Panerai is synonymous with the sea. After all, the brand made its name producing maritime instruments for the Royal Italian Navy. These days, Panerai no longer makes instruments for the military, but it stays true to its oceanic roots as a partner to various yacht clubs and regattas around the world. In fact, in 2006, Panerai even bought the vintage boat Eilean and took it upon themselves to have her restored to her former glory. In addition, Panerai’s CEO, Angelo Bonati, is an avid sailor himself. 2017 is going to be a momentous year for Panerai as it will be the official partner for the 35th America’s Cup. The America’s Cup is not only one of the world’s oldest international sporting trophies, it is also arguably the most prestigious sailing competition. To mark the occasion, Panerai has just announced no fewer than five Special Edition watches, and here they are.
Add to this the fact that this being a normal tachymeter scale, any other unit of speed would work exactly the same. This could fire back though – that the Mare Nostrum has a patchy history, with hardly any documentation or real portions remaining from whichever age it actually belongs — and this may raise a few flags for the cautious, super-nerdy collector who really is pretty much exclusively aimed for.All this mentioned, it’s good to see Panerai do something out of the normal, leaving the Luminors and Radiomirs on the side for an instant and introducing a look so scarcely encountered from these — I would not be surprised (in fact I expect) the Panerai is really testing the waters here, as I’d love to see more unusual and refreshing designs.
For those who are not entirely familiar with the America’s Cup, it is a series of races between two sailing yachts. The Defender is the yacht that currently holds the cup, the current Defender being Oracle Team USA on behalf of the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Since 1983, the right to challenge to Defender is determined by another competition called the Louis Vuitton Cup.
We begin with the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm (PAM727), which is also the official watch of the 35th America’s Cup. Paneristis (Panerai enthusiasts) would immediately notice the resemblance to the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm (PAM1312 and PAM312). We reviewed a similar piece here, though on a steel bracelet. The Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm also shares the same 44mm stainless steel 1950 style Luminor case and the self-winding P.9010 movement with the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm.
The key features that differentiate this Special Edition watch are the phrase “America’s Cup” printed in blue at 6 o’clock and the striking red seconds hand. What is also unique to the Panerai Watches Perth Replica Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm watch is the strap which is made out of natural untreated leather embossed with the logo of the America’s Cup, and is finished with contrasting red and blue stitching. Water resistance is a very adequate 300 meters. The Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio PAM 727 will have a price of US $8,100.
Panerai is also the official partner for Softbank Team Japan, who is one of teams that will be taking part in the Louis Vuitton Cup to determine the who will have the right to challenge Oracle Team USA. So it is fitting that this watch is the Panerai Watch 523 Replica Luminor Marina 1950 Softbank Team Japan 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44m (PAM732), created especially for Softbank Team Japan. Similar to the other watches, you’ll note small changes like white stitching on the strap that differentiate it.
The perfectly round bezel appears both elegant and masculine, although the cushion-shaped case with its tall profile (unlike the sloped 1950 version) and straight lugs works in brilliant harmony with it. The PAM561 has a fully polished case that’s not quite as striking as exteriors with alternating finishings may be: it is in fact a polished mass of steel without any sharp angles, complex corners and edges, or especially fascinating details everywhere. It is that your bog-standard Luminor case that is appealing as a complete and in a glance, but not for its selfishly complicated intricacies.Of the two minor details I’d nevertheless point out which go beyond mere proportions, first is the way the four corners of the middle case are curved downwards, which carries the borders of the corners away and leaves them better match the curved dial and bezel. The next is that the profile of the crown guard – not something many would look at. Its bottom side is completely flat to keep it as high above the wrist as possible (though at times, it does dig into the skin), while its upper part is tilted upwards, towards the wearer. This, you do not necessarily realize even when looking at the watch at a small angle, but it will add more sophistication to this over-60-year-old military design.Speaking of this component, oddly enough, Panerai decided to bring a totally satin-finished crown shield on the completely polished instance. This isn’t something that could stand out instantly at first appearance, but once seen wasn’t something I could quite get used to within the few weeks with the Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio PAM561. This decorative element is sort of like an exaggerated take on alternating finishing. I will state that, from afar, I found it maybe adds a higher quality appearance than what the PAM561 could have had with a polished crown guard to go with the reflective case. It is not a maker or breaker of this aesthetics but instead something I believe is a bit strange at first, but ultimately, justified.
