Hi Dean, I also can confirm that the Italian mail system has wide improvement margin for the accuracy and timeliness of their track&trace feature - here I'm trying to put it very mildly and be corteous to them more than it'd be the fair share...
I one shipped a watch to Spain with them upon the buyer's explicit request (I'd have chosen DHL or UPS) and - lo and behold! - the item was much slower than expected to arrive, and the tracking info update even slower.
So don't give up (yet): I keep my fingers crossed for you mate!
Cheers,
Fabrizio