Panerai Boutique Opens on the Waterfront

By Stuart Wilson

The Kirkconnell group hosted the grand opening for their newest addition to their offerings on Harbour Drive, George Town, Grand Cayman on 5th February.

Panerai, a watch brand that has become synonymous with class and style, is now available exclusively at the new boutique in the Bayshore Mall.

Sales Associate Adam Erraji explained that Panerai was initially made only for the Italian Navy, adding that the company began producing watches for the public in 1996.

“It’s not just a watch but also a navigational tool,” he remarked.

Kirk Freeport Vice President, Chris Kirkconnell spoke with the Caymanian Times about the brand and what it means for Cayman to have such an illustrious and storied timepiece manufacturer here in the Cayman Islands.

“Panerai has been a partner of ours for a long time. We actually worked with Panerai before they became a part of the group that Cartier leads. They are a huge part of what we do and it’s a very interesting brand; very unique.

The quality and everything they stand for has always been something that Kirk freeport matches very well with,” he remarked.

“Being here and being able to open… this boutique with them, share a little bit of Italian heritage and the watchmaking know-how that they bring, it’s a very special moment for us,” he added. 

Panerai is an Italian watch with a Swiss movement, which is a rare combination in the watchmaking culture. Insiders say this is part of the reason why the brand has become such an interesting one for collectors.

“They have such a very niche following, and it becomes a part of people’s identity as individuals. We carried this brand back into the 90’s,” said Mr. Kirkconnell,

“We worked with them when they were an independent brand and it was Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone who were two of the pioneer celebrities that put Panerai on the map,” he explained.

The Kirkconnell Group have been innovators in Cayman’s retail industry for decades and representatives noted that being able to open a Panerai boutique in Grand Cayman when there are only a handful throughout the world, is a very special part of the company’s history.

“Being able to be an important partner and represent them in a way that we should means a lot to us,” noted the Kirkconnell Group VP, who also pointed out that within the next couple of months the Group will have Panerai, Rolex, Omega, Cartier and Patek all on the Waterfront of George Town in boutiques.

“You do not see this together like this so this is very special for us and for the world,” noted Mr. Kirkonnell.