Based on the popular Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Acciaio 44mm, the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 Softbank Team Japan 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44m differentiates itself from the standard model with the phrase “America’s Cup” in blue at 6 o’clock and its red running seconds hand. Again, inside beats the self-winding Panerai P.9010, which offers 3 days of power reserve. Water resistance is 300 meters.
The big difference between the previous model and this one is the different engraved case back. In this watch, the case back has been engraved with the official logo of Softbank Team Japan. In addition, the strap, which is black leather, has contrast stitching in red and white, the official colors of Japan. Price for the Panerai Watches 8 Days Replica Luminor Marina 1950 Softbank Team Japan 3 Days Automatic Acciaio PAM 732 US $8,100.
Next up, we have three watches specially created by Panerai for Oracle Team USA. Panerai is also the official partner of Oracle Team USA, the Defender of the 35th America’s Cup.
The first watch for Oracle Team USA is the Panerai Watches On Sale Replica Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica 44mm (PAM725). This watch features a 44mm-wide Luminor 1950-style case made out of black ceramic, and features Panerai’s P.9100 calibre. The P.9100 calibre has a flyback chronograph mechanism and features a column-wheel with vertical clutch construction. Water resistance is 100 meters, and power reserve is 3 days.
The Panerai Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica’s case back features an engraving of the logo of Oracle Team USA, and it also carries over the red and blue color scheme found in the aforementioned Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm watch.
The chronograph minutes and seconds hands are positioned centrally to ensure utmost legibility, and the chronograph seconds hand is blue while the minutes hand is red. There are a further two sub-dials, one at 9 o’clock for the running seconds, which has a blue hand; and the other at 3 o’clock that records the elapsed hours, which has a red hand. The case back features an engraving of the logo of Oracle Team USA, and the strap is black untreated leather with contrasting red and blue stitching. Price for the Panerai Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica PAM 725 is US $15,300.
The next watch is the Panerai Watches Malaysia Price Replica Luminor 1950 Regatta Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio 47mm (PAM726). Again, the name tells you much of what you need to know about the watch. If not, you can read our coverage of the original model here. It comes in Panerai’s larger 47mm Luminor 1950 style case, constructed from titanium, and has a flyback chronograph fitted with a Regatta countdown mechanism. Water resistance is also 100 meters.
The perfectly curved bezel appears equally elegant and masculine, while the cushion-shaped situation with its tall profile (unlike the sloped 1950 version) and straight lugs works in brilliant harmony with it. The PAM561 includes a fully polished case which is not quite as impressive as exteriors with switching finishings may be: it’s is in fact a polished mass of steel with no sharp angles, complex corners and borders, or particularly fascinating details everywhere. It is that your bog-standard Luminor case that’s appealing as a whole and at a glance, but maybe not for its selfishly complicated intricacies.Of the two minor details I would still point out which go beyond mere proportions, first is how the four corners of the midst instance are curved downwards, which carries the edges of the corners away and makes them better match the curved dial and bezel. The next is the profile of this crown guard – not something many would look at. Its underside side is totally flat to keep it high over the wrist as possible (though occasionally, it does dig into the skin), although its upper part is angled upward, towards the wearer. This, you don’t necessarily realize even when looking at the watch at a small angle, but it will add more sophistication to this over-60-year-old military design.Speaking of the part, strangely enough, Panerai Watches Nz Replica decided to bring a fully satin-finished crown shield on the completely glossy instance. This is not something which could stand out instantly at first look, but once spotted wasn’t something that I could quite get used to over the few weeks with all the Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio PAM561. This decorative element is kind of like an exaggerated spin on alternating finishing. I’ll state that, from afar, I discovered it possibly adds a more quality look than what the PAM561 could have had with a polished crown shield to decide on the reflective case. It is not a maker or breaker of the aesthetics but rather something I believe is a bit odd at first, but ultimately, justified.
