Firenze!

[Pattyb69]

I achieved one of my WIS goals last week and made it to the Panerai boutique in Florence! The spacious newly designed boutique is beautiful and smells of rich mahogany and leather bound books (Anchorman). It's about 4 times larger than any other Panerai boutique I have been to before and once they finish restoration and knock down the the wall to merge it with the original shop its going to be even larger. I tried to take pics of the inside but the sales rep told me that they wouldn't allow it yet because its only been open for 2 months and they havent even updated the Panerai website to showcase the new boutique.

What I learned from this visit:
1. You can save a lot of money over US retail in Europe. I was quoted $11,850 for a PAM 233 after VAT refund. Thats $4050 less than US retail.

2. PAM 233 wont have a domed crystal next year.

3. I went in to try the 312, 233, 510, and 305 but came out LOVING the PAM 422. That thing is gorgeous in person but Im slightly unsure about its size. Hopefully they come out with something similar in 44mm next year. The price was about $2050 under US retail.

As much as I wanted to pick up the PAM 422, I have a wedding to save up for and I was nervous about lugging around an uninsured piece for another week in Italy. I even turned down a GMT II BLNR at the Rolex boutique for $7400.

My Fiance and I are talking about possibly doing Italy again for our honeymoon next year and this time I wont miss another opportunity.

[sugiharto]

What do you mean it won't have a bubble crystal?

[brandrea]

I LOVE Floerence, such a beautiful city, rich in history and the arts. I've been many times, but never thought to seeks out the Panerai boutique .. Next time for sure

[xbox]

Your wearing that bracelet pretty loose.... gonna have to strap down the Panerai a little tighter

Italy is one of the cheapest markets for Rolex in Europe.

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by sugiharto

What do you mean it won't have a bubble crystal?

I meant domed crystal. The rep told me that the next production series won't be domed

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by xbox

Your wearing that bracelet pretty loose.... gonna have to strap down the Panerai a little tighter

Italy is one of the cheapest markets for Rolex in Europe.

It was 80-85 degrees and really humid the whole trip. Glidelock came in handy

[xbox]

Originally Posted by Pattyb69

It was 80-85 degrees and really humid the whole trip. Glidelock came in handy

Indeed and only trumped by the awesome DSSD mechanism

BTW, did you see any D-Blues?

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by xbox

Indeed and only trumped by the awesome DSSD mechanism

BTW, did you see any D-Blues?

Nope. It sold about 3 weeks before I was there and they haven't gotten another back in stock

[Cru Jones]

no dome?? i find that hard to believe....it's a real distinctive trait of the 233....

anyway, thanks for the report and pic. glad to see they're finally almost there with the store.

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

no dome?? i find that hard to believe....it's a real distinctive trait of the 233....

anyway, thanks for the report and pic. glad to see they're finally almost there with the store.

I was surprised to hear that as well. I am not sure why they would do that but I guess we will find out next year

[kilyung]

233 without a dome is like PBJ with the PB!

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by kilyung

233 without a dome is like PBJ with the PB!

Listen to this man, he understands!!!

[Pattyb69]

Maybe the price of your 233's will go up since the domed will be sought after. Just like the coveted "dot" dial.

[kb24]

im excited to see the 233 without the dome crystal.. that should look even better

[ocwatching]

that BLNR at $7400 is pretty tempting..
glad you enjoyed your trip...

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by kb24

im excited to see the 233 without the dome crystal.. that should look even better

[Hairdude1]

Very cool

[franzy]

Great post and great looking sub you have!! I also wear my Rolex (GMTIIc) somewhat loose as well. Not as loose as you, but I find that it doesn't pinch my hairs when it's loose.

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by franzy

Great post and great looking sub you have!! I also wear my Rolex (GMTIIc) somewhat loose as well. Not as loose as you, but I find that it doesn't pinch my hairs when it's loose.

I don't typically wear it that loose. It was just so damn hot and humid in Rome and Florence that I needed to loosen it up because it was sticking to my skin. Glidelock is set much tighter now that I'm back in Connecticut.

