Panerai launched this year three new chronographs in the Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge. Since I couldn’t decide which one is my favourite, I decided to have a more careful look at all three timepieces. While the “triplets” share the same base DNA, they have different case materials, powerful and distinctive personalities. A big thank you to Panerai Germany, that made possible to have the pieces at once. This is a descriptive review with more than 50 images, all available in the gallery (at the end of the article). Each of the images has explanations in the caption.
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge
The 44mm series of the Yachts Challenge collection was enriched this year with the titanium PAM00764, the black ceramic PAM00788 and the precious Goldtech™ PAM01020. The watches share the design of the Panerai Luminor Collection, with small differences in appearance. The watches are powered by the brand’s first manufacture automatic movement with chronograph functions – P9100. Before going more into the details, let’s have a look at the hands-on and wrist roll videos with each of the timepieces.
The first in hands is the Panerai PAM00764:
The next victim of my curiosity was the interesting, all black Panerai PAM00788:
The last but not least is the precious PAM01020:
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00764
The PAM764 is manufactured in titanium. The case bears a nice satin brushed finish that fits excellent the marine theme. Only the bezel features a mirror polish. The buckle is manufactured in titanium, to match the case.
I find the PAM764 one of the cutest of all three variants. Personally, I am a fan of titanium and the blue detail on the chrono pushers are nice.
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00788
The Panerai PAM788 is manufactured in high-tech ceramic (zirconium oxide – ZrO2). This material is isostatically pressed. The final shape of the case is obtained by grinding, in a separate process. The ceramic compound and the manufacturing process offer an increased resistance, up to five times higher as the normal stainless steel. The ceramic is well known for its resistance to scratches. Panerai also promises a high resistance to shocks.
The PAM788 has an overall matt finish including the crown and the chrono pushers. This watch has simple matt button pushers, without the “S” and “R/F” engraving found on the metal counterparts. The watch is also very light. The tactile feedback is pleasant. The watch has an interesting presence.
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM01020
The third piece from the series is manufactured from a gold alloy called Goldtech™. This metal composition is rich in copper, from which the specific red hue. The alloy also contains platinum: it keeps a nice shade of the gold and protects the entire alloy from oxidation.
I love the pushers engraving on the metal variants. While PAM788 has the simplest selection of finishes, the watch gains a bit of character in its all black seriosity. It was unexpected to find, that my wife finds the PAM788 the most attractive from all three. So I guess it is just a matter of personal preference, since all pieces are equally interesting. Only the price reminds of the case’s nature.
A flyback chrono dial
The Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge has almost identical dials on all three pieces. Just like the case, the dial of each piece has a small “deviation” that brings even more individuality.
The dial has a typical sandwich construction. The PAM764 and PAM788 share most of the characteristics: blue details and white printing. The PAM764 features the tachymeter scale on the inclined inner bezel, while on the other two, the register is printed on the dial.
As individuality, the PAM788 feature black hands for the time display. The chronographic function share with PAM764 the blue central seconds, the white minute hand and the blue hand of the 12 hours chrono counter.
The precious PAM1020 features gilded accents on the hands and on the dial printing. It is amazing how so similar watches are, still can be so different. All three have the same base design but a strong individuality and personality.
The in-house calibre P9100
All three timepieces presented today are powered by the in-house movement P9100. The calibre is an automatic movement developed and manufactured by Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. The movement looks very compact and robust.
The movement is beautifully decorated. The brushing is the most evident decoration. But the calibre has a circular Geneva stripe and chamfered bridges. The 4Hz movement is fitted with two spring barrels in series, reaching a power reserve of 72 hours. Impressive for a self-winding movement.
The movement is also impressive from the technical point of view. The central minutes’ counter jumps forward with every 60 seconds. Plus the movement is a vertical clutch and column wheel flyback configuration, permitting the running hands to be returned instantaneously to zero and restarted without first having to stop them.
The calibre P9100 allow an instant hour change. See the videos above. Plus, for a more precise time setting, the movement is provided with hacking seconds.
Final impressions
I have still not found which is my favourite from this line. Each of the presented pieces has its own individuality. Even if the price will be the same for all three, it would still be indecisive.
The titanium version offers lovely blue accents. Not only on the dial but also on the chrono pushers. The inner bezel bears the nautical tachymeter. The dial is clean and offers, besides good legibility, a lovely appearance.
The PAM788 offers an all-black theme, including the hands. Its matt look is alluring. The dial’s contrast is amazing.
The PAM1020 is the precious gem in this line. The compelling red-gold shade of the case is completed harmoniously by the gold accents present on the dial. The sunray dark blue dial is amazing.
To short the suffering:
- what I like:
- PAM764’s blue accents present on the pushers and the inner bezel
- PAM788’s matt all black ceramic and the black time’s hands that highlight the chronographic function
- PAM1020’s sunray blue dial that goes fantastic with the gold accents
- what I didn’t like:
- PAM764 would look great with a sunray dial? I am not sure… I think the lack of points against it makes it a favourite.
- PAM788’s look seems poor in comparison with the other two
- PAM1020’s gold case is a bit too much for an everyday watch.
- all three: the pushers are a bit hard to use.
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge Technical Specifications and Price
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00764
Automatic mechanical, P.9100 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 8.15 mm thick, 37 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 302 components.
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph flyback, seconds reset
CASE
Diameter 44mm, brushed titanium
BEZEL
Polished titanium
BACK
Screw, titanium. Engraved
DIAL
Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Chronograph hour counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock and central chronograph seconds and minute hands
WATER RESISTANCE
“10 bar (~100 metres)”
STRAP
– 24/22.0 Standard
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00764 has a price tag of SFr. 13’000 (incl. tax), 12.900€ (incl. tax) or 13,300$ (excl. tax).
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00788
MOVEMENT
Automatic mechanical, P.9100 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 8.15 mm thick, 37 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 302 components.
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph flyback, seconds reset
CASE
Diameter 44mm, black ceramic
BEZEL
Black ceramic
BACK
Screw, titanium with black coating. Engraved
DIAL
Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Chronograph hour counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock and central chronograph seconds and minute hands.
WATER RESISTANCE
“10 bar (~100 metres)”
STRAP
– 24/22.0 Standard
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM00788 has a price tag of SFr. 15’700 (incl. tax), 15.500€ (incl. tax) or 15,900$ (excl. tax).
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM01020
MOVEMENT
Automatic mechanical, P.9100 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 8.15 mm thick, 37 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 302 components.
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph flyback, seconds reset
CASE
Diameter 44mm, brushed Goldtech™
BEZEL
Polished Goldtech™
BACK
See-through sapphire crystal with special metalization
DIAL
Blue sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Chronograph hour counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock and central chronograph seconds and minute hands
WATER RESISTANCE
“5 bar (~50 metres)”
STRAP
Beige 24/22.0 Standard
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge PAM01020 has a price tag of SFr. 28’000 (incl. tax), 27.500€ (incl. tax) or 28,300$ (excl. tax).
Panerai Luminor Yachts Challenge Gallery
