A new Size for Panerai Best Selling Collection

Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days – 42mm

Written by: D Constant for The Watch Review Site 

So Panerai have begun to experiment with their trusted Luminor Marina, This being one of their most respected and the mainstay in the Panerai collection along with being the watchmakers bestseller of the Officine Panerai collections.

Now for the first time we see it in its all new 42mm case size the previous Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 days Automatic was 44mm, and the Historic Paneraia Luminor Marina 1950 3 days which was the biggest of the Luminor Marina Range has had 5mm shaved off its strapping 47mm diameter to be presented in an all new 42mm, that’s even smaller than the Standard Historic Luminor Marina timepieces (That’s if any Panerai Watch can be called standard???).  Most Panerai Timepieces are 45mm, 44mm or 40mm in diameter and their historic range can go to 47mm, but this is one of the rare occasions that Panerai have opted for 42mm case diameter are they thinking of doing this along the entire collection of contemporary pieces and hence no longer producing 44mm and 40mm alternatives….. I doubt it but maybe?

The Panerai 1950 3 day is presented for the first time in this new size of 42 mm in two versions, We have the PAM00392 or Steel version and a Rose Gold or Oro Rosso version reference PAM00393. Panerai would lead us to believe the Steel is the Sportier derivative and can withstand 100m or 10bar water resistance and the Rose Gold Luminor Marina 1950 3 day to be the more elegant and less robust of the two with only 5bar or 5omm water resistance.

Even with this new Luminor 1950 case, Panerai have still retained the classic proportions of this model, which still do justice to this vintage brands ancestors on which this watch is inspired byback in the 1940s, The original Luminor was styled on original panerai pieces made  for the commandos of the Italian Navy.

They still have the bridge with locking lever (it wouldnt be a Panerai Luminor without it in my mind) obviously it has a purpose and is not only aesthetically pleasing, the bring and lever helps to ensure a higher degree of water resistance and protects the crown from accidental shocks. On to the Luminor Marina 1950 3 days Automatic crown, it operates by rotating the hour hand in one hour increments in either direction and also adjusts the date accordingly and all without interrupting the normal running of the watch.

As for the dial, as with its predecessors we still have the panerai iconic design of the 1930s Panerai and ensures maximum clarity and legibility both underwater and in the lowest lighting conditions due to its two superimposed discs contain a layer of Super-LumiNova® which shines through cut-outs in the upper disc corresponding to the hour markers and numerals, providing exceptional visibility. The steel version we have a black dial with a corresponding black Panerai alligator strap, As for the Rose Gold Luminor Marina 1950 3 days Automatic 42mm they are brown with ecru coloured Super-LumiNova®.

We all know that Panerai is quintessentially a classic historic timepiece and steeped in recent tradition and this can be seen in the design of all its watches including this Luminor Marina 1950 3 Day Automatic 42mm, but on the inside to the contrary the In House P.9000 calibre is designed and uses the best in technical advances and materials and highlights the watchmakers continuous commitment to research and development. For those who are interested the automatic P.9000 calibre movement is completely designed and executed by the Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. It has a power reserve of 3 days and is driven by two spring barrels wound by an oscillating weight operating in both directions, it has 28 jewels and a balance wheel which oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Back to the aesthetics of the Panerai Luminor Marina 19503 days 42mm Automatic (That does seem a little long winded) or Reference PAM000392 (Steel) and PAM000393 (Rose Gold), both pieces look great as would be expected the colour choices and correlation of strap and dial are befitting such a timepiece, Are we to see a titanium version soon… And with time honoured recent tradition the case back being sapphire crystal gives is a striking pice of work from Panerai its detail and craftmenship is outstanding.

As for the technical speak about the material the steel is AISI 316L grade stainless steel, an alloy with a low carbon content notable for its high resistance to corrosion and the rose gold is 5Npt, a special alloy with an unusually high percentage of copper (24.1%) which gives more depth to the colour, and 0.4% platinum which helps to prevent any oxidation of the metal.

As per usual here are a few more shots of the Panerai Luminor Marina 19503 Days 42mm Automatic and its Technical Data.

Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days – Automatic – Steel – Technical Details

Reference: PAM00392.

Movement: Automatic mechanical, inhouse Panerai P9000 calibre

28 jewels

frequency 28,800 alternations/hour.

Incabloc® anti-shock device

Power reserve 3 days

197 components.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date.

Case: Diameter 42 mm, AISI 316L brushed steel.

Bezel: Polished steel.

Back: See-through sapphire crystal.

Dial: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock.

Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 1.8 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.

Water- resistance: 10 bar (~100 metres).

Strap: PANERAI personalised alligator strap and brushed steel buckle.

Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days 42mm – Automatic - Oro Rosso (Rose Gold)  - Technical Details

Reference: PAM00393.

Movement: Automatic mechanical, inhouse Panerai P9000 calibre

28 jewels

frequency 28,800 alternations/hour.

Incabloc® anti-shock device

Power reserve 3 days

197 components.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date.

Case: Diameter 42 mm,  brushed red gold.

Bezel: Polished red gold.

Back: See-through sapphire crystal.

Dial: Brown with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock.

Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 1.8 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.

Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Strap: PANERAI personalised alligator strap and brushed red gold buckle.

Breitling Colt 33 – Closer look at Ladies Divers Watch.

Written by D Constant for The Watch Review Site

We have another Ladies Diver Watch, we are looking at to review, this time it’s the turn of the Breitling Colt 33, This watch was first introduced by Breitling about a year ago and this Colt 33 with its in house movement gets a Breitling update which introduces a wider range of strap options and adjustments to various other elements of the watch such as the matching hour markers and other elements on the Breitling Colt 33’s Dial.

