Quote:
Originally Posted by username11
Inform yourself. Today's Panerai and Panerais have little to do with the historical Panerais of lore. Their military importance was always limited and for the better part of the last century dubious (and even then, do you really want to wear a reminder of Italy's performance during World War II on your wrist?), culminating with a whimper during the last twenty years out of military spec as a fashion item made popular by none other than Sylvester Stallone. The current brand owners are skillful at recreating their military "heritage" in order to sell easily scratched expensive watches to office workers and bankers who have likely never handled a gun or even been in a fist fight.
Besides, a brand's wealth in history (and marketing) does not dictate the class or lack thereof of its current offerings, one must only look at Panerai's sibling in contemporary tackiness, Louis Vuitton (founded 1854), to witness the same phenomenon:
Panerai today is about as "authentic" a watch maker as Brunello Cucinelli is an authentic outfitter to the rugged explorers always pictured in their ad campaigns. Good marketing, yes, reality: no.
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There is so much irony in your above personal grievance. You disregard the origins of this watch manufacturer, or at least play-it-down, yet in the same breath make note of its historical lineage, which, by the way, all but calls into question your original asinine comparison of
it to the less historically relevant Ed Hardy brand -a damn clothing line with a short shelf-life. If you were really as clever as you hoped to be, a fairer, more fitting comparison to Ed Hardy would be Movado. I digress...
Your nitpicking about these watches being easily scratched is trivial at best and does little to convince the reader that you're someone privy to what is and what isn't considered quality. An informed reader and timepiece aficionado will brush your words off, for we can assume they already accept the inherent risks of ownership, like with any other expensive consumer good. What's your point again? A watch of this caliber that is actually used and shows signs of actual usage, adds character. Or perhaps you prefer those who simply purchase expensive timepieces, post their collection online ad nauseam, and only wear them for "special occasions"?
Moreover, The discontinuation from supplying the Italian military with spec'd Panerais to now recreating exclusively a civilian line of watches strengthens, not weakens, the brand. For one; The watch originated with a purpose. This is realized with every piece they sell. It served the military well during its tenure. Two; the DNA of these timepieces have remained consistent (Panerai Historic). Continuity comes at a price. Three; Popularity is not a fair segue to ad hominen-laced attacks toward a celebrity, who by the way, is known to be entrenched into the watch lifestyle/ culture for decades. I'd say Sly Stone is a great ambassador.
You don't prefer the watch? That's fine. But to go on a childish rant stereotyping those who enjoy what this company creates is behavior of the lowest common denominator.