PANERAI Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic CERAMICA

By TLex Modern diving features – none to speak of. Diving heritage – plenty. Desirability – off the charts! With its old school charms, new school case construction and sophisticated P.9100 manufacture chronograph  movement –the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica AKA the PAM580 is quite simply, stunning!



While remaining faithful to Panerai’s heritage with its classically styled 44mm cushion case, the new  Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica boasts the very latest in high-tech ceramic construction with a contemporary matte-black finish to give it a distinctly sporty look and feel.



Panerai’s Ceramica is a synthetic ceramic based on Zirconium Oxide, which is up to five times harder than steel but is substantially lighter, while remaining exceptionally resistant to scratches, corrosive agents and high temperatures – not just a pretty face, then. The PAM580 should hold up well enough, even when exposed to seawater.

The ceramic is created by a long, delicate process which transforms Zirconium powder into a black ceramic. Each of the case’s component are individually molded and undergo successive stages of working and firing – first  at a low temperature of about 100 °C and then at a higher temperature of up to 1500 °C, for about three days! Finally, the case is bead-blasted to give it its matte finish.



The two chrono-pushers have been specifically positioned on the left side of the case - at 8 o’clock (flyback, reset) and 10 o’clock (start, stop), so as not to interrupt the movement of Panerai's signature lever device that protects the crown, which in turn helps the case of the Luminor 1950 to be water-resistant to 10 bar, the equivalent of about 100 meters.



At the back of the case a is a large Sapphire crystal affording a view of the P.9100 manufacture movement, which is the first automatic chronograph caliber to be developed and made in-house by the Officine Panerai manufacture.



The Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica comes presented on a natural untreated leather strap along with a second rubber divers strap. Its buckle is in Titanium, a light, strong, hypoallergenic material to which a special black resistant coating has been applied so that it matches the watch case.