Hello, China - Panerai Introduced Two Special Editions for Hong Kong and Shanghai

Facing the rising "Asian Power", especially the insatiate Hong Kong and Chinese market, smart businessmen won't still hold their position and don't adopt any action, so is Panerai. Recently, Panerai added another two cities to their City Special Edition collection, they came from China, one was Hong Kong and the other was Shanghai.

In 2010, Panerai published two Special Editions to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its retailer King Fook Jewellery Group, one Special Edition looked like the same as the Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT, the symbol that distinguished it from other watches was engraved on the case back, it was the logo of King Fook Jewellery Group. This year, the case back of the Hong Kong Special Edition was engraved with Hong Kong's Bank of China. Perhaps the collectors have noticed that the watch didn't bring too much surprise: the diameter was 44mm, hour markers, small seconds subdial, hour and minute hands, as well as the date font, they were all coated with light brown SuperLumiNova. The watch equipped with P.2003 automatic movement and vintage leather strap. Only 30 pieces were available.

The Front of PAM 402 Was the Same as the Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT

The Case Back of PAM 402 Was Engraved with Bank of China

Different to Hong Kong Special Edition, the first Shanghai Special Edition was designed on the basis of Radiomir 8 Days. The watch was 45mm in case diameter and featured a black Sandwich Dial, all the elements on the dial were coated with light brown SuperLumiNova. PAM 412 Shanghai Special Edition was also fitted with vintage leather strap, the P.2002/3 manual-winding movement was entirely manufactured by Neuchâtel factory of Officine Panerai. The case back of PAM 412 was engraved with Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a special gift dedicated to Shanghai.

The other two Special Edition which Panerai made for Hong Kong and Shanghai adopted Luminor Marina case and 44mm in diameter. The only difference was that the case back was engraved with skylines of each city. The two watches featured classic black dial, stick and Arabic hour markers, as well as the hands and the printings on the dial all coated with light brown SuperLumiNova. Besides the "LUMINOR MARINA" and "PANERAI" words, the dial was also decorated with a torpedo: the frogmen of Italian Royal Navy exactly wore this watch while implementing the historic missions, this glorious history had been well-known all over the world before Panerai's cooperation with Stallone and Ferrari. OP II manual-winding movement was equipped in them. Hong Kong Special Edition was published in a limited number of 200, while the Shanghai's was 150.

As the people across Asia have a growing interest in the wrist watches, in future, maybe there will be more and more famous brands, such as Panerai, Breitling and others to publish special editions for Asian cities.

Specifications of Hong Kong Special Edition PAM 402

Case: Polished Steel, 44mm in diameter

Bezel: Brushed Steel

Crystal: Sapphire, 2mm thick

Dial: Black Sandwich

Case Back: Solid steel, engraved with Hong Kong's Bank of China

Movement: Calibre P.2003

Strap: Brown Leather

Reference: PAM 402

Specifications of Shanghai Special Edition PAM 420

Case: Polished Steel, 44mm in diameter

Bezel: Polished Steel

Crystal: Sapphire, 3.5mm thick

Dial: Black

Case Back: Solid Steel

Movement: Calibre OP II

Strap: Brown Leather

Reference: PAM 420

PAM00372 Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days 47mm

Luminor 1950 3 Days 47mm first used a transitional classic case, which not only had the classic features of Luminor case, but also inherited Radiomir's cushion shape.

Specifications

Functions: Hours, minutes

Case: Polished steel, 47mm in diameter

Bezel: Polished steel

Case Back: Sapphire crystal, see-through

Crown Guard: Stainless steel, satin-finished(Panerai patent)

Dial: Black dial, luminous Arabic and stick hour markers

Crystal: Plexiglass, 3mm thick

Water Resistance: 10 metres

Strap: Brown leather strap with large satin-finished steel buckle, which was engraved with "PANERAI" letters, a steel screwdriver and a spare strap would be attached.

Reference: PAM00372

Movement: P.3000 manual winding movement, which was entirely manufactured by Panerai, 16½ lignes in diameter, 5.3mm thick, 21 jewels, 21,600 alternations per hour, 3 days power reserve, Glucydur balance wheel, Incabloc shock absorber, two barrels, 160 components.

Panerai - The Military Spirit of Italian Navy

Founder: Giovanni Panerai

Year: 1860

Where: Florence, Italy

Wrist watch produced by Panerai with exquisite craft, strong military spirit and the distinctive style has been out of the limitations of military watch, became the grade quality timepieces sought by collectors, but also became pioneer of big watch fashion.

