Anonimo Watches a Panerai spin off......

"Fine watches with Florentine horological tradition? Timepiece manufacturing representing the Italian Military? Sound familiar? It might to a stylish watch enthusiast also interested in an alternative brand additionally rooted in the sphere of Florence, Italy, but connoisseurs who know that beyond these items, there are few other similarities of these two brands. The first may well started a trend with its timepieces, basically achieving cult status, but the other is not so far behind - and doing things its own distinctive way, however intertwined the roots may well be. The previous is Panerai, which released its first new style watch 1993. It wasn't until 1997 while it was brought out by the Vendome group (now Richemont) and the brand's production is no longer made in Italy but in Switzerland, leaving the original group of creative Italian watchmakers, project makers, and designers on the Swiss-Italian border lacking a job. The same year, designer and capitalist Federico Massacesi founded the other business, using this very team of veteran horological specialists, to keep on manufacturing stylist watches with sophisticated Florentine tradition. His new brand he named Anonimo, Italian for Anonymous, to underline the truth that these watches are about who is wearing them not about the purpose of a fashion symbol. Massacesi's definite design and emphasis on quality for Anonimo are based on the unique watch case production and the patented Kodiak watch band. The case, made of AISI 316L surgical stainless steel is manufactured in a very different manner. It is "scooped out" on a lathe and machined from the inside, as compared to stamped out like most other cases. This method of manufacturing prevents excessive stress in the metal. Massacesi's resolute belief is to while metal is struck, the molecules are largely restructured, making the metal brittle. The Anonimo technique of manufacture results in a stylish watch case with an extra organic feel to it, almost like the natural effect of salt water hitting rocks. The smooth, satinated case walls are strong and do not mark or wear as easily as conventional steel does. Massacesi introduced another alternative to watch case design in 2004: The Ox-Pro watch case surface treatment. Ox-Pro is an oxidation process performed on the case's surface turning it black in color process commonly used in the industry called PVD Coating. This Ox=pro process produces a deep, warm black color. It is a process that has been used in the past for military weapons. The Kodiak process for the watch straps is equally remarkable. These straps, originally chosen by Panerai, are shaped by a patented process to allow leather to be submerged continuously in fresh or seawater for up to twenty-four hours. Interestingly enough Panerai was interested in this process but Anonimo SPA currently holds the sole patent to the Kodiak process. This is a significant improvement not just for the water but in humid climates where typical leather is uncomfortable while worn due to perspiration penetrating the strap (not an issue for Anonimo straps. Most other leather straps look worn out after water submersion but the Anonimo Kodiak watch band looks fresh and new. Anonimo's primary watch, the Millimetri, was released in 1998 impressing watch buyers and professional divers in Italy. In cooperation with one of the most significant deep-sea diving companies in the world, C.N.S. (Cooperativa Nazionale Subacquei), allows the Italian brand to control its watches and have them tested firsthand by professionals under real conditions. Anonimo, with its twelve-monthly production of on 4,000 watches, successfully entered the American makret and is instantly positioned next to fifty of America's high-end retail shops, the brand is often proudly located subsequently to its countryman, Panerai. But rest be assured these watches can really hold up to the scrutiny that any Paneristi can dish out".(Anonimo & web sourced ) http://www.anonimousa.com/history.html

Interesting read, but I think some of it is just spin. So Panerai introduces new watches in 1993, they are sold in 1997 to Vendome who moves the operation to Switzerland. So out of the ashes of Panerai, this "very team of veteran horological specialists" is put to work on the new Anonimo. These veterans have all of four years experience, (would be considered apprentices in my line of work.) Just found that little tidbit interesting. For the record, I like Anonimo and have been looking for a good deal on a couple of their models. Just goes to show you heritage and expertise is embellished on all levels of the horological world.

Mark1 wrote:Interesting read, but I think some of it is just spin. So Panerai introduces new watches in 1993, they are sold in 1997 to Vendome who moves the operation to Switzerland. So out of the ashes of Panerai, this "very team of veteran horological specialists" is put to work on the new Anonimo. These veterans have all of four years experience, (would be considered apprentices in my line of work.) Just found that little tidbit interesting. For the record, I like Anonimo and have been looking for a good deal on a couple of their models. Just goes to show you heritage and expertise is embellished on all levels of the horological world.

Panerai introduced new watches in 1993 ...that been said, they were making watches long before that... I think the read is heavily focused on Anonimo, leaving lots of voids ...

Panerai History (Not my words below but can't find the author for credit)



I make no claims about any of this being authoritative, but it's the best I've been able to glean from several sources.

In the 1860s, one Guido (good name that) Panerai set up a wordshop in Florence making precision mechanical instruments. The workshops carried on into the 20th century as "Officine Panerai".

By the 1930s the workshops were making a range of wrist-worn instruments for frogmen; compasses, depth gauges and the like.

In 1935 Officine Panerai were comissioned by the Italian Navy to construct watches for use underwater, specifically ones that could be read underwater. After some inital prototypes Officine Panerai delivered it's first product diving watches in 1938. These were fitted with Rolex movements (and Rolex crowns and casebacks).

Officine Panerai progressively improved its designs, with increased luminosity of numerals and hands, and the now famous crown-locking device. Later models were fitted with an Angelus 8 day (marked "8 giorno") movement . The radioactive radium which gave such legibility to the Radiomir models was replaced with the distinctly less toxic compound "Luminor".

