Panerai’s Grande Complications: The Technical Finesse of The Italians

When people think of “Panerai”, they most certainly associate it with Italian flair and the Submersible – the characteristic diver’s watch with the crown protection bridge. But Panerai does Grande complications too. We present some highlights from the tinkerers in Neuchâtel.

Perpetual Calendar PAM0715

With the Luminor Perpetual Calendar, Officine Panerai offers a perpetual calendar that focuses on the most important information. Accordingly, only the day and date appear on the front. However, the Italian lettering “Calendario Perpetuo” reveals the complexity inside. The other displays are found on the back. The sapphire crystal back presents the month, leap year and even a digital year display.

The case measures 44 mm and has the classic cushion-shaped design. It is made of either the company’s own Platinumtech or Goldtech alloys. The dial, designed for clarity and simplicity, presents the essential elements – hours, minutes, day and date. There is a GMT hand that offers an additional time zone. The small seconds also serves as a day/night indicator.

The movement, manufactured by Panerai in Neuchatel, is self-winding thanks to a micro-rotor. Two barrels provide a power reserve of 72 hours. The fact that the day, date, month and leap year can be adjusted without tools or pushers simply by turning the crown is a further proof of the watchmakers’ expertise. This is even possible at the end of the month and at midnight.

The complication is available in the Luminor Calendario Perpetuo Goldtech (PAM0742) and Platinumtech (PAM0715) versions. There is also a variant with a transparent dial (PAM01269).

Minute Repeater PAM00600

The PAM00600 is for lovers of acoustic watch enjoyment. The Panerai complication features a double minute repeater that indicates the hours and minutes for two different time zones as a sequence of tones. The watchmakers install three gongs and three hammers for this purpose. The repeater can be set to local or home time using a pusher in the crown and can also be triggered manually.

The skeletonized dial features a 24-hour display at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. There is also a GMT hand for an additional time zone. The P.2005/MR movement integrates two barrels and offers a power reserve of 96 hours. A display on the back shows the remaining power reserve in days. The in-house tourbillon system with vertical rotation is also included.

Equation of Time PAM00920

The Panerai L’Astronomo, the Italian company’s technical flagship, is a tribute to Galileo Galilei. The inventor of the telescope is known for his discoveries in astronomy. Accordingly, the Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT 50 mm offers a wealth of celestial complications. The focus is on the equation of time: it indicates the difference between the actual time (solar time) and the generally accepted time.

The skeletonized front features the equation of time and the sunrise and sunset display. Also included are the month, polarized date and small seconds. As if that wasn’t enough, Panerai has also added a GMT hand. On the back, an artistic moon phase with 24-hour display awaits the wearer.

The case measures 50 mm to allow room for the mechanics. There is a choice of four case versions: titanium, titanium DLC, Goldtech and white gold. There is also a range of four different hand types to choose from.

The P.2005/GLS caliber also integrates a tourbillon that rotates the balance wheel perpendicular to its axis rather than around it. In addition, it only needs 30 seconds to rotate instead of the usual 60 seconds. Despite all the wealth of functions, the movement offers a power reserve of 4 days, which is visible on the back.

The Panerai complication offers a water resistance of 10 bar or 100 meters. The watch is only produced on customer request and personalized according to the coordinates of a selected location.

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