A limited edition of 1,000 numbered pieces, aimed first and foremost at connoisseurs of classic models: Officine Panerai presents the Luminor Power Reserve 44 mm, the new ‘all black’ Luminor with automatic movement and a 42-hour power reserve. The watch will be available from the month of July 2009 at Officine Panerai authorized dealers worldwide and – by way of exclusive preview – from June at Panerai Boutiques.
This is not simply a reissue of the watch launched in 1998 but rather a significantly updated version, particularly regarding the dial and case. In the new Luminor, in fact, the carrure, the bezel and the device protecting the crown are made of stainless steel which is no longer blackened with a PVD coating - the new model is coated in DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon). This is a special process which coats the surfaces with a vaporised, diamond-structured layer of carbon that adheres perfectly to the metal. The ultra-thin coating obtained creates a harder-than-steel external layer, especially resistant to corrosion, scratching and wear.
The case, measuring 44 mm in diameter as with all classic models, is water-resistant to a depth of 300 metres, even if the water-resistance tests to which Panerai watches are submitted are always carried out at pressure levels that considerably exceed the certification. The carbon coating is also applied to the crown-protecting device and its lever – distinctive features of Luminor models – while the case back is made of brushed steel. Twelve-sided and screwed down, the case back is engraved with the individual issue number and the number of annual production.
As in the ‘90s models, the dial has a Clou de Paris decor, a feature that lends it significant depth, highlighting the large Arab numerals and hour markers, as luminescent as the index hands. The workmanship on the dial means the traditional sandwich style cannot be achieved, but the night-time luminosity of the hands and markers is equally very high. At 6 o’clock there is a semicircle indicating the power reserve remaining. This position is identical to that found on historic models, but with a different design for the smaller auxiliary dial. Reading of the date is facilitated by a small, 2.5mm thick magnifying lens applied to the anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
The new Luminor’s automatic movement is the Panerai Soprod 9040 calibre, 11½ lignes. With 24 jewels and oscillating weight at 28,800 alternations/hour, this movement passed the control tests to obtain the official C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.
Identified by the reference PAM00028, the Luminor Power Reserve 44 mm is equipped with a leather strap and a Panerai personalized buckle, also DLC-coated. It is also supplied with an extra rubber strap and a small screwdriver for a quick change of the strap itself.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Movement: Automatic mechanical, SOPROD 9040 calibre, 11½ lignes, 24 jewels, monometallic Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour, Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 42 hours. Chronometer Certificate (C.O.S.C.).
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve indicator.
Case: Diameter 44 mm, steel with special hard black coating.
Bezel: Steel with special hard black coating.
Back: Screw, brushed steel.
Device protecting the crown: (protected as a Trademark) Steel with special hard black coating.
Dial: Black with Paris hobnails decoration. Luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock, power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, central seconds hand.
Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 2.5 mm thick, magnifying lens at 3 o’clock. Anti-reflective coating.
Water-resistance: 30 bar (300 metres).
Strap: PANERAI personalised leather strap and steel buckle with special hard black coating. Supplied with a steel screwdriver and a second interchangeable rubber strap