History of Panerai is unique, both hidden and terrifying, every Italian, and even the Europeans will be interested. Almost every watch emphasize their long-standing history, and how excellent the production process. But people who worn Panerai, not those royal family and nobles, but highlighted the danger of hero.
The journey of Panerai Watches and clocks manufacturing began at opening stores in the early 20th century Florence, Italy, but until 1938, the company began manufacturing the first watch. The watch uses Rolex movement, it is created specifically for the secret Department of the Navy design in Italian. In the second half of the 19th century, the company already became the supplier of the Italian Royal Navy to provide precision timing instruments.

The professional production makes the name of Panerai and sailing are inseparable, because of its specialized military purposes, Panerai measurements of space and time, quality and safety requirements are higher than general standards. Panerai company products for the Navy for torpedo launchers, including fluorescent mechanical calculator, scope, depth measuring instruments, compass, timer and underwater explosive. Through the accumulation of technology in this area, Panerai successfully build out a professional underwater watch for military, in fact, this is the first special waterproof watch used by diving forces.

Oversized dial and simple design created under the military background, welcome the trend of sports fashion today, special crown design makes the brand to accurately demonstrate in the low-key, small production is in line with the modern pursuit of individual characteristics. Today, if there are modern popular watch brands having full fever fashion seekers, that should be Panerai; If there are modern watch brand with the military watch demeanor and real pragmatists, that should be Panerai; If there are modern watch brands truly for men to wear, and can really show the masculine and masculinity but not too exaggerated and introverted, that also should be Panerai.
 
With design inspiration from the sea, Panerai brand for sports and leisure areas of high-grade watch. The Italian design style and the Swiss technical expertise, so that each watch has a distinctive brand of style and excellent quality.

Since the mid-19th century, after Panerai produced in Florence, this brand has been a representative of the military watch. You will understand why it is endurance just from the huge shape, the case design of Panerai is the most unique, the watchcase which seems square but round with a huge table to protect the device, making the whole looks like a rare flat oval which is very attractive.

Once Panerai was as the military secrets, and now position the brand for sports, leisure field of luxury watches. Panerai explain the art of time by the original method with the creative talent and enthusiasm for the process, and give the soul of sensibility for the daily use watch with the progress of design and using of outstanding materials. Every Panerai watch is integrated into advanced skills and knowledge of craftsmen, which is accompanied by coordinated and persistent feature, that is a symbol of senior watchmaking craft.

Panerai annual yield is very low, a total of not more than 3 million, but it is very famous for collectors. The annual output of Panerai has been controlled well, it is always a little more than the previous year, but always less than demand. If a retailer orders a certain number of a certain style, Panerai never completely supply them. Only after selling a watch, Panerai provide another one. In this case, the distribution of Panerai always remain "clean", there is no gray or secondary market. Panerai has 50 retailers in the United States and Canada, but Rolex has 800.

In the eyes of Panerai, great meaning of watch is on behalf of a person's philosophy and view of life, simple is the philosophy of life which is promoted by Italian brand. Panerai has always believed that there is beauty in the simple and existence of a real content. Although there are many complex parts inside the watch, but for users, it has to make them feel simple, easy and straightforward. Panerai surely reflect this idea. Take the appearance of Panerai as an example: People can always recognize Panerai at first sight, because of its particular huge dial, the disk is very clear and simple, that is a few simple figures. Compared to some very stylish watch, you might think it's too simple. However, this was not designed for the design, but design for the functions, insisting on today, it has become the distinctive and unshakable characteristics. Another example is its patented crown for the bridge, the function for the bridge is waterproof, another function is to fasten pointer, in case the indication is driven by other things, causing timing error. This is important, for the diver's watch and his life is closely linked. Why designed such a large dial and numbers, the reason is only like this can the driver wear outside the diving suit and read it convenience.

When you wear Panerai, people would exclaim: ah, so big! Yes, Panerai is so big, it will never change its style to cater to fashion. It will always be that way, will always be so big.

PAM 360 Panerai Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary

http://www.paneristi.com/ website was created 10 years ago, there were many Panerai watch fans all over the world gather here to exchange information, views and share experiences. In the beginning, the website only had dozens of members, now, its number of members has increased to thousands. In response to decades of love and support of Panerai enthusiasts, Panerai specially released a special edition to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Paneristi - Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary.

Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary was designed according to concepts and preferences proposed by Paneristi community, the watch chose 44mm Luminor case coupled with classic Crown Guard, it was water resistant to 30 bar(about 300 metres). Case, bezel, Crown Guard, Crown and the buckle on vintage leather strap were coated with DLC(Diamond-Like Carbon). The steel case back was engraved with "PANERISTI.COM" and "THENTH ANNIVERSARY" words. The numbers on the dial and the hour markers as well as hour and minute hands were all coated with Super LumiNova, very eye-catching on the black dial, but also added a bit nostalgic smell for this watch. The white "LUMINOR PANERAI" words and "OP" trademark were also printed on the dial. This 44mm Luminor watch equipped with OP I manual winding movement.

Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary was first exposed in Paneristi community on July 1, 2010, its ordering ways were also published in the community at the same time. Several minutes later, 300 pieces of Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary watches were sold out.

Panerai was founded in Florence in 1860, it originally as a watchmaking workshop and watchmakers college to supply precision timers for Italian Navy and design products at the request of their diver force. The research projects Luminor and Radiomir, were regarded as military secrets at that time, Panerai didn't release products to international market until 1997.

Today, Panerai was the only Italian advanced watch manufacturer, it also opened factory in Neuchatel, Switzerland, to research and manufacture wristwatches and movements, it could be said that, not only every Panerai watch was full of Italian design style and history, but also integrated exquisite Swiss watchmaking technology. You could order Panerai watches from its authorized retailers all over the world, such as Florence and Portofino in Italy, Geneva in Switzerland, Madrid in Germany, Los Angeles and New York in the United States, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Beirut in Lebanon, Doha in Qatar, Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Riyadh in saudi Arabia, Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai in China, as well as Tokyo in Japan.

Specifications of Panerai Luminor for Paneristi's Anniversary

Reference: PAM 360

Movement: OP I Calibre, 56 hours power reserve

Case: DLC

Bezel: DLC

Crystal: Sapphire, 3.5mm thick

Crown Guard: DLC

Case Back: Solid Steel

Diameter: 44mm

Strap: Brown leather strap

Water Resistance: 300m

Panerai In-house P.3000 Movement

Last week, Panerai introduced another in-house movement in Florence - P.3000.

From the preferred timepiece for divers of Italian Navy force in the World War II, to a world famous luxury brand that has several in-house movements, Panerai has walked a long history. The new P.3000 movement was entirely manufactured by Panerai.

P.3000 Features Old Large Balance Wheel(13.2mm)

Last week, Panerai CEO Angelo Bonati invited some their loyal watch fans, they gathered in Florence, which is the birthplace of Panerai. After talking about astronomy and the impressive Jupiterium, Bonati unexpectedly shown a few masterpieces to guests, from the first prototype in 1936 to the newest Panerai series, including the Mare Nostrum re-edition that was exhibited at 2010 SIHH.

At the beginning of establishment, the first group of wristwatches published by Panerai in Florentine family equipped with Rolex, Corteber and Angelus movements. Since 1993, Panerai has introduced Unitas movements in many historic watches. Unitas has always been a powerful "engine" to keep panerai in good performance.

Bonati introduced the new P.3000 movement in "Time and Space" exhibition in Florence, Unitas 6497 manual winding movement would pass into history immediately.

P.3000, 16½ in diamater, 5.3mm thick. P.3000-1 features small seconds, P.3000-2 has small seconds and date, besides small seconds and date, P.3000-3 also adds GMT function. P.3000 works 21,600 alternations per hour, it has 21 jewels and two barrels, 3 days power reserve. Tick comes from the old large balance wheel, whose diameter is up to 13.2mm.

P.3000 is a simple movement and can easily pass C.O.S.C test, but this is not the future choice of Panerai movement. At the press conference, Bonati said: "Our movements will no longer be detected by C.O.S.C., instead, we will establish a comprehensive internal quality inspection system and Manifattura standards that suit for modern watch-making industry."

Until now, Panerai has introduced seven in-house movements. Early 2010, Panerai equipped P.999 in 42mm Radiomir. But, this movement was primarily designed for Asian market and in line with the requirements of small wristwatches. Actually, Panerai positioned 42mm Radiomir as ladies watch.

Will P.3000 compete with P.999 ? Bonati answers: "P.999 is not suitable for large Luminor case."

Plates are satin finished, you can view the internal structures through the transparent case back. A series of Panerai new models that equip with P.3000 movement will be shown at 2011 SIHH, after exhibition, Panerai relaiters will sell these watches in the market, with the price from 5000 to 7000. Compared with the price of other Panerai watches, this manual winding one is not cheap, but no doubt, it is a wise step towards the road of entirely independent innovation, especially SWATCH has reduced its external distribution of semi-finished products.

Panerai Masterpieces in 2011

Panerai surprises every year, in 2011, besides the in-hourse 3-day P.3000 movement(probably will replace ETA 6497 in the future), Panerai continuously publishes new watches that are made of COMPOSITE and CERAMIC and first uses Bronze.

The most attractive model in this year is the PAM 372 LUMINOR 1950 3 DAYS, its appearance, sandwich dial and hands all reproduce from the classic vintage Panerai watch - 6152, which was very hot at that time although being imitated by RXW. PAM 372 is 47mm in diameter, it is one of the polished Panerai watches that I most appreciate, satin-finished crown bridge and 3mm thick acrylic glass show repect to the original model. PAM 372 LUMINOR 1950 3 DAYS equips with P.3000 movement, which features two barrels and has 160 components, 21 jewels, 21600 alternations/hour, the watch uses sapphire crystal case back and can be water resistance to 100m. The price is about €7,600, the watch is classified into HISTORIC, fortunately, it is not a limited edition.

