Officine Panerai Ferrari California Flyback Chronograph watch goes on sale

The Italian watch maker has just revealed its new Panerai Ferrari California flyback chronograph watch that celebrates the recent introduction of the red-hot Ferrari California cabriolet.

As you can see on the photos, the watch comes wrapped in a 45mm stainless steel case with a cushion-shaped profile and with brushed surfaces contrasting nicely with polished elements on the lugs and case corners.

The new Panerai Ferrari California watch comes powered by a rather average OP XIX self-winding movement.

Based on the well-known to the watch-collecting crowd ETA Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement, the OP Caliber XIX beats at a standard frequency of 28,800 vph.

The Swiss made movement, which is officially certified as a chronometer by COSC (Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres,) also offers a coulisse-lever switcher for its chronograph mechanism, which simplifies the watch and makes it cheaper to manufacture, but also makes it slightly inferior to classic chronos that sported column-wheel design.

All that said it is ridiculous that the timepiece will sell at a recommended street price of $12,000. Indeed, vanity is just another kind of tax.

Its three-dimensional dial with black and red color theme features the “Ferrari” and “California” insignias (I guess, those add about $5000 to the grand total) and a pair of sub-dials on 3 and 9 o’clock.

The one at 9 o’clock features a subsidiary seconds hand and the other, which is placed symmetrically at 3 o’clock, is reserved for a 30-minute chronograph counter. As always, the chronograph seconds hand is positioned right in the center, also working as a tachymeter indicator.

While most modern chronographs have their tachymeter scales printed right on the bezel, this one is printed on the bezel flange, under the thick sapphire crystal.

The famous “Prancing Horse” logo you can see on the winding crown is complemented with the same emblem engraved on the movement’s rotor.

The special edition model is limited to just 400 units.

Photos: Panerai

Officine Panerai Ferrari California Flyback Chronograph watch specification :

Price range: $12,000
Movement: Automatic, OP Caliber XIX, based on ETA Valjoux 7750, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Complications: Flyback chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Case diameter: 45 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black alligator leather with contrasting stitching and a brushed-steel buckle. A spare rubber strap included
Crystal: Convex sapphire crystal with antireflective coating