Paneristi SIHH 2007 Report - Technical Innovations
It's all in the little things
I believe I spent just as long looking at the small refinements across the range as I did looking at the new "big bang" watches. It is in these fascinating, small yet important details that I believe Panerai confirms its commitment to its customers, and to being "in it for the long haul".
The lugs of all strap models have changed significantly. Instead of the usual screws (single ended, or in the case of A series watches, the accursed double-headed affair) there is a push button.
All these watches now come with a double ended tool ...
which breaks in half ...
The two ends of the tool are applied to the push button and the end of the pin
and the pin slides out easily. The indentation at one end is where the push button locks.
Gone are the days of cross-threaded screws, scratched cases and rich expletives. This is a simple system, but recognises that Paneristi change their straps more frequently than most, and that Panerai watches need to be maintainable and durable.
I believe that it is also true that
Fake Beany Babies?
A while back someone posted a selection of deployant clasps. Only one was "genuine" OEM, the rest were counterfeits, of alarming quality, or at least alarming similarity to the originals.
My first thought was "what kind of loser makes fake deployant clasps"? But then recognising that there are people out there who fake beanie babies, I suppose it should not be all that surprising.
As of this year the "proper" deployant clasp has Panerai markings on the inside
Perhaps this is simply decoration, but it looks more like an attempt to differentiate the real from the phoney. Alas this kind of work is always going to be an arms race with the fakers, but still a worthwhile undertaking I believe.
New Bracelet
Again, not a great photo, but the Panerai bracelet has been completely overhauled to be screwless.
Once an end pin is removed, the entire bracelet holds together like Lego, with one piece holding firm the pin that holds the next piece, that holds the pin for the next piece, and so on. Each link has a single plastic tube inside it which reduces metal-on-metal friction (evidenced in older bracelets by squeaking noises). The overall goal is not for aesthetic enhancements, but simply to improve the maintainability and lifespan of the bracelet. There is no need for loctite on screws since there are no screws, friction is greatly reduced, and overall there is a significantly decreased maintenance burden on both the end consumer, and Panerai. Neat.
Movement Bracings, Titanium Casebacks
I don't have any pictures of this new system, however titanium caseback have been significantly rethought. Movements are no longer screwed into the case, rather they are held in place by a series of gaskets (I am unclear as to whether this is only on titanium models or all models). Ti caseback now have a PVD (not black but a brassy colour) rim which sits on gaskets inside the case. The ultimate goal is to avoid titanium-titanium contact, since prolonger contact can cause two piece to effectively fuse, making it near impossible to remove a caseback. I believe this system only exists in Ti watches for now, but will be rolled out across the whole line eventually.