Things get a bit hazy here, but as far as I can see the equipment manufacturing end of Officine Panerai drifted out of business after the end of the Second World War.

In 1993 Officine Panerai started to reproduce the Luminor, and the Mare Nostrum chronograph, basically targetted at the collector's market. These were produced only in very limited numbers.

In 1997 Officine Panerai were acquired by the Vendôme group. Under the new bosses basically the same models were produced, still in small numbers. However in a clever marketing move, a few "unique editions" were produced each year, with an intriguing movement or case design.

This basically brings us to the present day. There seems to be no great rush to produce Officine Panerai watches in huge numbers. Collectors are snapping up vintage models and "pre - Vendôme", and Panerai have just launched their most exciting range of production watches and unique editions yet. It will be intriguing to see what happens in the next few years, but with a steady hand on the helm Panerai might well become one of the most collectable brands around, whilst still not being seen on every street corner.

I really like the historical collection Pannys, the submersibles and other modern styles, not so much.

I have to admit that Anonimos don't do it for me.

It seems that I'm not alone. The Panerais seem to hold their value better than Anonimo.

Interesting parallels between Panerai and Invicta. I'm talking about the military history, both alleged and otherwise. Then both companies basically dissolve until they are resurrected in the early 90s by outsiders thus nullifying any claim to heritage. Not comparing the companies product wise because there is none, just interesting how parts of their story are very similar.

Disclaimer-people please read my post again in its entirety before flaming me for comparing the two companies.

Mark1 wrote:Interesting parallels between Panerai and Invicta. I'm talking about the military history, both alleged and otherwise. Then both companies basically dissolve until they are resurrected in the early 90s by outsiders thus nullifying any claim to heritage. Not comparing the companies product wise because there is none, just interesting how parts of their story are very similar.

Disclaimer-people please read my post again in its entirety before flaming me for comparing the two companies.

No flame, just irony:

I was thinking of the parallels with Anonimo and Invicta."the wonderful quality, without the high price tag..."

I shutter to hear anonimo and Invicta in the same sentence. Anonimo is high quality whereas Invicta is shit for most part.

ericf4 wrote:I shutter to hear anonimo and Invicta in the same sentence. Anonimo is high quality whereas Invicta is shit for most part.

Agreed, thats why I wanted people to reread it if they thought I equated either Panerai or Anonimo to Invicta.

. . . it's actually a very good comparison, in terms of the direction each company chose to take.

No way to compare the 2 brands.Anonimo started because the big P left Italy, the casemakers that stayed behind as well as the makers themselves have deep family history in Italy & they were themselves the tradition of P.
No way you can say Invicter & Anonimo in the same sentence.
If any of you get the magazine watchtime read it please.....

watchdaddy1 wrote:
No way you can say Invicter & Anonimo in the same sentence.
.

But you just did!!

spin and bullshit are sop in watch industry

From 1938 to 1993 less than three hundrered panerai watches were built, in 1995 they caught the eye of sly stalone and the rest is history! After the move to Switzerland even though there wasnt alot of watches made over the years it was done by the same proud Italian people, same case makers even 3 generations of the same family making straps and they all do it for Anonimo now and let me tell you they make a great product and you might want to look at the prices because some are over 7 grand! I just called topers to check on a bracelet for my Millemetri and they want a 1000 bones for it but rob said he could get it closer to 800 (for a bracelet)! These watches are built just as nice in every way but the fact that the Big P finally is a movement manufacturer! Love mine!

Let me be 100% clear:

I plan to own a Panerai someday and would certainly be delighted to have an Anonimo, too.

What I intended to say was that by using the old Panerai watchmakers (and trumpeting this quite openly), the vibe I think Anonimo is attempting to get across is: you basically get Panerai quality for a lower price.

This was always the Invicta marketing strategy.

I am in no way comparing quality of Chinese crap with either Panny or Anonimo...

BigCheez wrote:

I am in no way comparing quality of Chinese crap with either Panny or Anonimo...

Me neither-as I took great pains to point out. It seems some just skimmed that part. Obvious quality and service issues aside, I find some of the marketing parallels interesting.

TREVOR THAT IS SICK I HAD A HARD TIME DECIDING D-DATE OR MILLEMETRI ON WENT W/ THE D-DATE, SHOULD BE HAVING IT COUPLE WEEKS FROM NOW...

BigCheez wrote:Let me be 100% clear:

I plan to own a Panerai someday and would certainly be delighted to have an Anonimo, too.

What I intended to say was that by using the old Panerai watchmakers (and trumpeting this quite openly), the vibe I think Anonimo is attempting to get across is: you basically get Panerai quality for a lower price.

This was always the Invicta marketing strategy.

I am in no way comparing quality of Chinese crap with either Panny or Anonimo...

& A PERFECT MARKETING SKILL IF YOU ASK ME..They r letting the public know that hey we r here to stay w/ AWESOME craftsmen building our timepieces....I want a Panerai 2

I had never even heard of Anonimo until eric showed up on the scene in one. Yea, I'm still kind of a Noob in many cases.

Anonimos' are highly unattractive in my opinion. Design wise, Panerai is head and shoulders above.

I think they are so ugly that I bought 2.

ericf4 wrote:I think they are so ugly that I bought 2.

Well if you ever turn that blue dialed ugly duckling loose, I'd be interested.

Lol. Never say never. I just might. I got my eyes on a few new ones that may require a selling off or two.