Sandwich Dial Q

[dimag333]

So did Panerai get rid of sandwich dials all together? Sorry for the elementary question

steve

[MBTRM]

I'm sure others will have more complete answers but, yes, I believe they stopped including them on many of their lower price point base models, unfortunately. I can't see how much they really save however, since we are not talking about cheap watches ($4.5K+) , especially since they have the production line in place already for their creation.

But it does push the consumer to look at the pricier models in order to get that feature.

[dimag333]

what is the starting point now for a sandwich dial?

steve

[MBTRM]

From a look on their website, it appears that for a newly purchased sandwich dial at full retail ~$7400 for a 312/392. For most models the sandwich has been left only on the 1950s and 1940s versions. Many for the simplest models without dates no longer offer sandwich.

From what I have seen on the forums, this is pushing more people into pre-owned or NOS in order to get the base models which makes me think that they will become tougher to find.

[dimag333]

and would that make older models with the sandwich more desirable?

steve

[Mystro]

Hard to say because there are two split camps that either like the "sausage dial" or "sandwich dial". There can't be any money saved as both dials require their own bit of hand work to create. I have watched the lume being installed by hand on each sausage dial and it's labor intensive. The milling to create the sandwich dial is automated but requires more material so I believe the cost is a wash.

Originally Posted by dimag333

and would that make older models with the sandwich more desirable?

steve

[MBTRM]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Hard to say because there are two split camps that either like the "sausage dial" or "sandwich dial". There can't be any money saved as both dials require their own bit of hand work to create. I have watched the lume being installed by hand on each sausage dial and it's labor intensive. The milling to create the sandwich dial is automated but requires more material so I believe the cost is a wash.

Good point, Mystro, and i agree that cost can't be the deciding factor. Also, you've watched the lume being applied? Were you touring the factory?

[Mystro]

Saw it on a documentary of the Panerai Factory. There was even a demo of lume being applied on the "Factory Made" show on the discovery channel. You might be able to find it on you tube. Its very impressive to watch a Panerai being made.

This isnt the video I saw but here is Lume being applied on dial at around 1:25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNY5fxsoA8o

Originally Posted by MBTRM

Good point, Mystro, and i agree that cost can't be the deciding factor. Also, you've watched the lume being applied? Were you touring the factory?

[stockae92]

Originally Posted by dimag333

So did Panerai get rid of sandwich dials all together? Sorry for the elementary question

steve

no, they just discontinued it for 44mm Luminor models.

There will be other sandwich dial models but they will be at different price segment

[dimag333]

Originally Posted by stockae92

no, they just discontinued it for 44mm Luminor models.

There will be other sandwich dial models but they will be at different price segment

I kind of feel like getting this rid of all 44 lum is like fender not making American sunburst strats anymore, only deluxe

steve

[MBTRM]

I agree with dimag on this one. I just can't see the benefit to the consumer, but then again, that's not always the deciding factor for the company.