[Wolfdog]

My first thought as well was a "WOW!!!".

And this device looks very much like one I'd used when making flanges and couplings for aircraft, called an "Optical Comparator", but this one is far more high-tech than the multi-thousand dollar tools I had used.

Absolutely astounding factory and equipment used, makes me wish I had gone into this field when I was young enough to still do the work.
Thanks for the virtual tour!

 

[Sukispop]

Wow, what a fascinating and informative virtual tour! :thumbup:

John, thanks for the great photo journal tour! Your photos, as always, are superb, and I almost felt like I had taken the tour along side you!

Thanks to Wolfdog, for mentioning this tour over in the Ball forum. I would never have known about this, otherwise...thanks! :thumbup1:

 

[JBHII]

Wow, what a fascinating and informative virtual tour! :thumbup:

John, thanks for the great photo journal tour! Your photos, as always, are superb, and I almost felt like I had taken the tour along side you!

Thanks to Wolfdog, for mentioning this tour over in the Ball forum. I would never have known about this, otherwise...thanks! :thumbup1:

Someone hasn't been paying attention to the WTF Newsletters! :scared:

I've done factory tour posts to several factories including various Seiko factories in Japan, Lange, G.O., and even a tour of the Patek Museum in Geneva. :thumbup1:

 

[iceheller]

Looks like their production capability is far beyond the 40000 annually as they stated. I bet they can easily hit half a mil watch easily. So when would BALL invite Mr John to the swiss facility. I belive BALL and Panerai are "neighbour".:thumbup1:

 

[JBHII]

Looks like their production capability is far beyond the 40000 annually as they stated. I bet they can easily hit half a mil watch easily. So when would BALL invite Mr John to the swiss facility. I belive BALL and Panerai are "neighbour".:thumbup1:

This is totally my bad. I completely forgot that Ball is also located in the same Swiss town - a walk of about 10 minutes separates the two. I actually stopped by Ball and "knocked on the door" - they let me in, but were (understandably) totally unprepared for me to take a tour. But yes, I stopped by.

 

[yuki]

:thumbup:Thanks John for sharing these great photoes!

 

[t20569cald]

I only have just seen this. I am very impressed, and great pictures, thanks!

 

[bob d]

Panerai Photo Tour...

...another wonderfully informative, interesting, and beautifully photographed offering from JH:

Thank you John, and if you need someone to carry your luggage for future factory tours, hey, what are friends for?
Bob

 

[Scottosan]

I noticed in pictures 7 and 8 the tech is holding a dial for a 253. that was a special edition for 2006
When did you take the tour? Was that dial from a watch being serviced?

 

[JBHII]

I noticed in pictures 7 and 8 the tech is holding a dial for a 253. that was a special edition for 2006
When did you take the tour? Was that dial from a watch being serviced?

I took the photos in May of 2009. I didn't ask about that particular watch, but your assumption is likely a sound one.

 

[ctzn]

Phenomenal, stunning pictorial, thanks for sharing!

 

[Garfed]

Thank you for your report on the facilities, the most we've never so much you visit or study. I imagine the existence of such facilities in Switzerland. Otherwise how could we have produced the best watch?

 

[cibertris]

just dicovered the thread.
Congratulations and thanks for show it.
Anyway is shocking for me to see how tradition goes into innovation with advanced technological devices yo control precision and resistance.
If we want it all,obviously we have to accept it.
just said:shocking...but stuck on it!

 

[Yande]

Was referred here from another respected Watch Forum.

Fantastic read, absolutely. Makes me want to hang around here for some more.

Well done with thanks

 

[JBHII]

Was referred here from another respected Watch Forum.

Fantastic read, absolutely. Makes me want to hang around here for some more.

Well done with thanks

Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated. :biggrin:

 

[HDHNTER]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Thanks for all of the effort that went into it. :thumbup1:

 

[JBHII]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Thanks for all of the effort that went into it. :thumbup1:

You are most welcome sir! :thumbup1:

 

[watchdaddy1]

Wow !!!

Awesome tour,& your photograhy skills r second to none.
Thank You John, what I would'nt give to be able to take a tour into OP Laboratorio Di Idee, most excellent thread I've seen in a long time.
Myself would be like a kid in a candy store.& people wonder why ALL the hype-PERFECT EXAMPLE WHY- Timepices w/ such great hisory & a destiny for sure.
Thanks for sharing. - 1 day

 

[JBHII]

Awesome tour,& your photograhy skills r second to none.
Thank You John, what I would'nt give to be able to take a tour into OP Laboratorio Di Idee, most excellent thread I've seen in a long time.
Myself would be like a kid in a candy store.& people wonder why ALL the hype-PERFECT EXAMPLE WHY- Timepices w/ such great hisory & a destiny for sure.
Thanks for sharing. - 1 day

It was indeed a great day - glad you enjoyed it! :biggrin:

 

[kudlum]

What a Dream!

Panerai organize tours to watch their factory?