The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante – Reference PAM00332 is a hidden gem in the massive Panerai ensemble of timepieces. Although Panerai took off like a rocket with celebrity superstars like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and other A-list superstar actors enlisted as Paneristis. They became the face of the franchise, donning their masculine-friendly and large timepieces on their muscular wrists.
It was a dream scenario for any brand to have this social media exposure even before there was any such thing as social media. However, Panerai, recently has lost a bit of its lustre for some collectors for a variety of reasons. It isn’t because Panerai is putting out any less of a product. In fact, Panerai has an impressive lineup of timepieces, that rivals any big-named brand – even Rolex or Audemars Piguet. The craftsmanship in every Panerai is exceptional, and the creativity and horological groundbreaking technologies found in a Panerai is perhaps only matched by Rolex. That puts Panerai in a small but elite group of watchmakers.
However, the Panerai competitors out there are reveling in the recent dip in Panerai popularity. Yet, collectors’ exuberance for one particular Panerai – the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante – Reference PAM00332 – is one that competitors would like to keep under wraps. This timepiece is a rare gem in the Panerai lineup. Here’s why.
The Reference PAM00332 is a Rattrapante
So, what is a Rattrapante?
Rattrapante is a French word that means “Catch Up”. It is part of a chronograph movement that allows you to calculate multiple time intervals such as different lap times in a race simultaneously. This is often referred to as split-seconds. These are independent timers that are controlled by the pushers on the side of the case.
In the case of the Rolex Daytona, there is no Rattrapante feature, and yet the chronograph has become obscenely popular in recent years with one Daytona (owned by Paul Newman) going for 17.8 million at auction. However, that timepiece likely became so expensive due to the star-studded status of being attached to the iconic actor and Daytona pioneer himself – with a timepiece that he actually wore for many years.
In this case, the Panerai reference PAM00332 is a double chronograph! Imagine how much more beloved and useful a chrono with double the powerful features would be to a die-hard chronograph connoisseur. In fact, several Rattrapante models have fetched well over a million on the auction market.
This Rolex 4113 is a vintage rattrapante – the last one Rolex manufactured. Image courtesy of hautetime.com
There Are Few Rattrapante Watchmakers Today
Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante
In this article we are going to look in depth at the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante. Besides Panerai, there are very few watchmakers that even attempt the rattrapante complication at all. There is the Patek Philippe 5370P which is priced at a quarter-million dollars. IWC has a Portugieser Rattrapante Edition which is probably the most affordable rattrapante today but it doesn’t have the same history as Panerai.
A. Lange & Söhne went the other direction with a rattrapante that starts at half a million dollars with its Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Mérite.
Rolex’s last attempt at a rattrapante was back in 1942, with the reference 4113. This rare Rolex is a collector’s dream, but is unlikely to end up in most watch owner’s collection, due to its expense and rarity. That Rolex was actually never even sold. It was given to race drivers since Rolex was heavily involved in racing from the earliest days. It fetches millions in auctions today.
The History of Rattrapante Excites Horological Homage
Adolphe Nicole was the first watchmaker to be honored with the discovery of a timepiece that could create successive measurements. However head-turning it was, it wasn’t until the famed Patek Philippe created the split seconds chronograph in a wristwatch. It took an astounding 20 years to put this timepiece into production. The impressive design operates with two chronograph modules encased in one timepiece.
Later Richard Habring, formerly of IWC, released the Pilot Doppelchronograph in the Valjoux 7750 movement. It operates with a lever and cam system which has an additional pusher which splits the sweeping hands.
For the reference PAM00332 Panerai developed the Calibre OP XVIII, which is largely based on the Valjoux 7750 that Habring made popular. It has 31 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve. It beats at a frequency of 28800. Although other brands like Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne have added additional complications to the rattrapante, Panerai continued their development with the P.2006 which was featured in the PAM 427.
The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante is One of the Most Difficult Timepieces to Assemble
Rattrapante complications are extremely difficult calibers to be put together. Only the finest watchmakers could even attempt such a feat of expert skill. For this reason, rattrapante timepieces are often either made by request only or in small productions.
In the case of Panerai, they only released the PAM00332 in a limited run of only 500 pieces. The rarity of these rattrapante timepieces makes them more attractive to collectors.
The PAM00332 comes with a stainless steel case with a black leather strap. Polished steel bezel. Black dial with silver-tone and luminous hands and stick and Arabic hour markers. Dial Type: Analog. Chronograph – sub-dials displaying: small seconds. Panerai Calibre OP XVIII Automatic movement, based upon Valjoux 7753, containing 31 Jewels, bitting at 28800 VPH, and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Fluted, protected crown. Cushion case shape. Case size: 44 mm. Tang clasp. Water-resistant at 100 meters / 330 feet. Functions: chronograph, column wheel, rattrapante, hour, minute, small second, chronometer, tachometric scale. Luxury watch style. Watch label: Swiss Made. Panerai Luminor 1950 Rattrapante Men’s Watch PAM00332.
The PAM00332 May Be the Greatest Yachtsman’s Race Timepiece Made Today
There are significant timepieces in the Yachting world, including the Rolex Yachtmaster series. However, none of these timepieces have a rattrapante movement. And certainly, the other features of the PAM00332 are equally attractive.
First, the 332 is not your granddad’s Yachtmaster. The DLC black coating on the bezel and back give it an extremely manly look. It is quite a difference from the Red White and Blue coloring of the Rolex Yachtmaster II. The dial is black with a tachymetric scale on the inside of the outside of the dial. Although the timepiece is intended for the yachting world, the PAM00332 could easily be used at the track for car racing and other sports.
The dial has an embossed Paris hobmails decoration which is highly reminiscent of the Patek Philippe pattern on its dial. Even the Calf Monte Carlo Black strap with black stitching keeps the black theme throughout the timepiece. One of the key features of all Panerai is the detail in its luminescence used throughout the key notations on the dial. It isn’t just the hour and minute hand and hour markers, but also on the inner dials and inner hands. So, no matter whether you are wearing the PAM00332 in the daytime or night time you will have exceptional visibility of the entire timepiece.
Rubber B has developed an impressive 4 lines of bands for the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante – Reference PAM00332. Although there are many colors to choose from, there are multiple Black bands which will not only add to the beauty of the PAM00332, but also extend its features.
The Solid Series is the Rubber B patented “Blocked Integration” series which has a tight-fitting band to the Panerai case. Rubber B has 6 luxury colors to choose from in this series.
The Swimskin Alligator series pictured above has the look and feel of real genuine alligator hide, but is actually 100% rubber, making it waterproof for all aquatic activities. Swimskin Alligator comes in both expresso and jet black.
The Swimskin Ballistic series has a Kevlar look to it, but is also 100% pure vulcanized rubber. It has the toughness and texture you would expect a rubber band to have while maintaining a comfortable fit. Rubber B offers both a military green and a jet black option in Ballistic.
The Vulchromantic Series is similar in design to the Solid Series. It, too, employs the “Blocked Integration” of the Solid series, but adds a complimentary stripe down the side, also in pure rubber.
Rubber B manufactures all of its bands in Switzerland with the highest specifications, made with no coatings, blends or bonding. Although these bands come with a 316L Stainless Steel Tang Buckle, the original Panerai tang Buckle fits perfectly onto these straps.
