AND YET IT MOVES…

While this timepiece presented by the Italian brand at the SIHH stands out through its many complications, what really attracts attention is the date display. We take a closer look!

The Astronomo sounds like the title of a novel by the scholarly Umberto Eco, but is in fact an exceptional timepiece made by Panerai and dedicated to the genius, Galileo. Its real name is Luminor Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT, which summarises the complications driven by the calibre. The watch, however, has mysteries that only the lucky few can appreciate. So, although the dial is revealed by an admirable skeleton effect, the attentive observer looking at the various time features will notice that the date counter is particularly unusual. You can see the date, but you can’t see any disc that the date might be placed on! To prevent the disc – which is in fact there – from covering part of the dial’s components, the watchmakers from Panerai have made use of optical effects on hi-tech materials. The result? The figures are invisible except when they are lined up with the date counter. A polarised glass placed above the disc displays them with perfect clarity.

The customisation options also involve the case (50mm wide!) and the colour of the hands. If you don’t fancy the polished titanium, Panerai gives you option of changing it for red gold or white gold. Whatever your final choice, the hand-wound P.2005/GLS movement guarantees a generous four days of power reserve. There is no occult science behind the performance, since it is provided with the help of two barrels.

Price: 199,000 EUR (titanium version)

By Dan Diaconu