Officine Panerai

Found this on Paneristi picture : credits to Mak " I recently got a bubbling effect below the words "composite" and a day or two later a whole top layer chunk fell off! Now I can see the material below (presumably aluminium?). Also if you look carefully a...  

It's really scary and made me really worried I love the 339, and I was still hoping to get one until I saw this picture OK, the discoloration, I can totally understand, but part of the coating came off... I think it will be a serious issue I really hope P... 

so Strange.! Sorry to see this happening to this kind of Material. which always makes me wonder why Panerai didn't do the 339 in Ceramic ?!

look at page 4 of the guarantee booklet. Maybe you will find something like this: Are strictly excluded from the international guarantee, in particular * Scrapes, scratches, oxidation and loss of color, finish or material. yep they got it all covered !!!

Ciao, I was one of the 1st in the world to take delivery of the 339, so i can safely say that iv had mine longer than most have had theirs, and knowing me and what i do with my Panerai watches, added to the fact that i live in hot humid Asia plus i also s... 

Jokes aside, Steven, mine has been a safe queen, since I bought it (I don't like the gitzmo much) and after these unsettling news, I've got even more reasons to wear other PAMs. I'm sure Panerai will find a way to fix this inconveniences...will they?.. Ch... 

Well, first in Japan for sure! Oh? Well thats a pity because you should wear it! A very versatile watch, at least for me! I don't know about Panerai fixing this, don't forget that my Mare had to go back TWICE for the same mistake! Ciao Stephen

Don't get me wrong, I still consider it a gorgeous piece but, on the wrist, I prefer a 1A, 26B, 36, 22B, 127 and on it goes... Cheers - Sergio

And me! Do enjoy your other beauties, especially that 127! Ciao Stephen

I have no doubt that Panerai would rectify this. Not sure whether this is an isolated case but I know of MANY happy 339 owners, myself included.

the bit that Steven posted here, is part of a bigger bit/thread, started by another owner with some serious discoloration problem.. Cheers - Sergio

Maybe in 10-20 years time, these discolouration would be much sought after Patina ( tropical ) like the vintage rolexes LOL.cheers,dreamer

one thing is discoloration. Another altogether are pieces dropping off from the watch.... I would rather stick to the original and much sought after T-dial patina, than a falling-to-pieces case...hahahahaha Let's see what happens and don't worry about bei... 

As much as I love Panerai, I think this is unacceptable If they bring us a new material they should haved tested it before. I hope they don't use their clients as guinea pigs ! Right from the start I read things like 'watch out with alcohol because It cou... 

I'm not sure it's right to 'assume' they're using their customers as guinea pigs. I know for fact that there are testing procedures in place. Having said that, the procedures might not be feasibly extensive enough to cover EVERY possibility. Granted thing... 

I'm another VERY happy 339 owner also...no issues for me!

That's the nature of the internet beast. When something goes wrong, its easy to get online and look/post the problems. That is true with EVERYTHING that goes wrong, TVs, phones, toilet, you name it. Just interesting to see how this develops. The 339 is on... 

It's been/being used by other manufacturers without any problems. Calling coated (anadized) aluminium COMPOSITE is new allright..... Guillermo

Again, this so called "new" COMPOSITE is nothing more then anodized aluminium (aluminium with a coating)....This proces isn't NEW or innovative..Really feel bad for the ones who are having this problem and I can only it will be solved. I for one do not fe... 

...from what I can glean from Panerai's releases, the coating process isn't the usual dip-in-electrolyte-tub-connected-to-a-battery style anodising. Instead of forming Aluminium Oxide, the process (google 'Microplasmic') uses masses of AC power to form a ... 

Any other composite owners here experience the same problem? - AT

know how the owner have wear his watch... i do not think it will end up all like this ,pitting...IMO

According to a post on another Panerai forum, if the anodised aluminium is not " sealed " properly, acids or other caustic agents can cause pitting. cheers,dreamer

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Hello, IMHO the fact that it was early in production had nothing really to do with it, however this watch was put through a very active life according to the post. It was exposed to single malt whiskey, and possibly other libations?? I don't think getting... 

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from the RM forum. richardmille.watchprosite.com I think the point is that anytime the envelope is pushed (as RM routinely does and Panerai did on the 339), its not unusual to have issues. Personally, I still have my doubts there's any real issue ... 

So it seems that the acidity of the skin can cause some serious problems. I know, right now it are exceptions and definitely the picture in my opening thread. Maybe the owner has a more than average acid skin or sweat. But what if within 3 years all these... 

Now you're making some future assumptions and based on these random predictions you're asking Panerai to stop using this material? We're not sure of the exact situation on this watch and whether it's truly related to the use of composite material. Until w... 

... watch manufacturer, should Panerai investigate this matter and find that there is a technical flaw in the design of the product that may or may not materialize for some watches, they will either extend warranty or adjust the manufacturing process, cre... 

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 robustne... 

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...  

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 chippin... 

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. What bothers me the most is that the Composites and not really high-tech "composites" of materials, but is simply a thin coating on aluminum. I'll stick ... 

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,...  

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... 

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, s...  

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 so... 

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 ... 

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. ... 

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 ...  

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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, b...  

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 cur... 

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 sam... 

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 mo... 

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

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 th... 

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... 

Hey, Bruno - I sure hope OP monitors this site. Your post is not the first reporting issues with the latest line from Panerai. Most disappointing. - Scott