End of an Era and here's to a Fresh Start

[rajurama]

Jean-Marc Pontroué the Ceo of Panerai since past 7 years exits making way for new Ceo Emmanuel Perrin.

Lets have a healthy unbiased discussion of your personal opinion of Panerai regarding the last decade and expectations from the brand.

I personally feel the guy has done a decent job and other than the in-house movements issue and non hacking few crazy 'experience' watches but overall the brand has done well in terms customer service and recognition. The experience at a Panerai boutique is so much nicer compared to any other watch brands.

Regards to future I hope they bring back solid genuinely in-house movements, and focus mainly on the watches themselves keeping both purists and new buyers happy.

Also please use this thread as an excuse to share your collection and passion for Panerai :)

[shammad10]

I've owned two Panerai's from the JMP era, and I personally think that he has done more damage to the brand than conceivable.

Cost cutting at every corner, along with decrease in quality and crazy price increases. Their current catalogue are probably 50% too expensive. The movements are uglier and less serviceable, new dive watches with 30m water resistance and the lies about in-house movements, removing hacking and downgrading finish without telling customers tells me he lacks integrity chasing a quick buck.

Don't even get me started on the endless dumb collaborations with 'navy seals, brabus, luna Rossa, mike horn' etc.

Good riddance to JMP and hope that Panerai can recapture the magic they had.

I saw a good comment about it:

Panerai need to take a page out of Grand Seiko’s playbook: focus (and authenticate) their marketing, overbuild their watches to match that marketing, and make their core “Paneristi” constituents happy. Then, when someone buys a Panerai as their second or third watch for a change of pace, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality and attention to detail in design, which will result in their feeling like they’ve discovered an entirely distinct style of watchmaking, a la Grand Seiko. Most importantly, Panerai are lucky to already have what Grand Seiko and so many other brands lack: iconic designs and names that are recognizable and grounded in history (however unsavory that history may be).

[travisb]

Way too many new releases and collaborations. High pricing and lack of exclusivity that the brand once had.
I still love the brand and hope to see a healthy uptick in direction under the new CEO.
My favorite references are still some of the OGs like the 127, 233 and earlier Submersibles.

[crazycarlitos]

Not a fan of JMP.
He made Panerai too trendy, gimmicky, and “luxury” for me. Lol

*But to be fair, I thought Panerai started losing its DNA with initial introduction of Due line in 2016 (SnapBack case, 30m WR. Smh)

I really can’t see myself spending money on any of the new Panerai watches with its bloated prices.

Since JMP killed the Pam used market prices, I will prob end up acquiring something like 2005 pam183 to add to my pre-JMP collection.

[Joearch]

I have been a Panerai collector for 20 years. JMP era seemed to make the brand weaker due to number of odd specialties. Simplicity and clarity would be a path forward. Clear communication about brand goals would make sense. I focus on older references.

[Cru Jones]

JMP, trends, luxury, gimmicks… I don’t about all that... all I know is that when I look at the photos of the watches in this thread, I think to myself “these look good!”

[fflump]

They sure look good but the comment above about the ridiculous Due range is spot on