Panerai Luminor 1950 Rattrapante

For us vintage snobs, modern Panerai can be a tricky subject. They’re either a home-run, or, well…the opposite. This beauty, the PAM00213, is very much the former. A complicated timepiece by Panerai’s early tool watch standards, the PAM00213 retains the brand’s famed Luminor case profile, including the locking crown protection device. On top of standard timing functions, it adds a split-second chronograph function--- a complication rarely touched outside of the high horology sector. Slightly unconventional, this system is nevertheless extremely simple to operate as well as highly legible.  Housed in a 44mm brushed stainless steel Luminor case with a crown protection device, dual pump pushers, a smooth, polished bezel, and a sapphire crystal, it features a luminous black ‘sandwich’ dial with ‘Arabic’ and ‘dash’ indices, a lumed ‘baton’ handset, a running seconds register at 9 o'clock, and a counter at 3 o'clock.  Powering this serious timing instrument is a robust automatic Panerai caliber visible through an exhibition caseback, while a black rubber strap completes the package. Accompanied by its factory goodies, this is a beautiful example of a contemporary Panerai that applies modern horological tech to a vintage-inspired package.