In the history of Officine Panerai, wristwatches for left-handers appeared for the first time in the early 1940s, when the first examples were produced for the commandos of the Italian Navy with the winding crown and bridge protecting the crown on the left ; today these are very rare and highly sought-after by collectors. A possible historic justification for the existence of these watches may lie in the overall equipment carried by the commandos, which included not only the watch but also the compass and wrist depth gauge, which could have been worn on the left wrist instead of the watch.
This historic peculiarity is the distinctive feature of the new Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante Left-handed 8 Days Titanio – 44 mm, a Special Edition fitted with the manufacture P.2004/9 movement, the single-button chronograph calibre completely designed and produced within the Officine Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. The hand-wound P.2004/9 calibre has three spring barrels, which give a power reserve of eight days, and the seconds reset function, which zeroes the seconds’ hand, thus enabling the watch to be perfectly synchronised with a reference time signal. From the constructional point of view, the calibre has a column wheel and vertical clutch, features which identify
top-of-the-range chronographs. The Luminor 1950 case, 44 mm in diameter, is made of brushed titanium with a polished bezel and a sapphire crystal back which enables the movement to be observed and the power reserve to be read, thanks to an indicator placed on a bridge. The cylindrical push-piece which controls all the chronometer functions – start, stop, reset – is at 2 o’clock, on the side opposite the bridge protecting the winding crown. The latter is made of brushed titanium, as is the buckle which  closes the brown antiqued leather strap. The brown sandwich dial has the large figures and hour markers which are typical of the classic Panerai appearance, as well as a continuous seconds dial and minutes counter. The sandwich construction, the historic justification of which was the need to maximise the dial’s legibility in situations of poor visibility, consists of two superimposed discs between which is placed the luminous material with which the markers and figures are displayed. On the dial, as well as the inscription “ Luminor Panerai ”, the inscription “ 8 DAYS ” refers to the movement’s lengthy power reserve. This Special Edition counts only 150 units.
Another Officine Panerai Special Edition repeats this feature (but with 1000 pieces this time), which not only has its roots in the history of the brand but which also provides better functionality and comfort for everyone who prefers to wear a watch on the right wrist : the Luminor 1950 Left-handed 8 Days Titanio – 47 mm.The Luminor 1950 case, in the classic Panerai size of 47 mm in diameter, is made of brushed titanium with a polished bezel and a sapphire crystal back which enables the manufacture P.2002/9 movement to be observed and the power reserve to be read. The buckle which closes the brown antiqued leather strap is also made of brushed titanium, a material chosen for itscharacteristics of lightness and strength as well as its hypo-allergenic qualities. The brown sandwich dial has the small seconds dial at 3 o’clock, perfecting the aesthetic balance of the watch which has the bridge protecting the winding crown positioned on the left. The sandwich structure, the justification of which lay in the need to maximise the dial’s legibility when used underwater, consists of two superimposed discs between which is placed the luminous material with which the markers and figures are displayed. The hour and minute hands, as well as the small seconds hand, are coated with Super-LumiNova®. On the dial, as well as the inscription “ Luminor Panerai ”, the inscription “ 8 DAYS ” refers to the movement’s lengthy power reserve (given by three spring barrels). This P.2002/9 calibre is also completely designed and produced within the Officine Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. 

 

 

With the new Radiomir 8 Days Ceramica – 45 mm, Officine Panerai presents the combination of a high-tech material, ceramic, and a Panerai movement entirely developed and produced in the manufacture in Neuchâtel: the hand-wound P.2002/3 calibre. Ceramic has for some years established itself as a material of choice in the world of haute horlogerie for its appearance, its hardness and its resistance to scratches, corrosive agents and high temperatures. The synthetic ceramic used by Officine Panerai for its case is zirconium oxide (ZrO2), a material obtained through a process of isostatic pressure on the material in powder form, which results in a particularly uniform, even appearance. The Panerai hand-wound P.2002/3 calibre has a power reserve of eight days and it is notable for its three spring barrels and the linear power reserve indicator on the dial. As well as the date at 3 o’clock, the calibre also has the device which enables the hour hand to be rapidly adjusted without interfering with the movement of the minute hand. This special edition of 500 pieces belonging to the Historic Collection has a completely black appearance, both in its ceramic cushion case and its dial with the characteristic sandwich construction, as well as in the buffalo leather strap closed by a titanium buckle with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating. The back too is consistent with this appearance, having a smoked sapphire crystal window through which the movement can be seen. All the characteristic elements of the dial – the large figures and hour markers, the hands and the small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, the date window and the linear power reserve indicator – are covered with a layer of special ecru Super-LumiNova®.
The Luminor Chrono Daylight, the chronograph with three counters inspired by the model ordered from Officine Panerai by the Italian-American actor Sylvester Stallone for the film of the same name in 1995, is available in a new version with a strongly sporting character. The broad black dial is notable for its great legibility and clarity, features which are typical of Officine Panerai. It is a classic design consisting of a combination of lines and figures, both in the main display and in the chronograph hour and minute counters and the small seconds dial. A special coating of ecru Super-LumiNova® gives the hands and the elements which stand out on the dial a vintage appearance which is reminiscent of Panerai models of the past. It is equipped with an automatic movement supplied with a Chronometer Certificate issued by COSC. Its bridges are enriched with Côtes de Genève decoration. The Luminor Chrono Daylight is sold with a spare rubber strap, easily replaceable using the special tool provided.

 

Radiomir 8 Days Ceramica – 45 mm
Case : black ceramic with patented crown protecting device and see-through smoked sapphire crystal. Diameter : 45 mm, Movement : Hand-wound mechanical movement (Panerai P2002/3 calibre with 3 barrels and 8 day power reserve), KIF Parechoc® anti-shock device, 225 components. Functions : Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, linear power reserve indicator. Dial : Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers.  Strap : Panerai personalised leather strap and large-size titanium buckle, removable wire loop strap attachments (patented). Water- resistance : 10 bar (~100 metres).

 

Luminor Chrono Daylight – 44 mm
Case : AISI 316L brushed steel, brushed steel push-pieces for the chronograph functions, patented crown protecting device. Diameter : 44 mm Movement : Automatic mechanical movement (exclusive Panerai OP XII calibre with 46h power reserve), Incabloc® anti-shock device. COSC certified, Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges  Functions :Hours, minutes, small seconds, date (Date corrector at 10 o’clock), 3 counter chronograph. Dial : Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Strap : PANERAI personalised leather strap and large-size brushed steel buckle. Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool to change the strap and a steel. Water- resistance : 10 bar (~100 metres).