SIHH 2015: Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica (Updated with Live Photo and Price)

The flyback function offered by the P.9100 caliber instantly zeroes the chronograph hands and restarts them with the push of a single button. This chronograph is unusual in that it uses only two hands, both centrally mounted. The blued hand counts the chronograph seconds, and the rhodium-plated hand tallies the chronograph minutes. The continuous seconds appear on the dial at 9 o’clock.

To maintain the integrity of Panerai’s trademark lever-based crown protection device, the chronograph pushers are located on the 9 o’clock side of the case. The button at 10 o’clock starts and stops the chronograph, and the button at 8 o’clock handles the flyback and reset operations.

The 44-mm Panerai Luminor 1950 case is fashioned from synthetic ceramic based on zirconium oxide, which is up to five times harder than steel but substantially lighter in weight. The material is also highly resistant to scratches, corrosive agents and high temperatures. Synthesizing the case material is a difficult process. Each case component is individually molded from black zirconium powder that undergoes multiple stages of working and firing over a three day period, first at a low temperature (about 100º C or 212º F) and then at a higher temperature (up to 1,500º C or 2,732º F). The final stage involves finishing the components to assure precise dimensions, and then bead blasting to create the matte finish. The completed case offers 100-meter water resistance.

The caseback features a large porthole in sapphire crystal that reveals the P.9100 automatic winding caliber inside. The movement was completely developed and made in the Officine Panerai manufacture. The caliber features a column-wheel switching mechanism and a vertical clutch – two hallmarks of a fine chronograph movement. Twin spring barrels connected in series provide a three-day power reserve. The variable inertia balance wheel oscillates at 28,800 vph, or 4 Hz.

This Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica is supplied with a natural, untreated leather strap (shown above) and a second strap made of rubber. The titanium buckle has a black coating to match the appearance of the watch, and it is easily replaceable using the screwdriver supplied.

The Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica – 44 mm will be available in July 2015 and priced at 15,700 euros. Below, you can see what it looks like on the wrist.