One of the more interesting pieces for 2013 from Officine Panerai is this Luminor Submersible Ceramic aka the PAM 508.   This particular Panerai is notable in that it is the first time the Luminor Submersible watch has been executed in ceramic.  Following my initial unveiling of the 508 watch two weeks ago, I will now explore the piece, its ceramic case, and other salient details, including some high-res closeup, below.
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SIHH 2013…

Like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph Cermet, but with a vintage flair — trop dial / bezel.  Also a JLC boutique-only edition.  (left,  ref. 208A57J)

SIHH 2013…

Following last year’s Deep Sea Chronograph, this three-counter chronograph movement which takes its aesthetic inspiration from the 1959 Memovox Deep Sea model is introduced in a larger (44mm) case and new material — cermet.  The high-tech case cermet (not cement!) isa material consisting of aluminium reinforced with particles of ceramic and then covered with a protective coating of ceramic –  excellent properties of lightness, resistance and stability.  As well, cermet has a great look to it — very matte and stealthy, perfect for a watch like this.

As a reminder, the chronograph operating indicator (“red dot” shown above) is inspired by the Jaeger-LeCoultre 1930s “chronoflight” onboard instrument.  It enables a diver to be able to see at a glance whether the disc shows that the chronograph is ready for use (white), in operation (white/red) or stopped (red).

Price is 10,000 Euros (about $13k at current f/x).  A trop-dial ‘vintage’ version is also being offered.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 758

SIHH 2013…

Diving now into the 2013 Audemars Piguet Novelties, here’s a new Royal Oak Offshore Diver – 42mm ceramic case & bezel, sapphire crystal on front & back, manufacture calibre 3120.   This piece, accented in orange, joins the yellow-tinted model of prior year, with a few key changes.  First, the case is done here in black ceramic (vs. last year’s forged carbon).  Secondly, this new orange-accented model has been given a sapphire crystal display back, framed in titanium, the first AP diver to get this feature.  This will provide a uninterrupted views of the excellent AP Caliber 3120 (shown below).  Also worth noting is that the water resistance — 300m — is unchanged.  Price on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Orange is set to be $21,800.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Orange

42mm ceramic case + bezel, automatic mechanical AP Caliber 3120

More info, here: http://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/watch-collection/novelties

SIHH 2013…

This new piece, the Panerai PAM 526, is very similar to the PAM 524 and PAM 525 (all three pieces comprise the entirety of the new models in the 2013 “Contemporary” collection) except it comes with a Regatta timing module built on to the automatic P.9100 caliber.  I think that the extra bits of color — note the orange split seconds hand, orange sword hand on the hour sub-dial, and the orange regatta track — will be well received.  The button at 4 o’clock (right below the crown guard–shown below) is for the regatta function, and it is also orange.

Panerai PAM 526 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio

Price $11,800

47mm brushed titanium case, automatic Panerai P.9100/R

hours, mins, secs, flyback chrono, regatta countdown, knots scale (for calculation of boat speed), seconds reset

The flange carries the scale of up to 15 minutes for the countdown to the start, with the five final minutes picked out in orange, and also the tachymeter scale expressed in knots, enabling the speed of the yacht to be measured over a defined distance.

How the Regatta Timer and Flyback Chrono work:

SIHH 2013…

Panerai PAM 364 Luminor Submersible 2,500M 3 Days Automatic Titanio

47mm brushed titanium case (polished titanium helium valve), automatic mechanical Panerai P.9000 caliber

2500 meters water resistance

Panerai P.9000

SIHH 2013…Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Automatic BRONZO…aka PAM 507.  Guess the power of bronze was too much to resist for Panerai.  The PAM 382 Bronzo (announced 2011) is the piece you want, IMHO.

High-res dial shots + specs below…
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***UPDATE:  See our In-Depth Look at the Panerai PAM 508 HERE***

SIHH 2013…Panerai 2013 here we go….I’ll start with the Special Editions, first the new ceramic PAM 508, in the Luminor Submersible line:

2013 Panerai PAM 508 Luminor Sub Ceramic Automatic

47mm black ceramic case, automatic Panerai P.9000 caliber, power reserve 3 days (2 barrels),

Strap is a nice looking distressed black leather with black titanium buckle (comes with a second interchangeable strap)

Renowned for producing specialist diving watches, Oris is proud to introduce the new Oris Aquis with mechanical depth gauge. Oris proudly states that this is the “first divers watch which measures depth by allowing water to enter the timepiece.”   So is this a “poor man’s” X-Fathoms, or an innovative dive watch all its own?  You can decide for yourself, below.
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A “new moon” will be on display at the Geneva Time Exhibition (GTE) between January 22 and 25, 2013 (concurrent with SIHH 2013).  These two new, limited edition pieces from Linde Werdelin are the first of their kind since the introduction of the original Oktopus Moon back in early 2010 (see our in-depth report here), and they look fantastic.  The moonphase by LW is, for me, one of the most significant and defining elements of the creative and bold brand and I am glad to see in these pieces that the Linde Werdelin duo has brought their superb complication in-house and into the updated Okto II line.   I will also add that this is hands-down my favorite piece by LW (save for some of the older Svend Andersen pieces) — nicely done guys.

Lots more looks and details — as well a Perpetuelle exclusive “side-by-side” with the original Okto moon — below.
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