Continuing with our hands-on reviews of all the novelties presented at the SIHH 2015, here we have a pair of new timepieces from Panerai that are very special. We are talking about the new Officine Panerai Radiomir 1940 Equation of Time 8 Days in stainless steel PAM 516 and its counterpart the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days also in stainless steel PAM 601. Both watches display the sophisticated complication called the “equation of time” via a linear indicator on the dial located at 6 o'clock. The difference between the mean time indicated by a watch and the true time indicated by the solar meridian is called the “equation of time” and it is the result of the combination of the Earth’s inclination and its elliptical orbit. The linear equation of time indicator displays this difference in time and it is set automatically when the date and the month are set on the watch. The date and month are indicated at 3 while the running seconds are at 9 o'clock. While the Radiomir 1940 Equation of Time 8 Days PAM 516 is fitted with a generous stainless steel case measuring 48 mm in diameter, its counterpart the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days PAM 601 is fitted with a slightly smaller case also in stainless steel measuring 47 mm in diameter and equipped with the traditional Luminor series Panerai patented crown protecting device. Both watches feature a beautiful black matte sandwich dial and 'ecru' superluminova and highly polished cases.
Both watches are powered by the same calibre, the Panerai in-house manual wound calibre P.2002/E with 328 parts, 31 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of reserve 8 days cleverly indicated on the back of the movement. Both watches are fitted with a display case back that provides full visibility of the movement and water resistance up to a 100 meters.
While the Radiomir 1940 PAM 516 is equipped with a black alligator strap, the Luminor 1950 PAM 601 comes on a very nice brown alligator strap. Both watches are fitted with Panerai deployant buckles.
On the wrist, the watch wears spectacularly nice and true to its size. It is really hard to tell the size difference between the Radiomir 1940 PAM 516 and the Luminor 1950 PAM 601 because of the crown protective device. If you ask us which one we like better we'd have to say that the Luminor 1950 has some extra wow factor with its legendary crown protector.
Sticker Price $22,000 USD for PAM 516 and $23,000 USD for PAM 601. For more info on Panerai click here.
