In 1997, a new CEO was appointed to turn the watchmaker Panerai into a contemporary luxury brand. Since then, it has been expanding rapidly and has developed a reputation as a go-to luxury watchmaker. Its products are highly sought after in the top-end market, and it has just recently brought all of its manufacturing under one roof. It has even been referred to as a cult brand, with loyal followers all over the world who wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else for their next timepiece.
New Premises
As Panerai continue to move further into the forefront of luxury watch-making, the brand is quickly becoming synonymous with classic design. The premises that the company have moved into is a cutting-edge new building that houses a 10,000-square-metre manufacturing plant and enables the entire watch-making process to take place under one roof.
Even the building itself is a reflection of the contemporary design that Panerai has come to represent, and the move is designed to take Panerai even further forward. In keeping with much of the brand's watch design, the new building remains subtle, elegant and somewhat traditional with modern twists. It is located just outside of Neuchatel in Switzerland. The company was already operating from the town, but had a series of buildings dotted about the place that were not geographically connected.
Eco-Friendly
The plush new facilities take advantage of huge advances in security. They are also designed with the company’s eco-friendly ethos in mind, so that the building itself and the processes that go on inside it are all as environmentally friendly as possible. The new manufacturing plant uses a ground source heat pump to generate both its hot water and its electricity. There is a facility to recycle rainwater, and natural light is used as much as possible. This is achieved by having a lot of windows in the building, flooding it with natural light.
The building's structure was crafted using eco-friendly materials, and it is completely carbon-neutral. To further reduce the carbon footprint of the company, they are working with their employees on staff transport and lift-sharing schemes.
The organisation’s chief executive, Mr Angelo Bonati, has stated that the move will mean that before long 100% of all the components used in Panerai watches’ movements will be made in-house and that their levels of staffing will increase dramatically. This will, as a side effect, massively reduce the company’s carbon footprint, giving them even further eco-friendly credentials.
Panerai watches are very popular with collectors for their sleek and traditional approach, and this move looks set to keep that continuing long into the future. The Watch Buyers online store has an incredible selection of Panerai watches for sale. Why not take a look today?
