Panton Classic Chairs

Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a few people ask:

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.

The Panton Classic is Verner Panton’s original chair, which he designed for Vitra in 1967. Panton designed the Classic Chair with a hard foam plastic shell that features vibrant colors in a high-gloss lacquered paint. Since it is a high-design piece, Panton Classic is only suitable for indoor use.

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.

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

Panton Classic in red glossy finish

Panton Chair in red matte finish

Panton Classic

Panton Chairs