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

[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.

[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.....

[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.

[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.

[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.

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[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.

[RanHong]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

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.

I personally think this is really the wrong reason for a watch to be collectable.

[rolexcd]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

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.

Our concern is that whether the case back will slowly becoming corroded even though I place it in the safe.

I was really concerned about this issue that I try to "oil" the case back last night.

I rather to be able to wear it instead of saving it as a collector item.

I will have to think my order for the PAM 375. May be to sell my existing 339 to get a mint condition PAM 127 since I like the case and the dial of the PAM 127 and this is the main reason why I am trying to get the PAM 127. I have been scared by the composite materials based on what I have read over the last 2 days therefore would seriously consider whether the PAM 375 would be a wise move.

I have actually sent an email to Panerai to seek their insights on this matter and the below is the reply he has received at this stage:-

"Your e-mail has been successfully received from Officine Panerai.
We inform you that our offices will be closed from 8th till 22nd August 2011.
You request will be processed after this date.

Best regards,
OFFICINE PANERAI
Marketing & Comunicazione"

May be they are having a long holiday to work on this issue now.

[rolexcd]

Originally Posted by RanHong

I personally think this is really the wrong reason for a watch to be collectable.

I absolutely agree with your comments since I am really an user instead of a collector. I will watch the trend on the second-hand prices over the net in the next couple of days and may be will get rid of my existing one whenever possible.

[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.

[B. Doggy]

Originally Posted by RanHong

I personally think this is really the wrong reason for a watch to be collectable.

For sure, this is why I mentioned it and used the "error" baseball card as an example. But one of the reasons we buy these expensive watches, among others, is the history. If you're a collector and can come across a rare "error," then you have one of a very limited production run and a story to tell. Pure history.

This isn't the first time a high-end watch maker screwed up the use of a material either. IWC used rhodium plating on their movements of the 5002 BP, which invariably will discolor. Look at the prices of these and they are at or above the newer 5004. Go figure.

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by rolexcd

I absolutely agree with your comments since I am really an user instead of a collector. I will watch the trend on the second-hand prices over the net in the next couple of days and may be will get rid of my existing one whenever possible.

If I were you, I'd wait till Panerai have it settled. If it cannot be fixed, you can ask for reimbursement. Selling now is definitely a bad move.

take care

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by Chaos

If I were you, I'd wait till Panerai have it settled. If it cannot be fixed, you can ask for reimbursement. Selling now is definitely a bad move.

Its kinnda weird that the guys with no issues are not posting...

This is really bad PR and I am sure Panerai is on it.

Europe shuts down for a month during the summer...hence the no response...

[RanHong]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

For sure, this is why I mentioned it and used the "error" baseball card as an example. But one of the reasons we buy these expensive watches, among others, is the history. If you're a collector and can come across a rare "error," then you have one of a very limited production run and a story to tell. Pure history.

This isn't the first time a high-end watch maker screwed up the use of a material either. IWC used rhodium plating on their movements of the 5002 BP, which invariably will discolor. Look at the prices of these and they are at or above the newer 5004. Go figure.

Fair Enough. However speculation is another matter altogether. To me, the now infamous "339-case" is beyond "error". If OP releases an statement tomorrow saying something like: 'dear valued 339 customers, we acknowledge that there's been a slight error in the production of Pam00339, do not worry it will become a future collectable, thus appreciate in value. We advise you to keep all your boxes and documentations, and DO NOT wear your watch, as it will make it deteriorate further. Thank you' I wonder how many pam339 owners will find that acceptable. Now can you imagine something like that happening with Rolex? Lol