The Breitling Watch Blog

Panerai revealed its SIHH 2014 pieces via email today, and they are an interesting bunch of pieces. In particular I really dig the Chronograph collection, which appears to be the feature. The Radiomir 1940 Chronographs are a nice looking bunch. I’ll recap all the pieces later today.

See the Chronograph video here:
http://www.panerai.com/en/?utm_source=Entire_database&utm_medium=email-internal&utm_campaign=Dem_Sihh2014_20Jan2014-WW-EN-WAT

See the SIHH 2014 Novelties here:
http://www.panerai.com/en/novelties-sihh-2014-geneva

Panerai teases us with a video of their upcoming 2014 SIHH Collection, coming in less than 6 days. This time they’re being a little bit more cryptic, taking some cues from Apple, no doubt.

They certainly have the same type of cult-like followers, and create the same kind of buzz. I certainly can’t wait to see the collection, even though I can’t afford most of them!

A month or two ago Panerai announced a new 8 Day in-house movement named the P.5000. This movement is featured currently in two Luminor Marina Watches (The PAM510 and PAM511), and has no complications yet.. Just small seconds, hour and minutes… oh, and an incredible 8 day power reserve. They are handwound movements, and are pretty awesome.

A power reserve of eight days and hand-wound: the P.5000 calibre combines these two characteristics which are part of the history of Panerai watches since the first models created for the commandos of the Italian Navy. With a diameter of 15¾ lignes (35.7 mm) and a thickness of 4.5 mm, the P.5000 calibre has 21 jewels, it is made up of 127 component parts and its balance wheel oscillates at a frequency of 3 Hz, equivalent to 21,600 vibrations/hour. Its original, very strong structure recalls that of old movements in which the mechanism was contained between two plates concealing most of the wheels and allowing only a few details to be seen, such as the balance cock and the intermediate wheel.
The P.5000 calibre has a variable inertia balance, its period of oscillation being adjusted by turning the little timing screws on the outside of the balance wheel. Using this system the balance spring is free, without the curb pins which would otherwise be used to modify its active length. The bridge supporting the balance is fixed by two screws beneath which are threaded rings which turn in both directions, the purpose of which is to adjust the endshake of the balance staff pivots. This technical solution helps the escapement to continue running perfectly in the event of shocks.
The long power reserve of 192 hours, that is 8 days, is achieved by coupling the two spring barrels with toothed rims in series. The twin assembly enables longer, thinner springs to be used, resulting in a longer duration and greater uniformity in delivering energy to the movement.

Functions
• Hours, minutes, small seconds
• Hand-wound
• Power reserve 8 days
• 127 components
• 21 jewels
• 15¾ lignes
• 4.5mm thick
• Two barrels
• Oscillation frequency 3 Hz
• KIF Parechoc® anti-shock device

To commemorate and inform buyers of the new(ish) case from Panerai, they have launched a storyline-style website with some cool history and information on the 1940’s style Radiomir case. This case from Panerai is an interesting shape and looks very cool. Enjoy the new site and the video that was released earlier this year on the 1940’s Radiomir Case.

Around the 1940’s the Panerai workshops in Florence perfected a new case, designed to meet to the increasingly demanding requirements of the underwater commandos of the Italian Navy. The case was a development of the one presented in 1936 that is today known as the Radiomir – a term which originally described the luminous material patented by Panerai to make the dial luminous – and it incorporates some innovations designed to make its construction even more solid and resistant.

So the Radiomir 1940 was born.

See the story and website here: http://radiomir1940.com/en/home/

Just posted a video review of my JOA PAM249 Homage watch, with the Cali dial. This is a cool rendition of the 249 from Johel, and can sort of tide you over until you fork over the $15K or so you’ll need to buy the original. Its got some items with it that I don’t love, and I really am not that big a fan of homage watches but its not too shabby. Check it out.