With each passing second, history and victory are written and rewritten over and over, from intense competitions to perilous missions, a thin line straddles success and failure. Panerai strives to be the perfect companion as one embarks on adventure and challenges, typified by their commitment to precision and performance as they reaffirm their role in the sphere of elapsed timekeeping with the Panerai Luminor Chrono.
With roots that date back to 1860, Panerai is a watchmaker rich in history and heritage as it is in innovation. The Panerai watches we see today, renowned for their cutting edge materials and precise calibres, are a testament to the early day trailblazing exploits of the watch manufacture. That can be said for the Panerai Luminor Chrono that shares 152 years of collective history between the two individual Luminor and Chronograph entities.
In the universe of Panerai, the Luminor is, in many ways, the unequivocal essence of Panerai. The name was first coined on 11 January 1949 when the patent filed by Panerai for its luminescent and self-luminescent materials was approved. Its ubiquity amongst Panerai watches grew gradually and by the convention of use, it soon became a common identifier for Panerai watches characterised by the iconic Safety Lock crown protection device. The Chronograph on the other hand dates back slightly further to 1943 as the prototypal Mare Nostrum chronograph project signalled Panerai’s venture into chronographs. What was originally intended to serve deck officers of the Italian Navy never made it past the prototype stage, only for them to be preserved in the Panerai museum. Nevertheless, it became the bedrock for future chronograph calibres which paved the way for the Panerai Luminor Chrono.
The Panerai Luminor Chronos of today are positioned at the very pinnacle of chronograph making with modern-day interpretations. With dimensions measuring 44mm across, they are made to be everyday companions instead of being restricted solely to sports. As with all other Panerai chronographs, the pushers are purposefully positioned on the left side of the case making it an excellent differentiator against its counterparts. Panerai’s automatic calibre P.9200 is responsible for powering the Panerai Luminor Chronos seen here.
Sporty Refinement
The Panerai Laboratorio di Idee, known for its cutting edge material innovations such as Fibratech and Carbotech, is responsible for developing Goldtech — the manufacture’s exclusive red gold alloy. With gold being the majority composition found in Goldtech, Panerai increased the percentage of copper (24%) within the alloy to impart an intense and unique reddish tone. Platinum (0.4%) is added into the mix as well to provide mechanical and oxidation resistance as well as a beautiful lustre. Granted blue is the perfect colour to complement red gold, Panerai outfits the PAM1111 with a satiné Soleil (sunburst) dial an intense blu notte (midnight blue) shade.
The Devil Is in the Details
As recognisable as it is unmistakable, the Safety Lock crown protection device is one of the hallmarks of the Panerai Luminor. The trademark registered innovation offers the watch two-pronged protection when engaged by enhancing its water resistance and preventing accidental knocks to the crown. Pulling the lever downwards releases the clamp-like grip allowing its owner to wind, set the time or date after. Another signature of Panerai watches is the sandwich dial structure visible from the cut-outs made to the Arabic numerals and hour indexes. The dial is made of two superimposed plates with the bottom plate covered with luminescent material (the original Luminor reference patented in January 1949) for low-light legibility. A final piece of detail is the light blue coloured chronograph central seconds hand and minute counter that distinguishes themselves from regular timekeeping and elapsed timekeeping functions.
Art Direction Asaph Low
Photography Ching
This article first appeared on Men’s Folio.
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