The Breitling Colt 33 watch, now comes in a range of colours as can be seem by the Press Release Shot.

This 33mm (as depicted by the nameColt 33) Ladies Divers watch is a usable timepiece it actually is made to do what it says on the box, with the exception of the Breitling Colt 33 with the diamond set bezel. All the other pieces a suitable to be used as an actual Dive Watch, yes they are not just astetically pleasing and designed so a woman feels she has a pretty watch on her wrist these Colt 33′s are practical. Breitling has made the Colt 33 water resistant to a deepth of upto 500m, again a very good depth for a Ladies Divers Watch, to be honest theres not many around that can go that far down in the deep blue only one comes to mind and thats not exactly a well known brand. This is something Breitling pride themselves on and too right they should.

As we touched upon earlier as with all current breitlings the Colt 33 has an inhouse movement being the Caliber B77 which is a thermocompensated SuperQuartz movement which breitling claim is 10 times more accurate than a normal quartz movement.

The dial also houses large numerals at 12, 6 and 9 which gives the visual impact of the Breitling Colt a kick along with the polished steel case and  satin brushed unidirectional bezel with its stamped numerals.

All in All Breitling have updated the Colt 33 to be more appealing to it’s user base with limited loss of functionality and usability. A divers watch with a hint of feminism and good looks.

The Breitling Colt 33 Ladies Diver Watch retails in the UK with prices starting at £2680 and ranging to in excess of £6500 for the diamond studed version.

Breitling Colt 33 – Ladies Dive Watch – Technical Details

Movement: Breitling Caliber 77, thermocompensated. SuperQuartzTM.

Battery end-of-life indicator.

Calendar.

Case: steel.

Water-resistant to 500 m (1,660 ft/ 50 bars).

Screw-locked crown.

Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel.

Sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Diameter: 33 mm.

Dials: silver with red, blue, pink, orange or white hour markers.

Strap/Bracelet: Sahara leather/Colt.

Limited Edition Red – Breitling Superocean Chronograph II

By D Constant for The Watch Review Site

So the Breitling Superocean Chrono II see’s REDDDDDDDD

Well what are your initial thoughts from the photo, quick glance first please

The new colour schem for the Chrono II seems to further bring out some of the watches stronger features and embodies the Chrono’s character. The stand out feature and difference in this limited edition is the unidirectional rotating bezel, an indispensable companion for the finest feats in deep waters, which appears clad in red rubber – offering a superb touch of vivid colour. 

This vivid red on Breitlings Superocean Chronograph II is further echoed on the dials by the sweep seconds hand, the counter rings, the date window and the model’s signature all being emblazened in this RED…

Technical Details – Breitling Superocean Chronograph II – Limited Edition RED

Movement: Breitling Caliber 13, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding,

high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour),

25 jewels.

1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers.

Calendar.

Case: steel.

Water resistant to 500m (1,650ft /50bars).

Screw-locked crown and pushpieces.

Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel.

Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Diameter: 44 mm.

Dial: Abyss Red.

Straps: Barenia leather, Superocean leather, rubber Ocean Racer, rubber Diver Pro (with raised central ridge)

Signalman DLC GMT PR

Introducing the Schofield Signalman DLC GMT PR, limited edition timepiece from Schofield Watch Company.

This is the second timepiece to come out of the Schofield Watch Company, The piece is to be limited edition to 100 pieces worldwide and is available on pre order. The only differentiating factor between the two offerings other than the number available, The DLC being the more limited (i.e. less produced only 100 worldwide) is the finish of the watch case.

The Signalman DLC GMT PR is offered as a matte DLC coated black steel case, whereby the Signalman GMT PR is offered in polished Steel. The Case is 44mm wide and produced locally in the UK.

While not a divers watch as such it is water resistant to 500 meters and has a AR coated sapphire crystal.

Signalman refers to a lighthouse as is evident with the engraved watch back. The case shape is based on a specific light used in a lighthouse in England.

Not wanting to offer a simple three-hand dial watch to start, the Signalman GMT watch has a GMT hand as well as a power reserve indicator and date complications.

Powering the Signalman GMT is a Swiss Soprod caliber 9335 automatic movement. It has a power reserve of 42 hours and the GMT hand is adjusted in one hour increments with a specific inset case pusher tool.

The Signalman also comes with a number of interesting and exquisite straps. They are all 24mm wide and come in a host of styles including shark and calf skin.

Technical Information

 Automatic Swiss Soprod 9335 movement
31 Jewels 28,800 bph (4hz)
Rhodium plated, pearlage decoration, blued screws
Power Reserve of 42 hours displayed at 12 o’clock
GMT display at 6 o’clock set via push button at 4:30 o’clock, Date at 3 o’clock
Water resistant to 500 metres
Anti-magnetic movement holder

 Signalman case: 44mm diameter, DLC coated stainless steel

 Dial: on two levels, applied numerals, SuperLuminova C1

 Sapphire crystal: domed, anti-reflective coating on the inside

 Strap: special edition black shark-skin, green calf skin lined

 Buckle: curved, polished stainless steel, engraved, screw in

You will receive a discount of 20% if you pre order either of Schofields Signalman’s before June 2012.

Pricing – Signalman DLC

Pre Order Price               £2785.00 excl. VAT and Shipping        £3342.00 incl. VAT

Post June 2012 Price     £3342.00 excl. VAT and Shipping        £4,010.00 incl. VAT

UK Shipping is £20.00