In part one of our SIHH Panerai chronograph rewind, the Radiomir 1940 took the spotlight; this time, the star is Panerai's Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante Left-Handed 8 Days Titanio (PAM00579).
Pardon our carpal tunnel syndrome, but henceforth, we'll shorthand this massive moniker as “Monopulsante.”
The Monopulsante packs a stacked deck of features worthy of a watch with a 51-character name. Panerai's stunning 1950 case is the opening act of a loaded playbill. The titanium's featherweight belies the magnum-scale 47mm case. However, the singular feature that seizes and rivets one's attention is the polished titanium that graces all surfaces of the case.
Quite simply, polishing is a treatment of Ti that watchmakers scarcely ever attempt, but the result on the Monopulsante is breathtaking. Polished titanium is hard to execute in series production and defies industrial mass-production techniques.
Like all Panerai models, the Monopulsante chronograph watches for men sport a style that dovetails the physical traits of historic replica watches and contemporary sports models. A “tramezzino” or “sandwich” dial features a luminescent base over which a partly skeletonized cover is placed; the apertures in the cover blaze at night. Panerai's signature (and patent-protected) Luminor compression crown is present as ever, but this model features two departures from the familiar formula.
First, the Destro case style means that the crown migrates to the left side of the case to provide unobstructed access to the chronograph monopusher. Second, the crown and its protective structure are finished in brushed titanium to contrast with the case.
The Monopulsante's drivetrain matches the audacity of the case. An in-house chronograph movement features every feature expected of a premium chrono: a crisp column wheel function cycler; a zero-jump vertical clutch for clean starts and stops; a three-barrel movement with eight days of reserve; and a 4hz escapement for maximum accuracy.
Uncommon refinements include the instantaneous “jumping minute” chronograph hand that ensures no “in-between” confusion when reading the register; and the reset-to-zero hacking feature that zeroes the seconds hand when the crown is pulled. The power-reserve indicator is hidden behind the watch under the sapphire case back.
The Monopulsante is a 300-unit, limited-production model, so members of the Florentine manufacturer's fiercely loyal Paneristi will have to move fast!