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by Pattyb69

I achieved one of my WIS goals last week and made it to the Panerai boutique in Florence! The spacious newly designed boutique is beautiful and smells of rich mahogany and leather bound books (Anchorman). It's about 4 times larger than any other Panerai boutique I have been to before and once they finish restoration and knock down the the wall to merge it with the original shop its going to be even larger. I tried to take pics of the inside but the sales rep told me that they wouldn't allow it yet because its only been open for 2 months and they havent even updated the Panerai website to showcase the new boutique.

What I learned from this visit:
1. You can save a lot of money over US retail in Europe. I was quoted $11,850 for a PAM 233 after VAT refund. Thats $4050 less than US retail.

2. PAM 233 wont have a domed crystal next year.

3. I went in to try the 312, 233, 510, and 305 but came out LOVING the PAM 422. That thing is gorgeous in person but Im slightly unsure about its size. Hopefully they come out with something similar in 44mm next year. The price was about $2050 under US retail.

As much as I wanted to pick up the PAM 422, I have a wedding to save up for and I was nervous about lugging around an uninsured piece for another week in Italy. I even turned down a GMT II BLNR at the Rolex boutique for $7400.

My Fiance and I are talking about possibly doing Italy again for our honeymoon next year and this time I wont miss another opportunity.

Vos you're referring to the discount on the price list with official dealers. And Panerai watches are available in USA with best price to those in Italy.

[Pattyb69]

I'm not sure what you are saying. I just compared prices on retail vs retail if someone not living in the EU were to make the purchase. Non-EU citizens get to save on VAT just like when Americans travel to the Caribbean to buy watches because they are tax and duty free. Either way, I found Panerai and Rolex watches to be cheaper at AD's in Italy vs US AD's. Some models were even cheaper than gray market dealers.

[gyrfalcon01]

I lived there for a few years, and loved every moment. I meant to introduce myself first before jumping in on the thread, but I couldn't resist the mention of Firenze, so please excuse me. I've been a long time lurker on the forum, but had been collecting panerai since 2004. I've since begun enjoying an interest in vintage Rolex, but still love the brand. I've also really enjoyed reading the forum over the past couple of years.

Regarding the comparison of prices here and abroad, I've found very good deals can be had in Italy. For example, in 2010 I purchased a new 16610from an ad and paid the equivalent of 5,000 usd even before the vat refund. I believe they retailed somewhere between 6k and 6.5k usd at the time. I also purchased a 000 from the boutique in Firenze a year later for the equivalent of around 4,000 usd after the vat refund. I think both deals were at least competitive with what would have been offered to me in the US at the time, but the experience of purchasing the zero in the Firenze boutique was something special. I really wish I had kept that watch.

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by gyrfalcon01

I lived there for a few years, and loved every moment. I meant to introduce myself first before jumping in on the thread, but I couldn't resist the mention of Firenze, so please excuse me. I've been a long time lurker on the forum, but had been collecting panerai since 2004. I've since begun enjoying an interest in vintage Rolex, but still love the brand. I've also really enjoyed reading the forum over the past couple of years.

Regarding the comparison of prices here and abroad, I've found very good deals can be had in Italy. For example, in 2010 I purchased a new 16610from an ad and paid the equivalent of 5,000 usd even before the vat refund. I believe they retailed somewhere between 6k and 6.5k usd at the time. I also purchased a 000 from the boutique in Firenze a year later for the equivalent of around 4,000 usd after the vat refund. I think both deals were at least competitive with what would have been offered to me in the US at the time, but the experience of purchasing the zero in the Firenze boutique was something special. I really wish I had kept that watch.

Florence was a beautiful city. Im jealous that you were able to live there for a few years.

I had a great experience at the Florence boutique. It was so good that I went back a second time during my 3 day stay. The sales reps were knowledgable and very friendly. I hope to be able to make it back there and purchase a Panerai sometime in the future