The new from SIHH 2016 Panerai Luminor 8 Days Set PAM 786 includes two of our favorite all time Panerais. The set, available in a limited edition of 500 pieces contains two watches inspired by models created in the pre-Vendôme era. According to the history of the brand, pre-vendome refers to the time from 1993 —the year of the first collection made for the public— to 1997, the year in which Panerai was acquired by Vendôme, part of the Richemont Group. In those years, a very small number of watches were produced and they quickly became highly sought after in the collector’s market. Along with the Luminor Black Seal Left-Handed —Destro— 8 Days PAM 649 we have here, the other watch supplied in the special box set is the Panerai Luminor 8 Days Daylight PAM 650 —you can read and see our live pictures of it here. By the way, while the watches have their own individual PAM reference numbers, they are not sold individually and only as a set.

Since we are big fans of Panerai Destro watches, we cam prepared with our own Panerai Luminor Marina Destro PAM 26K we reviewed here. Here's a shot alongside the new Panerai Luminor Black Seal Left-Handed Destro PAM 649 from the PAM 786 box set

The two watches are supplied in a box inspired by those used for vintage Luminor watches, made of pear wood with a teak base and containing a model of the 'Siluro a Lenta Corsa' —human slow speed torpedo—, together with a rare publication about the military equipment of the special forces of the Royal Italian Navy, in which Panerai watches and instruments appear.

The Luminor Black Seal Left-Handed —Destro— 8 Days PAM 649 blackened version with the winding crown and the lever device protecting it on the left side of the 44 mm case of the historic Luminor Black Seal designed for those 'left-handed' divers wearing their watches on the right hand and their compasses on the left. While many thought that this new watch was sporting the now long gone black PVD cases from Panerai we are happy to say that the case is not PVD but blackened DLC —diamond like carbon. A new process that prevents the black cases from becoming a scratch magnet as soon as you wear the watch. Between the usual Panerai black PVD coating and the new DLC coating there's very little variation in hue, still maintaining its gunmetal gray appearance rather than black.

The watch is powered by the new manual wound Panerai calibre P.5000 with a power reserve of 8 days, thanks to its two barrels and 127 components. Unfortunately the calibre is not visible as the watch is fit with a screwed-on solid case backs; however, fortunately, the solid case backs was designed to replicate the old school looking Pre-Vendome Panerai era in a flawless way.

The Panerai Luminor Black Seal Left-Handed —Destro— 8 Days comes with a calf Ponte Vecchio dark brown strap with contrast stitching and equipped with a Pre-Vendome looking buckle sewn-in to the straps.

On the wrist, the watch wears just like any other Panerai Luminor Destro in 44 mm. Comfortable, stealthy and with a very unique wrist presence.

Sticker Price $20,500 USD for the box set. The watches are not sold individually. For more info on Officine Panerai click here.