The movement is the P.9100/R and the Regatta countdown mechanism can be activated by the pusher at 4 o’clock. Pressing on it causes the central chronograph minute hand to move back in one-minute jumps, allowing it to be set to the correct countdown position for the race.
Like the other watches seen so far, the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio 47mm has an attractive red and blue color scheme. To ensure legibility, the central chronograph seconds hand is rendered in blue while the central minutes hand is red. At 9 o’clock is a sub-dial for the running seconds, which has a blue hand; and at 3 o’clock we have the sub-dial recording the elapsed hours, and this has a red hand. Again, the strap is black untreated leather and features contrasting red and blue stitching. Price for the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio is US $17,900.
If you want this motion and case dimensions but with classic styling, then the PAM590 is the choice, but the P.5000 comes at the 45mm Radiomir case for the exact same cost (CHF 5,700). All this is to say you’ve got an unusually large number of choice choices to the PAM561 which makes it easier (or more difficult?) To find one which matches your preference more. Add to the the innumerable strap choices and you do get a ton of variations — maybe a few too many, even.Overall, the Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio PAM561 is a fun, maybe exciting watch at the Panerai Luminor secure and I would not mind wearing for a much more extended period of time. This mentioned, I don’t believe it has everything going for it to be a keeper, more like a refreshing addition that you wear and then market to move onto another Panerai that tickles your fancy — since that is often how it functions, which is not always a bad thing.The utilization of materials in innovative and beneficial ways is your current “space race” in modern mechanical watches, also Panerai wishes to show that it’s no slouch in this arena. In fact, the brand claims that this decrease of friction should allow the movement to be “guaranteed for 50 years” due to the fact that it does not require lubrication. I’ll get into the details of it a little bit more, but it’s a fascinating development that just 50 people will be able to enjoy for today, because that is the number of bits which are going to be reached within this limited edition run.The Panerai LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days PAM 700 watch can create its own 50-year promise because of four inventions used in the new P.3001/C Calibre movement. The first of these innovations is that the use of dry lubricated barrels, in which both mainspring barrels possess a multi-layer coating with a final coating of DLC. Then, there’s the silicon escapement which is predominantly made from silicon and features an uppermost coating of DLC.
The last Oracle Team USA watch is the Panerai Watches Pre Owned Replica Luminor Marina Oracle Team USA 8 days Acciaio 44mm (PAM724), which is clearly based on Panerai’s extremely popular Luminor Marina 8 Days Acciaio (PAM510), but with some subtle changes. For example, there’s the phrase “America’s Cup” in blue at 6 o’clock, and the running seconds hand is also rendered in blue.
This is definitely the most stripped-down view in Panerai’s current collection and it also signifies the entry level cost into the world of Panerai in-house moves. It is actually a rather new motion — that the caliber P.5000 was released just a couple of decades ago and back in 2013, HODINKEE founder Ben Clymer took a peek at the watch where it was released: the PAM 510, that has a seconds sub-dial at the 9:00 position. The PAM 560 is newer than the motion — we watched it for the first time at the 2014 variant of this SIHH, and also the impression we have is that it is a part of a general movement across the board to produce all Panerai watches powered by in-house movements. We haven’t spent an enormous quantity of time together with Panerais actually on the wrist here at HODINKEE, but the firm’s increasing reliance on Panerai-made movements made us curious to find out what kind of an impression that the PAM 560 makes in person.It is not the biggest Panerai (after all, there’s the 52 mm Mare Nostrum) at 44 mm in diameter. It is water resistant to 300 meters, and there is sapphire front and rear so that you can observe caliber P.5000 in the office. The very thick strap is held in place by screwed-in bars and the buckle is very much a no-nonsense affair, using a curved, wide pin that just happens to replicate the form of the lever that holds the crown set up (whether deliberate, or serendipitous, it is a very wonderful touch). That combination crown-guard/locking system, as well as the utterly uncluttered “sandwich” dial, is what makes the Luminor instantly identifiable.
