Panerai PAM00371

As my collection is drawing to a close, I ask myself what would I look for in my next watch. I want to get a watch with a tri-compax (Mickey Mouse) dial layout. I know that there are many fine watches out there with this design like the Omega Moon watch, the Rolex Daytona or even the Zenith Chronograph. 

Given a choice, I would really like to get a Panerai with the Zenith movement, but these watches are rare and very hard to find. Anyway, the next best complication that I like is that of the GMT or dual time function. I do know that Panerai offers the PAM00321 Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic 44 mm, and I do like the watch. It would be nice if they offered it in a 1950 Submersible case. 

And this year, Panerai has made that dream come true in the PAM00371 Luminor Submersible 1950 Regatta 3 Days GMT Automatic Titanio 47 mm. This watch has all that I like in a Panerai. Limited edition (500 units), 47 mm (the new 44 mm according to many), GMT complication, Power Reserve on the back (which is great as I don't like it on the dial), in-house movement and all these in a Submersible 1950 case. 

Of course the chances of me getting one lies somewhere between zero and naught as the watch retails for USD 11,900, a tad out of my league. Even if it is, I am sure all the 500 pieces are already spoken for. 

More about the watch:

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9001 calibre, 13¾ lignes, 7.9 mm thick

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds (9 o'clock), date 3 o'clock), second time zone, power reserve indicator on the back, seconds reset, calculation of immersion time

Case: Diameter 47 mm, brushed titanium

Bezel: Brushed titanium with polished edges, anti-clockwise unidirectional rotating bezel with graduated scale for calculating the time of immersion and ratchet click at minute intervals

Device protecting the crown: Brushed titanium

Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 2.9 mm thick with Anti-reflective coating, back with see-through sapphire crystal

Water-resistance: 30 ATM

The watch.

Photographs: Panerai

Panerai have been issuing the Regatta model since 2000, all limited edition. The past models:

2000: PAM00081 Luminor Automatic Montecarlo 2000 (200 pieces)

2001: PAM00107 Luminor Marina Regatta 2001 (500 pieces)

2002: PAM00156 Luminor GMT Regatta 2002 (300 pieces)

2003: PAM00168 Luminor Chrono Regatta 2003 (399 pieces). I have seen this watch and it is beautiful. 

2004: PAM00199 Luminor Submersible Regatta 2004 (500 pieces). Another pieces I have seen.

2005: PAM00222 Luminor Power Reserve Regatta 2005 (500 pieces)

2006: PAM00253 Luminor 1950 Flyback Regatta 2006 (500 pieces)

2007: PAM00286 Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante (500 pieces). Starting this year, the year designation has been dropped.

2008: PAM00308 Luminor Regatta Chronograph (500 pieces) 

2009: PAM00332 Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante (500 pieces)

2010: PAM00343 Radiomir Regatta one/eighth second (500 pieces). First time the Radiomir is used. 

Photographs: Panerai