Panerai watches have been available through some of the leading watch retailers in Australia for years now. It was only a few months ago, Panerai visuals went up at 10/360 Collins Street and we knew straight away that something big was coming!! Shortly after the opening of IWC’s first boutique in Melbourne, Kennedy, one of Australia’s leading watch and jewellery retailers announced their second project; a Panerai boutique in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Collins Street.
Distinctively aligned with the concept by Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, (who also designed the New York, Milan, Hong Kong, London boutiques to name a few), the new boutique extends over an area of 60 square meters and will be the Florentine luxury watchmakers first boutique down under.
Patricia Urquiola, the celebrated Spanish architect and designer, has reinterpreted the aesthetic and technical codes of the watch house, respecting the identity of the brand with a timeless design: she has succeeded in respecting tradition with a look that is nonetheless modern and up-to-date, finding a genuine link between the past and the future.
As you enter, you’ll notice Panerai has played around with a lot of bronze, wood and marble; in sync with all their boutiques world wide. The space has a very contemporary edge but still references the Florentine roots and seafaring nature of the watch brand. The special undulating glass and brass lights references the marine world to which Panerai is so strongly associated with. The boutique also features a large Wall Clock, a large-scale version of Panerai’s iconic watch dial.
Two special external windows at the corners, which look onto the distinguished street, are entirely made of a groovy glass, used by the architect for the first time as external element.
The new boutique is located at 10/360 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000