Panerai's Substandard Packaging

[kiowapilot]

I would first like to say that you all have made this a fantastic Panerai resource, and I have enjoyed reading this forum for the past few months. I am the new owner of a 112, and I really could not be any happier with it. It has taken all the wrist time away from my collection of Breitlings.

Having said that, I do have one gripe about the packaging.

I understand we don't buy these watches for their packaging, but for a brand that starts around $5k and quickly goes up from there, I was disappointed to see that the plumwood box is a veneer- a pretty thin one at that. The 'luxury' watch industry is one built upon (among other things) first class marketing. Wouldn't it make sense to maintain that image of unwaivering quality in the product's packaging? I think it just cheapens the whole experience when you find it all a facade.

That's not to say I'm not completely satisfied with the watch!!!! I just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there and see if anyone else had any thoughts on it.