Worried by Panerai's history?

[Sarajevo]

I really like the distinctive styling of Panerai watches and have been thinking about coming over to the dark side for a while. However, the dark side is perhaps an appropriate way of describing the brand's history. As many of you will probably know, Panerai compasses were used by divers of the Italian Army in WWII, the "Gamma men", to attack Allied shipping in the Mediterranean, Gibraltar in particular.

There is nothing wrong with buying products from companies that have certain dubious associations (and there are many), as long as they have taken steps to end them, and remedy any damage arising. However, Panerai use the Gamma men in their current advertising, even going so far as to say that "history leaves a trace". It most certainly does, especially when that history involves trying to annihilate the country I live in. I am increasingly uncomfortable about buying a product from a company that celebrates its' links with an armed forces that played an active part in the Holocaust and the mass murder of tens of millions of people. Other companies also played roles, many of them bigger. However the difference for me is that those companies do not seem to be proud of it.

Any thoughts?