Panerai unveils a timeless tribute to the Chinese New Year with the Luminor Perpetual Calendar PAM01688, a 100-piece limited edition watch that unites the elegance of a burgundy dial with the preciousness of Panerai Goldtech™. This combination, complemented by the lucky number 88 in the reference – deeply rooted in Chinese tradition – is an ode to fortune, abundance and the perpetual arrival of prosperous years.
“With the Luminor Perpetual Calendar, we pay tribute to the rich cultural significance of the Chinese New Year. For the first time, we have customized the dial with Chinese characters, which represents our commitment to creating watches that identify with our global audience, celebrating their unique heritage and values,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai.
The first of Panerai’s watches with this distinctive feature, the dial of the Luminor Perpetual Calendar PAM01688 beautifully integrates Chinese characters for the day and date indicators, with the rotating dial specifically customized for this watch. A lesson in subtlety and complexity, the new watch offers more than meets the eye.
The dial elements are kept to a minimum, including minutes, hours, day, date GMT hand and 24-hour sub-dial at 9 o’clock, with small seconds and a day-night indicator, maintaining the clarity and simplicity characteristic of Panerai design. Key indications such as the month, year and leap year are visible through the open sapphire case back, a window into the prowess of the P.4100 movement. The only indication of the current degree of complexity is the inscription “Calendario Perpetuo”, an ode to Panerai’s Italian spirit.
A faithful companion, the PAM01688 ensures that the calendar functions correctly until 2399, with only one adjustment at the end of each century.
The P.4100 calibre was chosen for this watch to symbolize a lasting legacy for future generations. Panerai’s Perpetual Calendar features an intuitive function in which adjustments are made using only the crown, allowing changes to the day, date, month and leap year without using a tool or corrector, including during month-end and midnight approach periods. This innovation is the result of research and development lasting more than five years at Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee.
PAM01688 is further enriched by a GMT complication. With a 24-hour dial, it is a return to the Maison’s heritage, harking back to some of the first models developed in the early 2000s. This feature adds a new dimension to the watch’s ease of use, especially for those who follow several time zones.
With a power reserve of three days, the watch’s energy is stored in two barrels with an off-center micro-rotor that winds the movement, which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), to ensure accurate and reliable timekeeping. The off-center position of the micro-rotor allows for more space to display all the information – at just 15 ½ (35.1 mm) in diameter and 7mm thick – resulting in a highly functional watch for everyday use, despite the number of features it holds.
PAM01688 highlights the distinctive key elements that characterize the Luminor line: the lever crown protection device, the cushion-shaped case, the solid wings and the sandwich dial filled with Super-LumiNova®. The watch is housed in a 44mm Panerai Goldtech™ case. Water resistant to 5 bar (~50 meters), the watch has been rigorously tested, subjecting it to a pressure up to 25% higher than the guaranteed water resistance value to ensure that it meets Panerai’s strict standards.
The hue of the dial blends perfectly with a matte black crocodile leather strap, hand-finished for an aged effect, burgundy safety stitching on the case and fitted with a Panerai Goldtech™ buckle for ease of use, added security and an elegant finishing touch to protect the complication. With a second black rubber strap, PAM01688 is presented in a wooden case as part of Maison’s limited-edition releases.
The Luminor Perpetual Calendar PAM01688 is a boutique exclusive available worldwide.
