As a tribute to the link between Panerai and the world of the sea that has been part of the brand’s history for more than 100 years, the brand recently released three new magnificent timepieces. Baroque Access has all the details
More than a century ago, Panerai used to supply precision instruments to the Italian Navy. Following this, Panerai, as a tribute to its own past, made a remarkable contribution to preserving the culture of classic yachts, through the races of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. This tribute is made clear by the letters ‘PCYC’ inscribed on the dial and the outline of a sailing yacht on the back.
Over the years, Panerai has produced numerous watches to commemorate its link with the sea, all under the name ‘Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge’. The Italian luxury brand’s three latest additions to the collection also feature the PCYC logo on the dial and are sportier and more modern. They are technically superb and inspired by the unique beauty of classic yachts. The titanium and ceramic models feature engraved images of the logo, while the gold chronograph seems almost to float above the movement, being reproduced on the sapphire glass porthole in the back of the new watch.
The last nautical-inspired Panerai collection, released in 2017, also featured three chronograph watches. All were classic, with a slight vintage style and 1940-style dials. The 2019 iterations are much bolder. Each has a different color combination on the dial and case, made from different materials – titanium matt black, ceramic or gold. All three models are housed in 44mm cases. They also have the same movement and functions as each other, offering Panerai’s signature toughness, reliability and precision.
The new Luminor Yachts Challenge watches all have the same iconic case design with the device protecting the winding crown, and the functions and features of the P.9100 automatic manufacture movement – flyback chronograph with a power reserve of three days, a seconds reset, speed calculator expressed in knots through the tachymeter scale on the flange, and rapid hour adjustment. They also feature the same dial with two sub-dials (small seconds at 9 o’clock and chronograph hours at 3 o’clock) and are perfectly visible in the dark.
Each chronograph is distinguished by the color combination of the dial and strap, which differs according to the case material, but all of them are blue, the color of the sea, and several details give each individual watch a powerful, distinctive personality. The ceramic and titanium models are water resistant to 100 meters, whilst the gold model is water resistant to 50 meters.