SpotlightIn Pursuit Of Power: Introducing The Panerai Luminor Dieci Giorni GMT Timepiece

Panerai’s tryst with long power reserve feature dates back to the 1960s, when the Italian maison deployed a SF240 movement produced by Angelus with a generous eight days’ power reserve, featuring the small seconds at nine o’clock. Operating at a frequency of 18,000vph, this calibre was derived from a mechanism for small table alarm clocks but the power reserve was so impressive that there was minimum requirement for winding, thus reducing the wear and tear on gaskets, preventing the possibility of water infiltration, thereby meeting the stringent requirements of the Italian Navy.

Living up to this legacy, Panerai have launched the Luminor Dieci Giorni GMT, expanding their Luminor Complicazioni collection, which boasts high-end complications. The new timepiece highlights the brand’s rich watchmaking heritage with a focus on ‘combining striking aesthetics with practical durability’. Crafted in stainless-steel, the timepiece measures 44mm and features the signature cushion-shaped case, which is polished and pairs well with a blue sun-brushed sandwich dial. There’s a small seconds counter at nine o’clock balanced by a date window positioned right opposite at three o’clock, with a colour-coded date aperture. The dial showcases a linear power reserve display, positioned above six o’clock, and the GMT and AM/PM arrows in vibrant orange to give the watch a slightly contemporary look.

“In the new Luminor Dieci Giorni GMT, Panerai continues its legacy of technicity and innovation. With the advanced 10-day power reserve, we’re pushing the boundaries further, offering our clients a mix of enduring performance and Italian design”, says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO, Panerai in an official press statement.

Crafted in stainless-steel, the timepiece measures 44mm and features the signature cushion-shaped case, which is polished and pairs well with a blue sun-brushed sandwich dial. There’s a small seconds counter at nine o’clock balanced by a date window positioned right opposite at three o’clock, with a colour-coded date aperture

The highlight here is the gargantuan power reserve of 10 days offered by the timepiece, thanks to the P.2003 calibre—the first automatic movement developed in-house by the Italian casa at their manufacture in Neuchatel, Switzerland. This powerhouse contains 296 components and 25 jewels, along with a free-sprung balance wheel with inertia regulation, and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800vph. It has three spring barrels, a GMT function with 24-hour indication, rapid adjustment of local time, and seconds reset device. However, the enormous energy reserve is attained as the watch is wound automatically by an oscillating weight mounted on a ball bearing, which winds the springs of the barrels as it rotates in both directions.

The dial showcases a linear power reserve display, positioned above six o’clock, and the GMT and AM/PM arrows in vibrant orange to give the watch a slightly contemporary look

The highlight here is the gargantuan power reserve of 10 days, thanks to the P.2003 calibre, which contains 296 components and 25 jewels, and operates at a frequency of 28,800vph

Another interesting feature is the seconds reset device, which, as implied, resets the seconds hand to zero, thereby allowing the timepiece to be synchronised with a reference time signal. And the wearer can execute this function in a fairly easy manner. One has to simply pull the winding crown to the second position, and a thin blade come into contact with the balance wheel to bring it to a halt. Simultaneously, a ‘small hammer lever moves downwards and acts on a heart-shaped cam, which instantly moves the seconds hand to the ‘zero’ position. As soon as the winding crown is returned to the normal position, the balance wheel is freed, the hammer lever is raised, thus releasing the cam, and the seconds hand resumes its normal course’, as explained in the brand note on this new timekeeper.

The movement can be admired through the exhibition caseback on turning the watch over, which is water-resistant to a guaranteed 100m, and is presented on a dark blue leather strap.