I had a similar experience this weekend. I went to the mall and went into the Bailey Banks and Biddle store to see if they happened to have any chrono PO in stock so I could drool. I was wearing my EL PAM111 and didn't think much about it because every place I've been before no one even knew the brand. Anyway, they didn't have the chrono PO in stock (just the regular ones) and I went over to see the Santos chrono they had in stock. A sales person behind another one of the counters asked me if that was a Panerai and I said yes it was, she said it was a very nice watch and I thanked her and after finishing looking at the Cartier walked out. Usually I take it off for them to look at, but I was in a little of a hurry, so not this time. It would have been fun to let her handle it because she actually knew the brand. I don't think I would have worn it into a Panerai AD, I'm not that brave, unless I know the salesperson really well.