Panerai watches have such a distinctive look, rooted in the brand’s historic ties with the Italian navy, and a cult following that one may justifiably wonder whether this places certain restrictions on the freedom of its designers.

But this conundrum is neither new, nor does it pose any apparent problem to Angelo Bonati, President of Officine Panerai. Earlier this year, Europa Star put this very question to him. “We consider Panerai a brand that has an enormous potential for the future,” he replied. “Somebody asked me the same question twelve years ago. My answer is still the same: we have an enormous potential to explore, why change? It’s true that we don’t have a big square to draw our watches on. We have a narrow street, but this means that you have to be more creative.”

The latest expression of this creativity is a special edition dedicated to the Panerai-sponsored Transat Classique 2012, which has seen a fleet of classic yachts racing in a number of regattas around the world in 2012, travelling 4,000 miles in yachts that are, in some cases, over a hundred years old.

The Luminor 1950 Rattrapante 8 Days Titanio, identified by the reference PAM00427, bears all the usual Panerai hallmarks, such as the Luminor case, the sleek black dial and Panerai’s trademarked crown protector. The lightweight case in brushed titanium, with a contrasting polished titanium bezel, houses the Panerai P.2006/3 calibre, which is a hand-wound split-seconds movement with a double column wheel that offers a power reserve of eight days (displayed on Panerai’s typical linear gauge in the 6 o’clock position). Since the patented crown protector takes up most of the right-hand side of the case, the two chronograph pushers are located at 8 o’clock for the chronograph and 10 o’clock for the split seconds.

With the logo of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 engraved on the case back, this special edition is fitted with a personalised Panerai rubber strap and large brushed titanium buckle and is supplied with a second strap and the tool required to change it. Issued as a limited edition of 200 pieces, it will be available mainly in the 45 Panerai boutiques worldwide, as well as at a small selection of specialist watch shops.

Source: Europa Star December - January 2012-13 Magazine Issue

See the other SIHH 2013 previews in this issue:

• “Audemars Piguet: infusing a new way of thinking”
• Baume & Mercier’s seaside odyssey continues
• Roger Dubuis leads the way in self-sufficiency
• Cartier’s new manufacture chronograph
• Piaget’s strident voice from a slender body
• Ralph Lauren’s Sporting World Time in steel
• Richard Mille’s support for road safety