Panerai PAM 00168 Luminor Chrono Reggata 2003

Finally got my Internet again. The problem is that the ADSL in the house is built into the house and who ever design the system fail to take into account how hot summer in Taiwan can get. Combine this with poor cooling and ventilation, the ADSL shuts down when it gets too hot. Anyway, with summer over and the weather cooling down, this should not be a problem (I hope). 

Anyway, the past week has indeed been a very interesting one. I will start with this watch. I had the pleasure of seeing and handling this watch from Panerai. Sadly I forgot to bring my camera with me. The Panerai Luminor Chrono Reggata 2003 Special Edition. Let me say from the onset that this watch is just awesome. 

The case back is engraved with the Laureus Award May 2003. You can see how the two parts of the bracelet is held together.

Photograph: Panerai

The watch was launched in 2003 as part of the Special Edition collection from Panerai. It is to celebrate the Laureus Regatta for that year. The watch is not the normal 44 mm that we are used to. This watch comes in at a petite 40 mm. It has a titanium case (brushed) and fitted with a polished stainless steel bezel. The watch is powered by an ETA 7753 based OP XII calibre. So the watch has the nice tri-compax design that I like. 

The unique aspect of the watch is the colour of the dial and the orange/ yellow colour of the  Arabic hour index and hands. Even in bright daylight, you can see how luminous the indexes and hands are. Photographs does not do it justice.

This watch which I had a look at, has not been worn by the owner. He bought the watch and it has been kept in the box. It is just great. The watch comes with the Panerai bracelet which itself is unique as it is made of titanium and steel. Each link is made of two parts, a brushed titanium base, overlapped with a polished steel link and screwed together. I really like the bracelet (even though early bracelets had issues with the screws that hold the parts together coming apart).

The watch is not heavy and is very comfortable when worn. Even with the metal bracelet, it does not feel heavy. This even with the steel parts attached to the watch. The watch basic specifications:

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date (quick set button at 10 o'clock), chronograph

Case: titanium, 40 mm diameter

Movement: OP XII automatic, COSC

Crystal: sapphire, 2.5 mm thick

Water resistant: 10 ATM

Photographs of the beautiful dial and indexes.

The dial looks like it is black but it is actually blue. The hour index at the 12 o'clock position is larger as compared to the rest of the indexes. The hands are also rendered in blue. Indeed a beautiful watch. 

Photographs: owner