Panton Classic versus Panton Chair

Here’s an interesting article found on the blog of New York-based Danish Design Store, about the difference between the Panton Classic and the Panton chair:

“Why does the Panton Classic Chair cost over five times as much as the similar-looking Panton Chair?
The answer lies in the Panton Classic’s material, finish, and history.

Serial production of the Panton Chair began in 1967. The one-piece plastic chair was regarded as a sensation and received numerous awards. The Panton Chair is recognised as a classic of modern furniture design: one of the first models belongs to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Panton Chair, on the other hand, has only been in production since 1999, when Vitra engineered a method to replicate the flawless construction of the Classic using a less expensive material. The Panton Chair is constructed from a single mold of plastic in a matte finish. Vitra treated these chairs with a special additive to fight UV rays, which makes it suitable for outdoor use, as well.

To cut a long story short: Panton Classic = Verner’s original masterpiece; Panton Chair = affordable reproduction.”

Good to know, right?

Photos: Danish Design Store