RADIOMIR 1940 MINUTE REPEATER CARILLON TOURBILLON GMT: Panerai's Revolutionary Horological Marvel
Author: Kantinan Srisan | Photographer: Courtesy of Panerai
Aug 23, 2024
"From the inspirational tales of the sea emerges the pinnacle of sublime watchmaking design..."
Once again, Panerai has unveiled a masterpiece of horological artistry for connoisseurs to behold. The brand has introduced the RADIOMIR 1940 MINUTE REPEATER CARILLON TOURBILLON GMT, a timepiece that stands as the most intricate mechanical marvel ever crafted by the maison. This exceptional watch marries an exclusive Tourbillon Regulator mechanism with a remarkable Double Minute Repeater, capable of chiming the time for both the primary and secondary time zones.
The design inspiration for this extraordinary timepiece could be none other than Panerai's century-long, profound relationship with the sea, particularly for maritime navigation. This nautical heritage permeates numerous details of this latest model, including:
The Carillon
At the heart of this new timepiece lies the bespoke P.2005/MR movement, a hand-wound skeleton calibre featuring an advanced minute repeater function with superlative acoustic quality. The case, crafted from red gold, boasts a unique two-part structure that maximises the internal resonance chamber's efficiency. Most intriguingly, the 'bell chimes' are activated by pressing a button at the 8 o'clock position. Three hammers strike three gongs anchored to the movement and case, producing a harmonious blend of three distinct tones.
Double Hour and Minute Repeater
The Minute Repeater Carillon's most distinguished feature is its ability to chime the time for both the primary and secondary time zones. The second time zone is displayed on a subdial with an arrow-shaped hand, while an adjacent subdial at 3 o'clock indicates day and night. To prevent accidental activation, the chiming mechanism engages only when the button is pressed and the crown at 8 o'clock is rotated.
Tourbillon Regulator
Both the Minute Repeater and the hand-wound P.2005/MR calibre are proprietary Panerai mechanisms, resulting from over four years of rigorous research and development at the brand's Laboratorio di Idee in Neuchâtel.
The P.2005/MR incorporates Panerai's exclusive Tourbillon Regulator, allowing admirers to marvel at the intricate technology and mesmerising details of the calibre from both the front and back of the case, thanks to its skeletonised design. The standout innovation here is the tourbillon's ability to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the balance wheel, rather than parallel as in conventional designs.
Moreover, while a typical tourbillon completes one revolution per minute, Panerai's P.2005/MR accomplishes this in just 30 seconds. This accelerated rotation, combined with the mechanism's unique construction, ensures comprehensive and efficient operation, guaranteeing exceptional precision and accuracy.
Personalisation
Aesthetically, the Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT is instantly recognisable as a product of Panerai's avant-garde vision. It features the historically rich Radiomir 1940 dial, distinctive bar markers and numerals coated with Super-LumiNova®, and a case fashioned from 18-carat red gold—a material chosen for its durability, corrosion resistance, and unique ability to produce celestial tones.
Significantly, this special model is produced exclusively to order, elevating it to the realm of Special Editions. To deliver the ultimate bespoke experience, Panerai offers a Personalisation service, allowing wearers to freely select and customise various components of the timepiece. This includes options for the watch strap, hand styles, and additional special features, as well as alternative case materials beyond the standard red gold.
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