Nice... A peace of mind to have it serviced through the experts. Congrats

Kind regards,
Louis

 

Thanks for sharing. Why did it need a new bezel?

 

The bezel was heavily scratched from years of normal wear. It probably couldn't be polished enough so they just replaced it.

If I may ask, why did it need new hands?

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I think they replace the hands with all full service requests. I did not specifically request it.

OP/Saint
Did you send in your watch with the protector or did they provide it with the service case?

I had an old watch case, like you'd get with a Casio. Wrapped it in plastic and shipped it insured.

Do you have before and after pictures? How many years did you wait?

Sure do...see below.

 

If I may ask, why did it need new hands?

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Typically in pam service they change the hands as it’s difficult to remove then reuse and reattach the hands...the hands might be bent during the removal process

 

thanks for your feedback.
looks great and New again :-!.

 

OP/Saint
Did you send in your watch with the protector or did they provide it with the service case?

 

Do you have before and after pictures? How many years did you wait?

 

Glad to hear about a positive experience.

 

I've owned my 1312 for a few years and really only wanted it polished, but figured I'd send it in to have everything checked out. I wear this watch regularly and it showed. I'm sure I could have had a polish done at any jeweler, but I wanted to try out Panerai's service.

I initially did some research on their website, but ended up calling for help. Someone answered the phone quickly and was extremely courteous. They were able to tell me expected repair costs for my particular watch right away and answer my shipping questions.

I packaged up the watch based on their recommendations, filled out their Service Request form, and shipped it away. This was on February 19th.

On February 26 an email arrived from Panerai with a detailed estimate and notes as to why each service was needed.

Complete Service - $695, which included handling/freight and replacement hands
Polishing (which I requested) - $100
Replacement of Bezel - $119
Total with Tax $960.

I approved the service over the phone right away, again no wait for someone to answer. I was a bit surprised that they did not require payment before starting the service.

March 17 I received an email the service was complete and would be shipped back.
March 23rd I received the watch back in great condition.

Very happy with the service, albeit expensive. I will definitely use Panerai service again.

Started Feb 19th, received back on March 23. Roughly 5 weeks.

Hope this gives you a bit of insight into the service and what to expect.

Enjoy some pictures!

Which Panerai did this service for you? In Geneva?

 

Mine is currently in Texas at the Richemont repair center. I'm anxious to get it back. I had a mainspring issue, along with it needed normal service for being a 15 year old watch.

They are supposed to be polishing and re-engraving all marking around the outside of the case. I'm anxious to see how they do.

I'll post a review as soon as I get it back.

Thanks for posting your review!

 

I‘ve also had an excellent experience with my watch returned after 4 weeks in like-new condition. Prices at Munich service center: large service 440, new crystal 260 and polish 90 Euros. I feel the 440 and 260 are a little steep but in line with other brands, the polish-surcharge was worth every cent. I’ve also noticed my crown now „pops out“ a little again when the guard-lever is released (maybe sign that the seal had been worn out before the service and one of the reasons I wanted to „treat“ my PAM to a factory repair). One caveat or observation is that I immediately wanted to attach a new strap to make it feel even more like new to me and the screws (both lugs and buckle) were extremely tight and I thus bent the heads a little while loosening. Also they no longer screw in quite as tight now that they were removrd (but still seem secure and like they were before the service). Makes me think there might be a weak loctite on the screws when watches come back and I wish I hadn‘t gone in with the screwdriver immediately but rather left the screw heads and screws in their pristine and tight conditions. Has anyone experienced a similar situation with the screw bars being tighter after a factory service? I was debating whether to get a weak loctite but I think I just want to enjoy the watch in it‘s amazing condition and stop messing with a good thing.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

This is really good, timely info for me. My new to me PAM is about 4 years old and I just emailed with a concierge for Panerai today. They are sending me the forms and I will be sending the watch in for Servicing. Nothing really wrong, just since it’s almost at the time and it’s only recently came to me

 

That is exactly what I would expect for a $1,000 service


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I just collected my pam 26K today from a full service, crystal replacement and hands changed.
But the hands look terrible, take a look at the before and after shots. The new hands look green!

I have asked Panerai to change the hands back.
Would it possible? I hope they haven't thrown the original hands away.

 

I just collected my pam 26K today from a full service, crystal replacement and hands changed.
But the hands look terrible, take a look at the before and after shots. The new hands look green!

I have asked Panerai to change the hands back.
Would it possible? I hope they haven't thrown the original hands away.

View attachment 17233009

View attachment 17233008

The following day, I brought the watch back to Panerai.
They agreed that the hands were not the correct ones and also found a slight scratch on the newly replaced crystal.

The hands and crystal are work in progress as we speak...
Should be anytime soon....and I spent close to a thousand dollars for such poor service.

 

Reading this thread, goodness but also badness, I wouldn't call something a full service if they charge extra for polishing!!! And if hands are changed whether you like it or not, why is a simple thing like a bezel not an option included within a full service???
The post above, I guess they would have thrown them away as soon as they took them off. If I was a servicer I would consider anything taken off as property of the watch purchaser and would return everything unless instructed otherwise to throw such things away, with the exception of an obvious legal situation like radium disposal of an older item.

 

Totally agree with your statements. I have a 1312 and it's in great condition. But replacing the bezel? Charging for polishing? Wtf?! Very concerning.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience

 

I had a very positive experience with the service center in Houston, and like the OP said they replace the hands on every service (mine were returned to me per my request).

Noticed someone mentioned using "locktite" on their strap screws, how does one change them if you do this? To me strap changes are one the pluses of owning Panerai.

 

There are various grades of Locktite. Get the weakest grade and you will be able to unscrew them.

 

Changing hands with each service sounds terrible.

 

This does seems pricey, but as others have said, that’s the price for peace of mind. I believe the question is already answered, but I am assuming no original pieces were returned to you? Don’t know why, but it seems odd in this business that the owner buys new things but doesn’t get the old things back. My dad told me a long time ago to get the parts back from the mechanic if for no other reason than to make sure they really were replaced. I’ve had a lot of good conversations with my mechanics over the years as they’ve shown me just what went wrong with the part right there in front of us.

 

Just had my 233 Dot serviced. The replaced (all) the hands, but they look just like the original ones. All good there.
I had my bezel replaced; I was surprised at the cost ($325). I had it replaced anyway. For those that are curious, the crown guard replacement would cost around $200, and I think a new crystal (domed) is like $375 or something.

They did the complete service within like 3 weeks; very good turnaround time. Satisfied with the service. Cost is creeping up there, though.

 

Update: wild goose chase...

 

Ridiculous that they took off good patinated hands that they agree are still good. The company policy needs changing, put the customers' needs first.

 

I think that’s one of the reasons I’ll stick with the older PAM000… Any decent watchmaker can service it. New gaskets, lube, that’s it.

 

Im glad that they still have your old hands...

 

It is really awesome you shared your experience, I'm still thinking about how to go about mine.

 

What about yours?