Discontinued Pieces
Instant Rarity
I only bought one Panerai in 2002, the PAM 117 Luminor Marina Destro in titanium. I boguht it for several reasons; I like the new Histrorical manual wind range, with the "new" movement and crystal backs. I like the "tool" look of the brushed titanium. I am left-handed. And finally, but not least, the Ti Destro is the smallest production of any of the regular collection. A total of 300 destros, in steel and titanium were made for the E, 2002 series. I guess this means that perhaps 100-150 117s were made.
The 117 is no more, basically in order to "lighten" the titanium family, to avoid an excessive number of references in the current collection.
And an instant collectible has been born, far more limited than many of the official limited editions. And I own one, muuwuhahahahahahaha!
40mm Chronographs
The 40mm chronographs are also in trouble. Zenith, the manufacturers of the El Primero base for the OP IV movement, are owned by LVMH. Despite continuing good relations between Zenith and Panerai, the various owners of movement makers across the industry are withdrawing from supplying movements outside their own group (c.f. the Swatch Group, owners of ETA and Lemania). So Panerai have a small stock of OP IV which they will be running down over the next few months, after which that's it. The PAM 121 and PAM 122 grey-dialled chronographs announced last year are not featured in this year's catalogue, only the PAM 72 and 74 remain. Additionally, it has to be said that the new 44mm chronograph is substantially cheaper than its 40mm siblings, presumably a result of differing costs in the base ebauche, and even if production of the OP IV had continued, it would have been a hard sell.
Zenith also provide the OP VII movement used in the Radiomir line. I understand that this will no longer be used either, and that there is something new in the works.