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Travelller · 13 September 2013, 09:13 AM

As some of you have gleaned from the 'net, I recently enjoyed a very special weekend in Firenze

Since I was there for a GTG and had little free time on my hands, I did more window-shopping than shopping. I saw a lot of nice store-windows / displays in Firenze, from pastries to top-fashion clothing and naturally, watches...

Being a confirmed Panerai fan, I'm sure you would expect me to say that this was the most impressive window...

...and it certainly was impressive, seeing as they managed to keep the original [look of] windows / frames / door - very much in the traditional Firenze-style. But the "display" itself... ? Not bad, not bad... but quite the standard Panerai setup seen in any top AD... .

The location of the main Panerai boutique is situated on Piazza San Giovanni...
...not too far away is the famous Ponte Vecchio...

...which is literally covered in little jewelry stores...

Yes, Rolex has a mini-boutique on that bridge, with it's classic, reserved window-displays (well stocked, I might add

)

But then I saw this ominous-looking, dark little place on the bridge... I couldn't help but be drawn to the darkness - such a contrast from the Victorian look of the Rolex boutique...

..and this is what I saw...

Wow. I've always done a double-take whenever I saw a U-Boat, but they never managed to do more than that; this time around, I was pretty impressed, so much so I had to have another look...

and another...

Wow!
While there are a few white specs of dust on the crystal, the rest is part of the seemingly-corroded dial which is the look U-Boated wanted for this limited edition (99 pieces, I believe).

Hell, even their regular fare looked über-good in their display...

Not bad, Mr. Fontana, not bad. The window was certainly enough to draw me in and have a nice chat with the seller. Nice guy! He told me that the boutique had only been their some months and the L.E. U-42 in the window even less than that. After complimenting him on the boutique and window, I left with a catalog.

Just as I was heading out, one last watch caught my attention...

Took a closer look.... damn!

But I walked away, telling myself I was here to celebrate Panerai and not to mess around with other Firenze goodies... . Yes, U-Boat is a far cry from Rolex, even from Panerai, but I'd certainly have no problem wearing that three-hand L.E. 47mm U-42 on my wrist...

Hairdude1 · 13 September 2013, 11:12 AM

Awesome pics!!! Thanks for this

nick c · 13 September 2013, 12:22 PM

Very nice pics thanks for sharing

Time Collector · 13 September 2013, 12:28 PM

Nice Pictures Travelller, you put my photo skills to shame.

Cru Jones · 13 September 2013, 05:40 PM

great pix, thanks, serge.

i'm not 100% convinced by that u-boat's purposely corroded dial, but, your picture and the display are both very cool.

kilyung · 13 September 2013, 11:06 PM

Cool. Like the photos if not the watches.

nauticajoe · 14 September 2013, 12:22 AM

Nice pics!

Presa canary · 14 September 2013, 12:56 AM

Great pics. I've never been a huge fan of uboats but that one is pretty mean looking...

13 September 2013, 09:13 AM	#1
Travelller 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: VIE Watch: my sig. ;) Posts: 3,066	OT: Best-dressed window in Firenze... As some of you have gleaned from the 'net, I recently enjoyed a very special weekend in Firenze Since I was there for a GTG and had little free time on my hands, I did more window-shopping than shopping. I saw a lot of nice store-windows / displays in Firenze, from pastries to top-fashion clothing and naturally, watches... Being a confirmed Panerai fan, I'm sure you would expect me to say that this was the most impressive window... ...and it certainly was impressive, seeing as they managed to keep the original [look of] windows / frames / door - very much in the traditional Firenze-style. But the "display" itself... ? Not bad, not bad... but quite the standard Panerai setup seen in any top AD... . The location of the main Panerai boutique is situated on Piazza San Giovanni... ...not too far away is the famous Ponte Vecchio... ...which is literally covered in little jewelry stores... Yes, Rolex has a mini-boutique on that bridge, with it's classic, reserved window-displays (well stocked, I might add ) But then I saw this ominous-looking, dark little place on the bridge... I couldn't help but be drawn to the darkness - such a contrast from the Victorian look of the Rolex boutique... ..and this is what I saw... Wow. I've always done a double-take whenever I saw a U-Boat, but they never managed to do more than that; this time around, I was pretty impressed, so much so I had to have another look... and another... Wow! While there are a few white specs of dust on the crystal, the rest is part of the seemingly-corroded dial which is the look U-Boated wanted for this limited edition (99 pieces, I believe). Hell, even their regular fare looked über-good in their display... Not bad, Mr. Fontana, not bad. The window was certainly enough to draw me in and have a nice chat with the seller. Nice guy! He told me that the boutique had only been their some months and the L.E. U-42 in the window even less than that. After complimenting him on the boutique and window, I left with a catalog. Just as I was heading out, one last watch caught my attention... Took a closer look.... damn! But I walked away, telling myself I was here to celebrate Panerai and not to mess around with other Firenze goodies... . Yes, U-Boat is a far cry from Rolex, even from Panerai, but I'd certainly have no problem wearing that three-hand L.E. 47mm U-42 on my wrist... __________________ Traveller - Genève * Melbourne * Miami * Wien Breitling AVI 765r Navitimer 806r Omega 3572.50 SM300MC Speedy Tuesday Caliber 321 Panerai 111 217 233 Rolex 16600 126600 Seiko SBGA125 SBDX001 SLA017 SLA025 SLA033 Tudor 5B GMT Zénith A386ME Other Mühle Glashütte S.A.R. Flieger Chronoswiss Tora

13 September 2013, 12:28 PM	#4
Time Collector "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Anthony Location: California Watch: Rolex/AP/Panerai Posts: 1,641	Nice Pictures Travelller, you put my photo skills to shame. __________________ "You can never buy back Time, so spend it wisely."

13 September 2013, 11:12 AM	#2
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Awesome pics!!! Thanks for this

13 September 2013, 12:22 PM	#3
nick c Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 26,846	Very nice pics thanks for sharing

13 September 2013, 05:40 PM	#5
Cru Jones 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 34,499	great pix, thanks, serge. i'm not 100% convinced by that u-boat's purposely corroded dial, but, your picture and the display are both very cool.

13 September 2013, 11:06 PM	#6
kilyung 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,870	Cool. Like the photos if not the watches.

14 September 2013, 12:22 AM	#7
nauticajoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: PA Posts: 14,774	Nice pics!

14 September 2013, 12:56 AM	#8
Presa canary "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Justin Location: Pa Watch: Explorer ii Posts: 3,151	Great pics. I've never been a huge fan of uboats but that one is pretty mean looking...

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