The new L'Astronomo - Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT from Officine Panerai is a creation dedicated to Galileo Galilei.
Inside the iconic Luminor 1950 case is a coming together of technical prowess that demonstrate the ability of the Florentine brand to the highest degree.
Some of you may recall the first Panerai L'Astronomo, presented in 2010 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the celestial observations made by Galileo as a result of the invention of the telescope. It was the first timepiece created by Panerai with a tourbillon regulator, calendar, equation of time indication and the display of the times of sunrise and sunset.
The new L’Astronomo is made-to-order, and the skeletonised movement, the P.2005/GLS (standing for Galileo Luna Scheletrato), can be personalised to operate in accordance with the geographical coordinates of a place chosen by the client.
It provides the same range of remarkable functions as the first L'Astronomo as listed above, specified GMT as just explained and two other innovations: indication of the phases of the moon, and an original system for displaying the date using polarised crystals.
It was through Galileo, following the invention of the telescope, who made revolutionary discoveries concerning the appearance and the movement of the moon. Therefore a timepiece dedicated to the Italian scientist, with a moon phase indication, seemed like the most logical celebration of his discoveries.
On the case back is a day/night indicator which also clearly displays the phases of the moon, by means of a system consisting of two superimposed discs which rotate in combination.
Through the skeletonized movement and the absence of a dial, the hand-wound P.2005/GLS calibre also has the characteristic Panerai tourbillon escapement, which can be admired both from the front as well.
A traditional date disc would have obscured key elements intended to be exposed in the skeletonized display. And it was the Laboratorio di Idee at the Manufacture in Neuchâtel that designed an innovative system – pending patent by Panerai – in which the date disc is made of borosilicate glass and the numbers of the days have laser-modified optical properties.
The numbers are virtually invisible in all positions except for the one that is aligned with the little date window, where a further polarized crystal, situated above the date disc, causes the number to appear so that it is perfectly legible.
In the system patented by Panerai, the tourbillon’s rotation is different from that of the classic tourbillon. The cage of the balance rotates continuously on itself, to correct any alterations caused by gravity and possible friction. In this innovative mechanism patented by Panerai, the cage rotates on an axis at right angles to the balance, not parallel with it. Also, while the traditional tourbillon rotates once in one minute, that of the P.2005/GLS rotates once in 30 seconds, and its rotation can be seen by an indicator in the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. The higher speed and the particular arrangement of the mechanism mean that any possible alterations of rate are effectively compensated, resulting in more accurate timekeeping.
The new L’Astronomo - Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT can further be customized to individual desires, whether it is a red gold or a white gold case, or the brushed titanium case of the basic version of the L'Astronomo for a more sporty and functional appearance.