PAM 373 RADIOMIR 3 DAYS PLATINO: Last year, I used to think were there any HISTORIC Models that Panerai hasn't made, I get the answer in this year, Panerai unexpectedly reproduces a test item. In those days, Rolex designed California Dial for Panerai, later supplied this type of dial, but whether the California Dial, or this one, they all had poor definition under water, Rolex took this unadopted design and modified it to use as the dial of SUBMARINER. PAM 373 features Platinum case, still uses P.3000 movement, 2.8mm acrylic galss, sapphire crystal case back, 100m water resistant. The watch is limited in a number of 199, the price is around €31800.

PAM 382 LUMINOR SUBMERSIBLE 1950 3 DAYS BRONZO: Panerai first adopts Bronze material, the watch is 47mm in case diameter, uses P.9000 Automatic movement, power reserve is 3 days, has 197 components, 28 jewels, 28800VPH, date. Sapphire crystal glass and case back, water resistance to 300 metres. PAM 382 LUMINOR SUBMERSIBLE 1950 3 DAYS BRONZO is limited to 1000 pieces and sold at €7600.

PAM 368 LUMINOR 1950 LEFT-HANDED 8 DAYS TITANIO: LEFT-HANDED CROWN BRIDGE model is very popular, 47mm large size shows again, the watch features Titanium case and equips with P.2002/9 8 DAYS MANUAL WINDING movement, no date and no day and night display, power reserve indicator is set on the back, the movement has 246 components, 23 jewels, 28800VPH. Arc-shaped sapphire crystal is anti-reflective, 100 metres waterproof. PAM 368 belongs to Panerai limited edition, only 1000 pieces available, the price is €11900.

PAM 375 LUMINOR COMPOSITE 1950 3 DAYS: simple 1950 Subsidiary Seconds model appears again, continues the legend of 127, but this new watch adopts high-tech COMPOSITE material, its movement is also the newly developed P.3000, so PAM 375 is more perfect than 127. 47mm case diameter, arc-shaped sapphire crystal with AR coating, sapphire case back is see-through, 100m water resistant. PAM 375 is limited to 2000 pieces and sold at €11600.

PAM 386 LUMINOR COMPOSITE MARINA 1950 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC: I introduced it before, COMPOSITE case, 44mm diameter, P.9000 Automatic movement, anto-reflective sapphire crystal and case back, 300m waterproof. The price is €7000.

PAM 371 LUMINOR SUBMERSIBLE 1950 REGATTA GMT 3 DAYS, Titanium case, 47mm, P.9001 Automatic, 229 components, three barrels, 29 jewels, 28800VPH, hours, minutes, small seconds, gmt, date, power reserve indicator on the back. 2.9mm arc-shaped sapphire crystal, 300 metres waterproof.Special edition and sold at €8700.

PAM 345 LUMINOR 1950 CHRONO MONOPULSANTE LEFT-HANDED 8 DAYS, Titanium case, 44mm, P.2004/9 MANUAL WINDING CHRONOGRAPH, 329 components, 31 jewels, 28800VPH, three barrels and 8 Days power reserve, column wheel chronograph with single button, power reserve indicator is on the back, arc-shaped sapphire crystal is 2mm thick, 100 metres waterproof. PAM 345 is limited in a number of 150 and sold at €16400.

PAM 379 RADIOMIR ORO ROSA 3 DAYS, red gold case, 47mm, new P.3000 MANUAL WINDING movement, 2.8mm acrylic glass, 100m water resistant. PAM 379 is a limited edition, its price is €11500.

PAM 376 RADIOMIR ORO BIANCO 3 DAYS, white gold case, 47mm, P.3000 movement with 3 days power reserve, California Dial, 2.8mm acrylic glass, 100m waterproof. PAM 376 is a limited edition, sold at €20900.

PAM 384 RADIOMIR 8 DAYS, black ceramic case, 45mm, P.2002/3 MANUAL WINDING, 225 components, 21 jewels, 28800 alternations/hour, three barrels and 8 days power reserve, hours, minutes, small seconds, date, linear power reserve indicator, anti-reflective sapphire crystal is arc-shaped and 2mm thick, 100m water resistant. PAM 384 belongs to PANERAI HISTRIC. 500 pieces will be produced in 2011, worth €11000.

PAM 356 LUMINOR CHRONO DAYLIGHT, 316L steel, 44mm, OP XII Chronograph(modified from ETA 7750), 27 jewels, 28800 alternations/hour, 46 hours power reserve, COSC, date, chronograph, 1.9mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal is are-shaped, 100m water resistant. PAM 356 belongs to PANERAI CONTEMPORERY, worth €6500.