SIHH 2010: Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Ceramica 44mm P2003 (PAM335)

Like the recently introduced IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic watch (Ref. IW3766), the new Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Ceramica has its 44 mm case made of zirconium oxide.

Unlike the competitors, the Italian brand stayed true to the watch’s concept of extreme hardness and ruggedness and used the same scratch-resistant material for both the case and the bezel.

Well, to be precise, the screw-down case back cover is made of titanium, but the rear side of the case is not exactly the most scratch-prone part of any watch, is it?

I mean, you can always choose where to put your watch before going to bed and, while the watch sits on your wrist, the case back is protected from hard objects and sharp angles with your body.

Inside the classic-shaped body is hidden the well-known P.2003 automatic movement.

Sporting three mainspring barrels that provide it with its monstrous 240 hours (10 days!) of power reserve, the movement is literally stuffed with complications allowing the watch to display not only the usual hours and minutes, but also a second time zone with a 24-hour indicator, day/night indicator, date and small seconds counter at 9 o’clock.

It also displays a linear power reserve indicator, which is, to be fair, my favorite type.

As usual, the movement is very laconic in its decor, but it is still clearly visible, that it is finished with extreme care and attention to details.

Only 500 watches will be sold. There is still no info about the price, but expect it to soar well above the $30,000 mark.

UPDATE. Okay, we now know that the watch retails at around $21,000 (give or take.) That’s the good news. The bad news is that most retailers offer it at a 20 per cent premium, since the watch proved an instant hit.

UPDATE 2: I have just found a short (around 70 seconds) video that gives the idea of the inner workings of the Caliber P.2003. Here, have a look at this technical marvel:

Photos: Officine Panerai

Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Ceramica 44mm P2003 PAM335 watch specification

Price range: $21,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Panerai P.2003 Calibre, automatic, 296 parts, 31 mm in diameter, 8.00 mm thick, 25 jewels, in-house
Complications: Power reserve indicator, date, second time zone, day-night indicator, seconds reset
Power reserve: 240 hours (10 days)
Case material: Ceramic
Bezel material: Ceramic
Case shape: Cushion
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Case size: 44.0 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Hands: Black
Strap: Black leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, corundum, 2 mm thick, antireflective coating
Water resistance: 100 meters