Panerai trouble

[911wise]

Hi all
I purchased a Panerai Luminor 1950 nearly two years ago. The watch has hardly been used on in the main because I quickly found out how easily it scratched and picked up marks. I made a small dent in case catching it on side of plug socket while removing a plug from wall!

Anyway I wore the watch on a recent holiday came back put watch in safe, decided to wear it month later, and on winding could not get the hands to align properly. I tool it back to Watches of Switzerland who sent it to Panerai to be repaired as it was still under warranty.

Today I have received a bill for £600 to have the watch fixed they have pointed to marks in the case saying it has been subjected to several shocks (dropped).

I have been on the phone to watches of Switzerland today bounced around all departments and frankly they don’t want to know.

I’m aware that it’s my word against there’s but the watch has barley seen the light of day. Surely should be up to taking the odd knock through normal wear?

My Rolex submariner is 15 yearsold and I’ve worn it virtually everyday through all sorts and there’s hardly a mark on it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here? I’m looking at contacting trading standards etc. Or is life too short for this? Should I just get it repaired sell it put it down to bad experience and move on?
Any pointers of help would be great fully received

Thanks

Simon

[Bobajobbob]

Hmm this obviously sucks but what do you mean by the ‘hands won’t align properly ‘?

[911wise]

Sorry about image. I’m sure you can see what I mean though now!

[Chessers]

Ouch.

You can see why they may feel it has been dropped but as you haven't dropped it, I expect you're pretty annoyed.

Maybe try Joe (Variomatic) on here or even Ecain63? I'm sure Joe will be able to sort it at a better price but not sure what his waiting times are at present.

The pearl fell off my Sub at the weekend, so I share your pain, although hopefully mine is a much cheaper fix!

Good luck.

[Bobajobbob]

It's hard to see clearly from the image. Has the minute hand shifted on the central hub so it is no longer centred? I need to take a look at my Panerai closely because you wouldn't think that would actually be possible. I'd always assumed that the hand would be mounted with such precision that central hub and hole in the hand were identical in size. Weird and I can understand why they suspect a knock though the only other alternative is that the hand was not mounted properly in the first place in which case it will probably still be loose. The advice above is good but you have to weigh up whether you want to make a bigger deal of it with the dealer/Panerai themselves. Flaws in the manufacturing process do happen, I guess it just depends on whether they care about your future business.

[911wise]

I think it’s pretty clear from conversations with Watches of Switzerland they don’t care much about future business etc.

I think a repair at a independent jeweller then move it on is best bet. Shame it’s a lovely looking watch, just fragile.

[anonymous-user]

I’ve been contemplating a Luninor Carbotech so this is a little concerning.

Is this an unlucky one-off?

[anonymous-user]

Bobajobbob said:

It's hard to see clearly from the image. Has the minute hand shifted on the central hub so it is no longer centred? I need to take a look at my Panerai closely because you wouldn't think that would actually be possible. I'd always assumed that the hand would be mounted with such precision that central hub and hole in the hand were identical in size. Weird and I can understand why they suspect a knock though the only other alternative is that the hand was not mounted properly in the first place in which case it will probably still be loose. The advice above is good but you have to weigh up whether you want to make a bigger deal of it with the dealer/Panerai themselves. Flaws in the manufacturing process do happen, I guess it just depends on whether they care about your future business.

The minute hand shouldn’t be able to shift on the hub (pinion) but the pinion itself is usually a friction fit so it can move relative to the shaft it sits on if it isn’t tight enough.

[911wise]

garyhun said:

I’ve been contemplating a Luninor Carbotech so this is a little concerning.

Is this an unlucky one-off?

The watch is a lovely looking watch and it kept great time. I don’t believe the steel used to make the case to be as hard wearing or durable of that used by Rolex or omega.

Panerai and Watches of Switzerland attitude in all of this has been less than great. Panerai especially.

[ChrisPackit]

Thats a shame to here about that. I wear a Panerai more often than most of my others and can report that I've never had any issues in 2 years of ownership, and an occasional polish at home brings it up looking like new. I can also vouch for Joe at Anglesey though, so he might be worth a go...

[LordGrover]

Not sure how, but if it's in warranty I'd be making every effort to get it repaired FOC.
Unless they can prove it's been subjected to abuse they have no case. You can't be expected to prove a negative.

Anyway, it's supposed to be shock proof isn't it? P.3000 is incabloc, no?

[911wise]

ChrisPackit said:

Thats a shame to here about that. I wear a Panerai more often than most of my others and can report that I've never had any issues in 2 years of ownership, and an occasional polish at home brings it up looking like new. I can also vouch for Joe at Anglesey though, so he might be worth a go...

