Presented at the SIHH 2012 watch show in Geneva, new Panerai watches combine distinguished vintage style with the advanced in-house mechanisms. Once again, Panerai took the inspiration from its legendary historic models. Speaking about materials, there is nothing new. The Italian watchmaker just repeated the successful formula from the last year’s edition – ceramic, red gold or polished steel cases, brown leather straps and finally, black or brown dials – this is exactly what we expect from Panerai.

For the lovers of great complications, there is a new Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Ceramica 48mm watch (PAM 00396), with the innovative tourbillon regulator. This great complication is visible through a sapphire crystal case-back, together with some other parts of a P.2005 manufacture movement and a golden power-reserve indicator.

The hand-winding movement provides 6 days of power-reserve, thanks to three spring barrels connected in series. You will probably love the color of the casewhich has a matt black appearance, since it is made of synthetic ceramic based on zirconium powder. It has a great reputation as a very hard material, resistant to scratches, corrosive agents and high temperatures.

Another Luminor 1950 GMT (PAM 00441) comes with a ceramic case, this time in a smaller size, with the diameter of 44 mm. It is powered by an automatic Panerai P.9001 Calibre that provides 3 days of power-reserve. This model is available with a light brown leather strap. However, by combining a ceramic Luminor 1950 case with a classic Panerai bracelet, also crafted in ceramics, OP created a truly unique timepiece, called Tuttonero Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT Automatic Ceramica – 44 mm (00438).

Officine Panerai has created two Special Editions (500 pieces each) of Radiomir California 3 Days (PAM00448) and Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days (PAM00449) watches that are strongly connected with the brand’s models from the 1930s. Two historic dials reduced to essentials, with characteristic blue minute and hour hands are covered with Plexiglas instead of sapphire crystal, which is another recall of the past. These robust timepieces with 47 mm polished steel cases are powered with P.3000 Calibre hand-winding movements, executed entirely by Panerai.

Radiomir California 3 Days (PAM 00424) and Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days (PAM 00425) are new members of the brand’s Historic Collection. Directly inspired with the very first Radiomir models, created in 1936 to supply the Royal Italian Navy’s commandos, these great timepieces bring back authentic elements from the past. On each model, you will notice the characteristic steel cushion case, with the diameter of 47mm, the slender wire strap attachments, the conical crown and the dial with a minimalist style, especially designed to increase readability in extreme conditions.

A very original dial of the Radiomir California 3 Days, distinguished by the interesting combination of Arabic figures and Roman numerals, comes with the OP logo at the 6 o’clock position. The inscription CALIFORNIA is engraved on the flange at the 12 o’clock position. The name of the Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days watch refers to the Siluro a Lento Corsa (S.L.C.), the slow-speed torpedo, used by the Royal Italian Navy during its heroic underwater missions. A slow-speed torpedo is drawn on the dial at the 6 0’clock position, while the inscription S.L.C. is engraved on the flange, at the 12 o’clock position. Both models use hand-winding in-house P.3000 Calibers.

Radiomir 8 Day GMT Oro Rosso 45mm (PAM 00395) Special Edition watch is definitely one of my favorites. This stylish and luxurious piece of art takes a breath away with the beautiful design and nicely polished surfaces. Still, its inner work is even more fascinating. The watch is powered by the original and highly sophisticated version of the P.2002 movement, with nicely skeletonized bridges and barrels, visible through the large sapphire crystal case-back. Taking great care about every single detail, the renowned watchmaker achieved a beautiful harmony among the case, the dial and the movement.

Two new Special Editions under the name Radiomir 1940 (produced in the limited series of 100 units each) – a polished stainless steel version (PAM00399) with a black dial and Radiomir 1940 Oro Rosso (PAM00398) made of red gold with a brown dial, are presented for the first time in a special Panerai case of vintage inspiration. Like some historic Radiomirs from the 1940s, these timepieces have distinctive cases with strap attachments made of the same block of steel as the case, instead of being made of steel wires. Each Radiomir 1940 watch is powered by an OPXVII hand-winding movement on a Minerva base which is visible through the transparent back of the case.

Finally, Panerai launched Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days (PAM 422) and Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Power Reserve (PAM 423) watches, inspired by the rare historic watch from the 1940s that presented a stage of transformation from the classic Radiomir cushion case to the Luminor case. Both versions are powered by new P.3001 and P.3002 manufacture calibers – very similar hand-winding mechanisms with different positions of their power-reserve indicators.



