339 Composite Case Issues

[leeye]

For lucky owners of 339, watch out for your prized watch.

To read more, please refer to below thread.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/35339...ion+-+cont%27d

[TheDude]

I knew there was a reason I didn't like the fact that this was just coated aluminum.

I think Panerai was too ambitious. This clearly wasn't ready for production.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[leeye]

Originally Posted by TheDude

I knew there was a reason I didn't like the fact that this was just coated aluminum.

I think Panerai was too ambitious. This clearly wasn't ready for production.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

yes i agree. the base aluminum metal in the metal case remains unchanged, only the surface gets some special treatment. aluminum metal is still prone to corrosion, especially to human sweat.

already got my eyes set on the new 2011 white dial, black markers/hands Rolex Explorer II with the orange tip GMT hand.

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...lorer-ii/video

[L-16610]

doens't look good
they should stick to DLC and PVD
Just make some handsome watches and do try all those new materials
Steel, titanium, gold and platinum is more than enough

[rolexcd]

I have been wearing mine one for a while and my case back is becoimg lighter in colour. I cannot see the same extends to the case. I originally thought that they intentionally try to achieve this effect to distinguish used against new one as I thought that the company would have test the materials throughly before release?

If mwy a case back becomes the one above, I will definitely take it back for a replacement. However, I am wondering sif they can replace one with the same serial number on top.

Looks like I should wear it more often before the 2-year warranty expires to ensure that I can ask for a fix earlier than later.

Any other owners can share your thoughts on this issue?

[leeye]

Anthony, you should clean the back case often and avoid accumulation of sweat on the back case. This is a case of pitting corrosion which occurs in some metals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitting_corrosion

[mfer]

Originally Posted by rolexcd

I have been wearing mine one for a while and my case back is becoimg lighter in colour. I cannot see the same extends to the case. I originally thought that they intentionally try to achieve this effect to distinguish used against new one as I thought that the company would have test the materials throughly before release?

If mwy a case back becomes the one above, I will definitely take it back for a replacement. However, I am wondering sif they can replace one with the same serial number on top.

Looks like I should wear it more often before the 2-year warranty expires to ensure that I can ask for a fix earlier than later.

Any other owners can share your thoughts on this issue?

Wow, so this is 4 confirmed cases so far. "Mak" is experiencing the same exact thing you are and then there is that case where the case back looks like it has some disease and Mizount has a small spec coming off.

Not good Panerai....and this coming from one of you biggest fans.....

[rolexcd]

Originally Posted by mfer

Wow, so this is 4 confirmed cases so far. "Mak" is experiencing the same exact thing you are and then there is that case where the case back looks like it has some disease and Mizount has a small spec coming off.

Not good Panerai....and this coming from one of you biggest fans.....

There are more than 4 cases that I am sure.

I heard that most users in Hong Kong have this "issue" due to the fact that most of them received the watch before summer and the hot / humid weather of Hong Kong means that most of the 339 owners there would have huge chance of dipping their 339s with their sweat at above 30C over a few days.

I guess an email to Panerai to seek their proposed actions on this issue should be done. I don't want to write off my 339 after 2 years as this corrosion process may continue even I place my watch in the safe from now on.

If others are experiencing the whitening effect on the case back, please share with me. Many thanks.

[B. Doggy]

Originally Posted by rolexcd

There are more than 4 cases that I am sure.

I heard that most users in Hong Kong have this "issue" due to the fact that most of them received the watch before summer and the hot / humid weather of Hong Kong means that most of the 339 owners there would have huge chance of dipping their 339s with their sweat at above 30C over a few days.

I guess an email to Panerai to seek their proposed actions on this issue should be done. I don't want to write off my 339 after 2 years as this corrosion process may continue even I place my watch in the safe from now on.

If others are experiencing the whitening effect on the case back, please share with me. Many thanks.