I’m more disappointed with Panerai stance. They have even cited the minuscule scratches on the mirror polished bezel as a sign of abuse!

[Jules360]

I had exactly the same experience a few years back with a Panerai. One of the luminous hour markers fell off, it was sent back to Panerai who said there was a dent on the case and the watch had been dropped. I asked them to send me a photograph of this (non existant) dent - they didn't and repaired the watch FOC under warranty.

[UnclePat]

Hang On said:

The minute hand shouldn’t be able to shift on the hub (pinion) but the pinion itself is usually a friction fit so it can move relative to the shaft it sits on if it isn’t tight enough.

That is a good shout.

As you’ve found out, the Richemont group often fails to cover itself in glory when it comes to aftercare service.

It could very well just be the quality of your picture, but there appears to be a slightly lighter area around the top of where the hour & minute hands attach in the centre – is that the central hole in the dial that can be seen? If so, and if the date display is also slightly askew, that can be a sign of impact damage, as the dial feet break or bend and the dial shifts a little off-centre. It might be that’s what’s causing Panerai to assert impact damage. But equally it might just be a reflection off the edge of the hand base, and therefore nothing at all.

If you get nowhere with Richemont’s claims of impact damage (they’ll need to evidence that through more than merely cosmetic marks, where is the internal evidence of damage from impact?) then it’s worth taking it to an independent for a second opinion before proceeding with their £600 repair quote. If it is a loose friction-fit cannon pinon, then it’s normally quite a simple fix to tighten it and re-align the hands. The problem though is getting an independent who's happy to just do a 'part fix' of that issue without a wider service - almost certainly that's what Panerai are quoting for, a full tear-down & service, even though it's less than two years old.

Edited by UnclePat on Tuesday 21st August 12:31

[Simond S]

I feel your pain. Sent a TAG off in May as it stopped working. Assumed battery as 3 years old.

Was told it needed new internals. Asked for engineers report and they refused. I then asked for it to be sent directly to TAG UK as local dealer had taken back off. They call and say it needs a new face.

Again no engineers report. I asked how we could damage the face with no external damage, and explained dealer had said it needs new internal mech.

Face FOC by Tag, old face returned and has a kink in it from where it was removed in the shop. Shop still refused to accept any responsibility.

Seems honesty has left the watch industry.

[911wise]

Basically a £6000 watch that does not stand up to been worn in normal circumstances for 20-30 days in nearly 2 years.

[lostkiwi]

I'd be interested to see better pictures of the watch and know what basis Panerai are claiming mishandling. We only have the OPs side of the story

[CardShark]

911wise said:

The watch is a lovely looking watch and it kept great time. I don’t believe the steel used to make the case to be as hard wearing or durable of that used by Rolex or omega.

You say that your Rolex is 15 years old, if so then I'm pretty sure that it'll be made of the same steel as your Panerai - 316L. Rolex changed to 904 steel at some point, though it depends on the model as to when.

Regardless, there's no difference in material hardness between one steel and the other. Rolex tend to be smaller than Panerais so there's less chance of them being knocked on the wrist, the fact that it's showing less wear than your Panerai won't be down to the steel.

I hope you resolve the issue with the handset, I can understand why you're frustrated with the situation.

Edited by CardShark on Tuesday 21st August 17:50

[911wise]

lostkiwi said:

I'd be interested to see better pictures of the watch and know what basis Panerai are claiming mishandling. We only have the OPs side of the story

You do only have my side. What would I have to gain by coming on here and lying?

I stand to gain nothing from this post other than to vent a bit of frustration.

[911wise]

CardShark said:

You say that your Rolex is 15 years old, if so then I'm pretty sure that it'll be made of the same steel as your Panerai - 316L. Rolex changed to 904 steel at some point, though it depends on the model as to when.

Regardless, there's no difference in material hardness between one steel and the other. Rolex tend to be smaller than Panerais so there's less chance of them being knocked on the wrist, the fact that it's showing less wear than your Panerai won't be down to the steel.

I hope you resolve the issue with the handset, I can understand why you're frustrated with the situation.

Edited by CardShark on Tuesday 21st August 17:50

The size does come in to play. Larger surface area , more exposed areas. When I get it back I will show pics of mark which I got from catching on plug socket. Maybe it is more pronounced because of it been on a large brushed uniform surface.

Same with the bezel because it’s mirror polished you notice the scratches/abrasions more. Maybe I should have worn it more, give it some patina then any mark would be less noticeable if that makes sense.