Officine Panerai

A look at the Panerai 396 Luminor 1950 Toubillon GMT Ceramica

In 2007, Panerai introduced their first in-house tourbillon, the PAM 276 Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT with the p.2005 movement. The 276 had a stainless steel 47mm case with a transparent caseback that showed off the rotation of the tourbillon cage. Even more impressive was that Panerai offered this in 100 pieces for 2007.

Then in 2008, Panerai continued their tourbillon collection with the introduction of the PAM 306 Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT with a brown sandwich dial and alternating brushed and polished titanium case. Along with the PAM 306, Panerai added a tourbillon to the Radiomir collection by introducing the PAM 315. The PAM 315 Radiomir Tourbillon GMT also had a 48mm titanium case with a brown sandwich dial.

Panerai presented the PAM 330 and PAM 331 in 2009, which were the same models as the ones introduced in 2008 but offered it in different materials. PAM 330 Radiomir was made in pink gold.

The Panerai tourbillons for 2010 were radical with the introduction of the PAM 348 Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica with skeletonized dial and movement. The second complication for 2010 was the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time Tourbillon. At 50mm in diameter, the PAM 365 displayed the equation of time on a linear indicator, date, month, a sunrise and sunset set indicator on the lower left and right corners of the dial, and a start chart on the rear. Both of these watches were offered in a limited edition of 30 pieces.

For 2011 Panerai debuted the PAM350 Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica which was basically the PAM348 skeletonized dial and movement but with a ceramic case. It also had some small differences in the color of the hands.

For 2012, Panerai brought out the PAM 396 Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Ceramica. The PAM 396 still uses the in-house, hand-wound P.2005 movement.

Here's a video of the PAM 396:

On the dial side of the PAM 396, there is a subdial at the 9 o'clock position for the seconds. Inside this dial is a circular black dial with 5 dots that is connected to the tourbillon and moves twice as fast as the seconds hand. This circular dial makes a rotation every 30 seconds. At the 3 o'clock position is the am/pm indicator and has a hand that makes one rotation every 24 hours for the GMT.

The black ceramic case is 47mm in diameter and feels light on the wrist. Viewing the P.2005 tourbillon movement from the transparent caseback, you can see the blackened movement plates with the gold trimmed 6 day power reserve indicator. 3 spring barrels provides a nice long power reserve of 6 days.

The tourbillon cage rotates on an axis parallel to the the base of the movement at right angles to the axis of oscillation of the balance. The tourbillon is made of 239 components and makes two rotations per minute. It's probably easier to show you this video of the tourbillon movement rather than trying to explain the function:

As you can see from the first video I posted, the PAM 396 comes with a blackened deployant buckle. I wonder if this blackened deployant is available from the boutique because I think it would look nice on the PAM 441 Ceramica.

So which tourbillon do you like in the Panerai collection? If you had to pick one which would be your favorite? To me the coolest is the PAM 350 with the skeletonized movement.

Regards,
ED-209

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re: 396

By: DRMW : August 19th, 2012-15:21

Thanks for the pics, great photos and video! I had a chance to see the ceramicas and really like the 441! -MW

That was my favorite from SIHH 2012

By: ED209 : August 24th, 2012-17:14

I really like the 441 too. I'm trying to see if the blackened deployant from the PAM 396 is available because I would pair it up with the 441. Regards, ED-209

Thanks for the quick PAM396 Tourbillon review Ed

By: AnthonyTsai : August 23rd, 2012-15:22

My personal favorite Panerai tourbillon is the PAM350 Radiomir Skeleton as well. I feel these Luminor Tourbillons are too subtle since you can't really tell that it's a tourbillon watch from a distance on one's wrist. Cheers, Anthony

It would be cool to have the tourbillon displayed on the dial side

By: ED209 : August 24th, 2012-17:15

Or having that skeletonized movement would help. Thanks for checking out the report on the 396. Regards, ED-209

dial side viewing

By: LLZA : August 25th, 2012-03:04

I totally agree that by showcasing the tourbillon on the dial side will be very cool, but in some people's point of view, a discreet, subtle look will give the watch a everyday use feel to it. I have the PAM350, which is so beautiful, but i seldom wear, b...

I remember your PAM350

By: ED209 : August 25th, 2012-13:00

Your PAM350 is awesome. Can't wait to see pics of your 396 when you get it. Regards, ED-209

Thanks,

By: LLZA : August 27th, 2012-00:46

I can't wait till the AD tells me that the 396 is here!!! They say it is expected in November, but knowing Panerai, it will not be surprising if it only arrives around Jan/Feb.

I like all of them

By: EJames : August 24th, 2012-12:39

To answer your question, I don't know which one I like the best - I would wear any of them. However, I always find a pin buckle more comfortable than a deployant. I'm not sure why, but my PAM 312 is one of my most comfortable pieces. Thanks for the post.

Cool, I think most agree

By: ED209 : August 24th, 2012-17:16

Hi EJames, Thanks for checking out the report. I think most people with you agree that the pin buckle is more comfortable than the deployant. I have small wrists and for me the buckle protrudes out and always catches on things. Regards, ED-209

Thanks for the pics!

By: patrick_y : August 28th, 2012-01:09

Thank you for the history and photos of Panerai Tourbillons. I also especially like that blackened buckle. That's a nice buckle, thanks for pointing this out specifically.