Besides the Luminor 1950 Destro 8 Days Titanio Special Edition PAM 368 that, too, was presented at the SIHH 2011, Panerai has also unveiled an even more complicated Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante Left-Handed 8 Days Titanio (PAM 345) model. Featuring its signature exterior with a cushion-shaped body and an easy-to-read dial, it was designed for left-handed people, but may also be of liking to those who sometimes feel uncomfortable with their easily recognizable XXL-sized crown guard system.
As the name implies, the new timekeeper was presented in a case crafted of brushed titanium, which is nicely accented with a mirror-polished round bezel. However, unlike the gargantuan PAM 368 model that was mentioned above, the 8 Days Titanio features a relatively compact body only 44 millimeters wide.
It is still massive, all right, but, thanks to its pair of relatively short lugs, it still can be deemed wearable even by guys with relatively thin wrists.
The PAM 345 is powered by the manufacture-made P.2004/9 movement that offers a flyback chronograph functionality and is almost identical to the P.2004 caliber that powers the PAM 344 unveiled at the same time last year.
The chronograph is a rather simple job with a single 30-minute counter at 9 hours and a central seconds hand that lacks lume but is still readable with its bright white paint.
In terms of the information representation, the only difference between the two watches is that the power reserve indicator has been moved from the dial to the rear side.
Judging by the layout of the dial and positioning of the single chronograph pusher, Panerai’s engineers didn’t spend too much time adapting the mechanism for a left-handed version. They simply turned it 180 degrees clockwise.
Probably, that was the reason behind the removal of the power reserve indicator from the face: they wanted the “Luminor Panerai” inscription to stay at its usual place at 12 o’clock.
Well, this is a nice chronograph for right-handed people, but the price will probably be very high*.
See also: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronze (PAM 382)
* UPDATE ON PRICING: Panerai plans to offer this timekeeper at a minimum recommended price of $23,000. It may seem a bit steep, but, taking into consideration that it is crafted from a high-grade titanium alloy, is equipped with a good in-house mechanism, and is just plain gorgeous (if you dig their design language, that is) its price tag is more or less justified.
Photos: Officine Panerai
Panerai Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days Titanio (PAM 345) specification
Price: $23,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, caliber Panerai P.2004/9, 31 jewels, 28,800 vph, 31.01 mm in diameter, 6.60 mm in height, three high-speed spring barrels, in-house, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, monopusher chronograph
Power reserve: 192 hours (8 days)
Case: Brushed titanium
Bezel: Polished titanium
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Dial: Brown, 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, small seconds indicator at 3 o’clock
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Brown leather and a large-size brushed titanium buckle. Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool to change the strap and a steel screwdriver
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire