The Ultimate Re-issue

Usually, when watches are re-issued they never quite have the same impact they did as when they first came out. Not for Panerai! This year at SIHH Panerai re-issued the PAM00026 which has the same exact reference number, and is the exact same model of a watch that was released 10 years ago. When this announcement was made it got all Panerai enthusiasts Knickers in quite the twist, especially the ones who bought the original PAM00026. Shockingly, this started a whole new revolution for Panerai, because the message boards all over the world were flooded with people who were obsessed with regards to why? Even though it pissed off a lot of people rightfully so, it also raised awareness for that new collector to desire and have it.

What is the Pam000026? This is a left handed 44 mm 1,000 piece edition for the world, Panerai Luminor Marina case, milled from a solid block of Stainless Steel and coated with a special black PVD treatment which strengthens the case and makes it quite resistant to extreme wear and abrasion. This case in addition has had special bronzing treatment making it completely anti-reflective, while the case back coming in contact with the wrist is made out of brushed steel.

The dial on the PAM00026 whose functions displays hours, minutes and subseconds hand at the 3 o'clock position, and looks exactly the same as the original, except for the fact that today the dial is a black sandwich dial just like the vintage ones of the past, which means the numbers and indices are engraved into the dial and then filled with Super Luminova for luminocity and visibility especially at night. Instead of the patented device protecting the crown which is also stainless steel, coated with special PVD treatment, being on the right hand side of the case, it is fitted on the left hand side at the 9 o'clock position, and when this crown guard is pushed in it locks and protects the crown from being damaged and ensures a water resistance to 300 meters.

In order for the crystal to be in sync with this pressure a 3 mm scratch resistant sapphire crystal has been fitted which is formed of corundum for those hard knocks. The movement is the simple yet reliable Panerai OP 11 Caliber which is a hand wound mechanical movement and is also equipped with the Incabloc anti-shock device for extreme protection, just in case you drop the frigging thing! The strap which is screwed on to the lugs of the watch is a Panerai black calf strap which looks cool because of the all black look, but to be honest a nice gold calf cashmire strap that has been distressed would make this watch a complete rock star!

The irony is that IWC was first to make use of the black case in their timepieces in the late 80's, while Panerai has popularized this aesthetic making it famous, influencing a generation of people to wear watches that have black stealthier cases, and watch companies to manufacture alike. The purpose behind the infamous Destro or the left handed case historically was so that Commandos in the Italian Navy wearing white glove could wind from the other side so their glove wouldn't get in the way. Today the purpose of the Destro is to show Panerais commitment to history as well as accommodation for the left handed individual. With stats like this, and bold black masculinity so evident, the PAM00026 is the Ultimate Re-Issue.

pic courtesy of www.panerai.com