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2 October 2014, 08:45 PM | #1 |
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Firenze!
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. |
2 October 2014, 09:21 PM | #2 |
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What do you mean it won't have a bubble crystal?
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2 October 2014, 09:31 PM | #3 |
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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
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2 October 2014, 09:55 PM | #4 |
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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. |
2 October 2014, 09:56 PM | #5 |
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2 October 2014, 09:59 PM | #6 |
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2 October 2014, 10:04 PM | #7 |
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2 October 2014, 10:43 PM | #8 |
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2 October 2014, 11:14 PM | #9 |
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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. |
3 October 2014, 02:19 AM | #10 |
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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
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3 October 2014, 03:12 AM | #11 |
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233 without a dome is like PBJ with the PB!
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3 October 2014, 03:19 AM | #12 |
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Listen to this man, he understands!!!
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Traveller - Genève * Melbourne * Miami * Wien Breitling AVI 765r Navitimer 806r Omega 3572.50 SM300MC Speedy Tuesday Caliber 321 Panerai 111 217 233 Rolex 16600 126600 Seiko SBGA125 SBDX001 SLA017 SLA025 SLA033 Tudor 5B GMT Zénith A386ME Other Mühle Glashütte S.A.R. Flieger Chronoswiss Tora |
3 October 2014, 03:39 AM | #13 |
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Maybe the price of your 233's will go up since the domed will be sought after. Just like the coveted "dot" dial.
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3 October 2014, 05:31 AM | #14 |
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im excited to see the 233 without the dome crystal.. that should look even better
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3 October 2014, 06:01 AM | #15 |
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that BLNR at $7400 is pretty tempting..
glad you enjoyed your trip...
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3 October 2014, 07:27 AM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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Traveller - Genève * Melbourne * Miami * Wien Breitling AVI 765r Navitimer 806r Omega 3572.50 SM300MC Speedy Tuesday Caliber 321 Panerai 111 217 233 Rolex 16600 126600 Seiko SBGA125 SBDX001 SLA017 SLA025 SLA033 Tudor 5B GMT Zénith A386ME Other Mühle Glashütte S.A.R. Flieger Chronoswiss Tora |
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3 October 2014, 11:22 AM | #17 |
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Very cool
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3 October 2014, 11:29 AM | #18 |
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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.
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3 October 2014, 11:36 AM | #19 |
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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.
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6 October 2014, 06:10 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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6 October 2014, 09:33 AM | #21 |
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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.
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6 October 2014, 12:14 PM | #22 |
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Congrats on your visit to Firenze...
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. |
6 October 2014, 01:15 PM | #23 | |
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Quote:
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 |
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