Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Panerai may improperly void or restrict warranty coverage when owners have their watches serviced or repaired by independent watchmakers.
Panerai currently states that its watches receive a two-year manufacturing warranty and that repairs or servicing performed by third parties not authorized by Panerai “would automatically invalidate your warranty.” Pasted markdown
Federal warranty law generally restricts manufacturers from conditioning warranty coverage on consumers using only authorized service providers or branded parts, unless the required service or part is provided free or another exception applies. A manufacturer may generally exclude damage actually caused by unauthorized service, but that is different from automatically voiding the entire remaining warranty simply because an independent repairer worked on the product. Pasted markdown
This issue may be especially important for Panerai owners who registered for extended PAM.GUARD warranty coverage and still had years of warranty protection remaining when they needed routine service, adjustment, or repair.
Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether Panerai owners paid higher authorized-service prices because they believed independent service would void their warranty, or whether otherwise-covered warranty claims were later denied because an independent watchmaker had previously opened or serviced the watch.
Owners May Have Experienced:
- Being told that independent service would automatically void the remaining Panerai warranty;
- Choosing Panerai or an authorized service center instead of a less expensive independent watchmaker;
- Paying more for routine service in order to preserve warranty coverage;
- Having an unrelated warranty claim denied because an independent watchmaker previously serviced or opened the watch;
- Being told that the entire remaining warranty was invalid despite the independent repair causing no damage; or
- Losing years of PAM.GUARD coverage following independent service.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act;
- Improper warranty tying restrictions;
- Breach of warranty;
- Unfair or deceptive trade practices;
- Recovery of excess authorized-service costs; and
- Recovery of repair expenses associated with denied warranty claims.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You purchased a Panerai watch with factory or PAM.GUARD warranty coverage;
- An independent watchmaker opened, serviced, regulated, repaired, or otherwise worked on your watch;
- Panerai told you that independent service voided the remaining warranty;
- You paid Panerai or an authorized center more than an independent watchmaker would have charged;
- Panerai later refused warranty coverage because of prior independent service; or
- You have service estimates, denial emails, warranty documents, or repair records relating to the issue.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.