Should you desire this movement and case dimensions but with vintage styling, then the PAM590 is the pick, but the P.5000 also comes in the 45mm Radiomir case for the same cost (CHF 5,700). All this is to say that you’ve got an unusually large number of choice options to the PAM561 making it easier (or more difficult?) To find one which matches your taste more. Add to this the countless strap choices and you do have a ton of variants — perhaps a few too many, even.Overall, the Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio PAM561 is a fun, if not exciting watch in the Panerai Luminor stable and one I wouldn’t mind wearing for a much more extended period of time. This noted, I don’t think it’s everything going for it to be a keeper, more like a refreshing addition that you wear and then sell to move onto another Panerai that tickles your fancy — because that is often how it functions, which is not necessarily a bad thing.The use of materials in innovative and beneficial ways is your current “space race” in modern mechanical watches, and Panerai wants to demonstrate that it is no slouch in this arena. In fact, the brand asserts that this decrease of friction should permit the movement to be “guaranteed for 50 years” due to the fact it doesn’t require lubrication. I will get into the particulars of it a little bit more, but it is a interesting development that just 50 people will get to enjoy for now, because that is the variety of bits which will be reached in this limited edition run.The Panerai LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days PAM 700 watch can create its 50-year promise because of four innovations utilized in the new P.3001/C Calibre motion. The first of those innovations is the use of sterile lubricated barrels, in which the two mainspring barrels possess a multi-layer coating using a last layer of DLC. Then, there’s the silicon escapement that’s predominantly made of silicon and features an uppermost coating of DLC.
Like the rest of the Oracle Team USA watches, the case back features the engraved team logo of Oracle Team USA. But unlike the other two Oracle Team USA watches, the Panerai Luminor Marina Oracle Team USA 8 days Acciaio 44mm has a water resistance of 300 meters.
As far as background goes, in its earliest days Panerai had used 8-day power book watches powered by Angelus moves. This was to fulfill military requirements in an effort to make the watches more reliable over a longer period of time and also, reportedly, to not demand constant adjustment of their time and rewinding of the movement, rescuing the crown gaskets from premature wear.Speaking of that, I entrusted it to get you men out of curiosity: it requires about one minute and 45 minutes to fully end a stop motion – and boy, is that a good deal of twisting! Winding is not one of those pleasurable experiences the PAM561 can offer, either. As the crown barely extends over the plane of the concave top of the crown guard, you need to let go and catch hold of this crown countless times while the sharp edge of the guard itself along with the coined border of the crown create things a bit less comfortable.The motion itself is in line with Panerai manufacture grade aesthetics: it is rocky first, intriguing second, and lovely third. It is one of the very rugged-looking calibers out there, with only one enormous plate covering the gear train and the two barrels, and one bridge that retains the balance wheel protected. Revealed is a huge – and I do mean huge – third wheel that’s secured by a skeletonized bridge. Deep underneath it, close to the barrel, is the center wheel while nearer to the balance wheel, and again deep in the guts of the motion, is the wheel and the escapement.The equilibrium wheel itself is of a free-sprung structure, meaning its precision is adjusted through the more old-school and clearly more elegant way of variable moment of inertia screws at the periphery of the balance wheel. Panerai explains the bridge behind the equilibrium is fixed by two screws under that are threaded rings which turn in both directions. The purpose of this is to adjust the “end-shake” of this equilibrium staff pivots. This technical solution assists the escapement to continue running more smoothly in the event of shocks.
It is also the only watch in this series that is wound by hand. The movement inside is the P.5000, which features two barrels that offer a whopping 192 hours, or 8 days, of power reserve. One of the more subtle America’s Cup models, the touches of blue on the dial look very cool in the press images, but I can’t wait to see real photos of the watch in action. Price for the Panerai Luminor Marina ORACLE TEAM USA 8 Days Acciaio is US $7,100.
Obviously, these five watches will appeal most to Paneristis who are fans of the America’s Cup. But since they are also variations of some of Panerai’s most popular watches, I think they could also be interesting alternatives to people who are looking to get a Panerai that is a little more exclusive. Speaking of special, remember that these are all Special Edition watches and will be limited to very small numbers. panerai.com
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