Variety Watches

For die-hard watch collectors, known as “Paneristi”, Panerai watches have always been some of the most sought after and most difficult to acquire. For years, these watches were simply not very available in the U.S. Their pricey price tags also put them in a category of their own.

Fans of Panerai watches include former President Bill Clinton and actor / director Sylvester Stallone, who is such a fan that the company made a watch for him called the “Slytech”.

Panerai’s allure is that what they produce is perfection and perfection doesn’t come in mass quantities. There are only five styles of Panerai watches to choose from: Luminor, Luminor 1950, Luminor Base, Luminor Marina, and Radiomir. A partnership with Ferrari has also resulted in a few very unique watches that feature the Ferrari horse logo on the watch face.

However, recently the Italian watch company whose timepieces are now produced in Switzerland, has come out with an automatic mechanical P.9001 calibre, with three day power reserve, that uses an in-house movement for a more affordable price (in the eyes of Panerai) of $9,800. This new watch, with its Luminor 1950 case, comes in two models: The all stainless steel GMT Automatic retains Panerai’s most significant look: the 44mm case and with its clean lines and minimalist look, it very chic and handsome. The other version of this GMT (which allows you to set the watch to two different time zones) comes with a brown alligator band. Both are water resistant up to 300 meters.

Any way you look at it, it’s good news; Panerai watches are now more available for any one who wants to add to a personal luxury watch collection or start one.

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Race cars and premium watches have a lot in common. Both items require a talented craftsman to create. Both place equal emphasis on form and function in product designs. Both have their respective hierarchy of brands, and either type of product is prohibitively expensive. For 2009, one more item has been added to this list of common ground: racing giant Ferrari and horology master Officine Panerai came together to make a watch.

And it’s not just any watch. That much you could already infer from your first glance at the unique design and loudly eye-catching color combination of the Panerai Ferrari Chronograph. In an industry where subtle and understated reign supreme, the Ferrari Chronograph’s bold curves and strong colors really set it apart. But this designer watch is no mere astronomically priced trinket.

For one thing, it’s definitely not delicate and frail. Panerai made sure of that by using diamond-like coating (DLC), a chemical treatment that gives the Ferrari Chronograph its scratchproof toughness and unmistakable black finish. With a rubber strap, it’s a clear departure from the restrained styling of the 2008 version with a pink gold case and strap in leather. This year, it’s for the tough guy who’s ready to get a few bumps and bruises.

If you weren’t aware of the partnership, you couldn’t tell at first that this was a Panerai product. Only the Ferrari brand is stamped on the face and the adjustment dial; the other’s logo is stamped on the back. But behind the cool, mysterious face, the watch is Panerai through and through. It’s powered by a 28,800-vibrations per hour OP XII Calibre that’s water-resistant up to 100m and equipped with a 46-hour power reserve.

This 45-mm baby might not be able to go 0 to 200 in 10 seconds, and neither can it make that inimitable Ferrari purr. However, with twice as much history and engineering behind it, this red-and-black beauty isn’t exactly something that you easily compare with other objects. Even with an expected price tag of about $15,000, you can rest assured that this commemorative piece is well worth every cent of it.

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