  I'm afraid all the negatives will catch up to Panerai eventually. Then when you see a gentleman wearing a Panerai you won't think wow.....  you will think what a waste of money.....  I've been supporting Panerai over a decade now.  I feel like I have been purchasing watches that are in the low end of the second division of watchmakers. 

whining reivew... I own a 339, which I don't use as a daily beater and it's in perfect condition. I inted to keep on using it....spearingly....as it's appropriate for a "special" model, not a 000/005/111/112 etc. I do agree that Panerai has "lost the plot" lately and I think it's mostly due to the overwhelming success they have achieved in...quantity....markets such as Asia and the USA. I'm sure they'll eventually come around and to do that, they'll need...LOYAL...customers that will keep supporting them. Off you go and buy youself a....Breguet, Patek or whatever you consider..top level of First Class...

Ciao - Sergio

 

Hey, Bruno -