If Panerai does in fact discontinue their composite cases due to this obvious issue, you'll likely have a very valuable watch on your hands down the road. It sucks because you won't/can't wear it, but boy I'd bet it's worth some change for a collector in the future. It's like an "error" baseball card. Just make sure you keep it all original and not let PASC get their paws on it. Maybe waiting to see how this plays out is the best course of action....assuming my theory is correct.

[Cru Jones]

Pretty scary stuff!

I'm surprised to find out the composite material is just coated aluminum....maybe it's an impressive feat, but, it doesn't "sound" impressive.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Pretty scary stuff!

I'm surprised to find out the composite material is just coated aluminum....maybe it's an impressive feat, but, it doesn't "sound" impressive.

They never obfuscated that fact, it was part of their literature on the composite. Agreed though - I wouldn't want an aluminum case, especially one with the coating worn off.

[leeye]

look up on aluminum ceramisation process and you'll be surprised by what information you find.

[dddrees]

Thats very bad for a luxury watch.

Hopefully Panerai will step up to the plate and address this issue.

[psv]

I highly suspect Panerai messed this one up, a lot more to come on this I'm sure.

[Chaos]

This problem is not a surprise

Since last year, there are reports of discolouration when it gets contact with alcohol. Per se, it's already unacceptable .

What is even more unacceptable is the fancy description on Panerai website, misleading to high tech properties of otherwise ordinary material.

[unknown]

this might be the reason we don't see the 386 yet
It should be regular production and they would make 4000 this year


whit these problems I wonder if we'll ever see a composite again.

Such a big and good company can't afford such mistakes

The 339 could become a very rare watch. Maybe the one and only composite Panerai ever !

[leeye]

i highly doubt OP will admit error on their part, instead it could be a few isolated cases then quietly replacing the affected parts.

recall the issues with the cracked ceramic cases on the 292? owners have to pay for new ceramic case???

rare watches indeed coz they are unwearable. kekekeke

[Shade]

Hm, thats just strange though, why would it react to sweat?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Shade

Hm, thats just strange though, why would it react to sweat?

Oils? Salt? pH?

Perhaps an acidic pH which is not uncommon in sweat.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[andrew79]

I smell... recall !!! LOL

[rolexcd]

Originally Posted by andrew79

I smell... recall !!! LOL

I really hope this would happen.

[RanHong]

I don't own a panerai, but I am considering the 312 or 183. I have heard quite a few horror stories in regards to panerai's quality/after sale service, and from what I have read in the past couple of days now I am really thinking twice about buying a Pam.

[rolexcd]

Originally Posted by RanHong

I don't own a panerai, but I am considering the 312 or 183. I have heard quite a few horror stories in regards to panerai's quality/after sale service, and from what I have read in the past couple of days now I am really thinking twice about buying a Pam.

I have owned a couple of PAMs with 312 being my first one and experience no issue at all with the quality of them except for this current material issue with the 339 therefore please do consider having one.

[leeye]

Originally Posted by RanHong

I don't own a panerai, but I am considering the 312 or 183. I have heard quite a few horror stories in regards to panerai's quality/after sale service, and from what I have read in the past couple of days now I am really thinking twice about buying a Pam.

The basic models with the stainless steel case and standard movements are proven watches. So if anything your choice of the 183 or 287 would be alright.

[Fearsome Puppy]

I just picked up on this thread, Anthony - sorry to hear of the issues, wish my post could have been one more congratulatory in nature as the 339 is a really spectacular watch. Hope you have this all resolved soon...

[Shade]

Isnt the aluminium coated though with this composite material? How did the sweats seep in? I thought it would make it airtight coating..

[ocwatching]

Anthony, I too wish for some resolution and answers from Panerai.
I hope it all works out for you on that beauty of a piece!

[leeye]

at this moment we can only speculate how OP will react to this issue. let's wait and see when the Europe summer holidays are over.

[Chaos]

Incredibly, the post at P.com got locked.

So, it's indeed strange that people cannot express freely their problems and frustrations, since the forum would be intended to benefit the community, not the brand.

As some use to say, it's "much more than a watch".

[leeye]

so much for freedom of speech but it ain't gonna get locked here right? and the issue don't go away either.