The Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Acciaio Flyback, Reference PAM00524 is a simple but stellar looking timepiece. It has the date aperture at 3 o’clock and a small seconds at the 9 o’clock position. However, you can easily tell that there is something unique about this timepiece.
It has a pusher at the 10 o’clock position which starts and stops the timing of this chronograph. The pusher at the 8 o’clock position is the Reset button and also acts as the flyback function for the timepiece. It also has a bright blue hand above the seconds hand which is nicely tied into the rest of the timepiece.
The blue hand functions as the main chronograph hand and allows you to quickly reset it back to the beginning if you want to start timing a 2nd lap or 3rd. This timepiece is quite different from other flybacks offered by Panerai. So, we will compare it later with one of the current Flybacks that Panerai offers. The PAM 524 is not found on the current offerings by Panerai, even as a historical reference.
Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Acciaio Flyback
The Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Acciaio Flyback, Reference PAM00524 is interesting specifically for what it isn’t. It isn’t a timepiece that looks like a Rolex Daytona. Everyone knows the 3 dials that Daytona brings to its chronograph. And when you are looking at a chronograph you expect to see those dials. However, the PAM 524 utilizes 1 dial only and a large blue hand which rests on top of the seconds hand.
The blue hand is clearly unmistakable. Under the blue hand is a minutes counter in polished steel. However, the rest of the timepiece is about as classic as it can be. The patina of the hour markers and luminescent fill on the minute and hour hands gives the timepiece an authentic aged look to it. This is the precise look that watch collectors admire in the old Daytonas and other timepieces that have had their color tarnish over time.
The pushers are also on the left side of the timepiece. This is a change from the oft-imitated right side pushers. This is actually a better position for pushers. You can easily grab your forefingers and hook onto the winding crown and use your thumb to push down on the pushers when timing laps. It gives you much more leverage and strength.
The case is a large 44mm width. It is also quite thick and gives the timepiece a strong piece to wear on your wrist. It has the iconic locking nut over the crown to give it even more protection and strength.
The back side of the timepiece also has a visible view of the inner workings of the P. 9100 caliber, with its 37 jewels. This device is designed in-house by Panerai with a Glucydur® balance, and an Incabloc® anti-shock device. It beats at 28,800 alternations/hour. It has a power reserve for 3 days, and is made from 302 components.
The PAM 524 sells at just under $9,000 today in the after market, making it one of the more reasonable timepieces with the chronograph feature set.
The Panerai Luminor 1950 Flyback Regatta is a completely different looking timepiece from the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Acciaio Flyback, Reference PAM00524. It has a more traditional chronograph look and feel to it.
If you look for the tachymetric scale on the PAM 524, you will not find it. However the PAM 253 has a tachy scal going from 60 miles or kilometers per minute all the way to 400.
The pushers are on the right side of the timepiece, not unlike the Rolex Daytona. This timepiece also has a 2nd dial at the 3 o’clock position, replacing the date window. Although it does have a large blue hand just like the PAM 524, the PAM 253 has a darker blue color.
The patina is actually a light green rather than the aged tan patina found on the 524. The 253 definitely has a more modern look than the more classical 524. Even the bands are more modern on the PAM 253, with a Panerai version of the Rubber band.
Rubber B offers a tremendous array of bands and colors for the Panerai timepiece. Please visit our Panerai section and select the Panerai timepiece from our list of custom designed watch bands.
