Meet the Panerai Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte

Not known as a “chronograph brand,” Panerai is challenging that preconception this year with a renewed focus on the timing complication.

The brand’s new Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte pushes the concept of the “precious metal chronograph” to eye-catching new levels through the use of its 18k Goldtech alloy, which includes high levels of copper and platinum to achieve its vivid, rose gold hue.

Here, Panerai has paired the eye-catching tone of the gold with a deep blue, sunray-brushed sandwich dial using white Super-LumiNova (glowing green) with a central chronograph seconds hand, chronograph minutes register at the three o’clock position and running seconds at the nine o’clock. The chapter ring features a printed tachymeter scale for calculating speeds over a fixed distance.

With the Luminor’s signature, oversized crown guard occupying much of the right side of the caseband, the chronograph pushers have been moved over the left, giving the watch an unconventional silhouette.

Powering the watch is Panerai’s new Calibre P.9200 automatic chronograph movement with 42-hour power reserve from a single mainspring barrel. The movement is partially obscured by an unusual caseback, made of smoked sapphire crystal with a wave motif and Officine Panerai logo applied via a metallization process.

Water resistant to 50 meters, the Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte is supplied with a color-matched blue alligator leather strap and an additional, not to mention more practical, rubber strap.

The Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte is available now via Panerai, priced $26,700 USD.

Elsewhere in watches, Richard Mille has dropped a new case shape with a mainplate capable of withstanding nearly 1,000°C.