AnthonyTsai
[PuristS]
22937
SIHH 2013: Panerai PAM446 59mm Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica
The next Panerai I want to highlight from SIHH 2013 is Panerai's 1st pocket watch - the PAM446 which is a 59mm pocket watch made out of black ceramic. It houses the 6-day power reserve manual wind P.2005/S skeleton movement. And by the way, the "S" in P.2005/S stands for "Skeleton".
The PAM446 is a special edition of 50 pieces with a retail price of $223,500. It also comes with a stand in the shape of Panerai's famous crown protector, but sorry I don't have any pictures of the stand since it wasn't there at my showing. I don't have the exact weight of the PAM446 but it definitely was a presence in your hand - maybe weighs along the lines of a computer mouse.
In the above picture, you'll see part of the dial has a skeletonized fence pattern. This square comb pattern is not made out of ceramic but rther of nickel. You then have your GMT arrow tip hand filled with ecru colored luminova in the center of the watch (pointing at 6 o'clock), and your AM/PM indicator at the subdial at 12 o'clock followed by your seconds hand at the subdial at 6 o'clock.
Below is a video of the PAM446 in action. Be sure to see the 30-seconds tourbillon (at the 6:30 position) rotating on a perpendicular axis to that of the balance wheel. That's what makes Panerai's tourbillon different. Traditional tourbillons rotate on a parallel axis and usually have a 60-seconds rotation period.
Below is a close up picture of the black ceramic case and the crown. The color of the ceramic varies in different lighting conditions - sometimes the color appears to be light grey and sometimes pitch black.
In the above picture of the rear side, you'll see a 6-day power reserve indicator at the top.
In the below picture, you'll see the quick release button on the rear side of the pocket watch crown protector for the pocket watch chain. Simply push this pusher and the chain releases.
Next are pictures of the bracelet which is also made out of the black ceramic. The only parts of the bracelet which aren't made out of ceramic are the bracelet pins. I'm not sure what specific patent Panerai has for this bracelet but I've been told they've have a patent(s) on this bracelet construction. In any case, it's a very masculine bracelet which compliments the pocket watch.
Panerai's pocket watch is an interesting piece of engineering and obviously targeted to the man with discerning taste. It seems there's a trend for watch brands to make pocket watches for some reason. I guess there's a market for them - Richard Mille has its RM020 pocket watch and even Urwerk has one too. Maybe Panerai one day will release a future pocket watch with a skeletonized P.3000 movement? That would be a sight to see especially if they price one in the "affordable" range. I would love to stick one of these on my desk to use as my desk clock 
And finally, below is Panerai's official press video for the PAM446 Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica.
Cheers,
Anthony
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To leave comments, please go to Anthony's original post in Panerai forum, http://panerai.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-717/pi-5875088/ti-863328/s-0/
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-05-13 18:01:40
