LUMINOR 1950 REGATTA RATTRAPANTE 44 MM, DLC

The long tradition linking Officine Panerai to the yachting world is celebrated once again this year with a special edition dedicated to the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. This international vintage boat event sponsored by the Florentine company sees the most incredible yachts from years gone by, restored and returned to their ancient splendour and ready to battle it out in a series of regattas on an international circuit, with stages in both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

As in the past, just 500 numbered examples have been produced of this special limited edition watch, the Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante 44 mm, DLC (PAM00332). It is a split-second chronograph, complete with chronometer certificate, that counts down the 5 minutes to the start of the regatta. A highly specialised model and therefore a real sailor’s instrument, not just by name, but also due to its technical content.

The case of new Regatta has an unusual new design, different from the 2008 edition; the steel is no longer polished but blackened with a treatment called DLC. This stands for Diamond-Like-Carbon and means that the metal has been subjected to a process that makes it even harder and more resistant, in particular to corrosion. DLC treatment is much less prone to the scratching and streaking that often occur with other metal-burnishing procedures.

The Luminor case measures 44mm in diameter and DLC treatment has also been extended to the three buttons, winding crown and lever bridge, the latter being the strong signature feature of Luminor watches with the dual function of protecting the crown and ensuring its watertight seal. Waterproof to 100 metres (10 bars), this watch has a screw-down back plate, which is burnished and engraved with the event logo, edition year and the model's identifying numbers and production number.

The dial, covered by 2-mm thick anti-reflective sapphire glass, has a black clou de Paris background: a close-knit weave that gives an impression of depth and highlights the two Arabic numbers and the stud hour markers, luminescent like the hands except for the first of the two chronograph markers, which is blue with just a tiny luminescent point on its tip. The tachymeter scale is imprinted into the raised edge of the dial, while the five minute countdown is also highlighted in blue, shown on the minute counter square.

The Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante has automatic OP XVIII calibre movement, 13 ¼ lines in diameter, with double column wheel - distinctive elements of high-quality rattrapante chronographs. The rattrapante or split-second chronograph allows timing of two events starting at the same time, thanks to a second hand that can be stopped and then realigned with the first while the latter continues its course. The third button, at 8 o’clock, stops and realigns the second hand. With its polished decorated surfaces and levers, the Regatta movement also has official C.O.S.C. certification.

The new Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante has a leather strap with burnished buckle bearing the Panerai logo. It comes complete with a spare strap that can be fitted with the tool provided.