Panerai x Revolution Luminor Marina Carbotech "Destro" PAM01708

When the opportunity arose to create a timepiece for Revolution’s 20th anniversary, Destro was the first word that came to mind.

The concept of a “Destro” watch came from the demand of divers who had to wear the depth gauge and compass on their left hand. As a result, the large-sized Panerai diving watches were designed for the right wrist. Interestingly, “Destro” means “right-handed” in Italian but it’s remarkable how many people think it means “left-handed.” With the switch to right-hand wear, the crown guard and lever-locking mechanism were relocated to the left side of the case.

The 1960s saw the introduction of vintage Panerai “Destro” or left-handed watches, such as the Ref. 6152/1.

But it was the Richemont-era management consisting of then-CEO Angelo Bonati and designer Giampiero Bodino that took it upon themselves to launch the stunning PAM00026A in 1998 as a 200-piece limited edition and followed it up with the PAM00026B in 1999 as a 500-piece limited edition. In 2008, Panerai paid tribute to this same timepiece with the relaunch of the PAM00026K as a 1,000-piece limited edition, which now featured a sandwich-type dial and Super-LumiNova instead of tritium.

Because these watches were designed to be worn on the right hand, wearing them on the left is technically incorrect, and yet it looks so incredibly cool that it’s inspired a multitude of Destro watches over the years from other brands.

The material that really captured our imagination, meanwhile, was Carbotech™, a high-performance composite material exclusive to Panerai and known for its remarkable lightness and resistance to wear. It is constructed from thin layers of carbon fiber and a binding agent called PEEK (polyether ether ketone), which is laid up and then heated and compressed.

The process produces a material that is 64% lighter than titanium and 80% lighter than steel, while offering superior resistance to corrosion and physical stress. Panerai’s Carbotech™ case plates are built with over 200 layers stacked together while the bezel and crown-protecting device are machined at an angle to the layers — meaning that no two watches are visually identical after machining and finishing. The result is a distinct, matte black finish with a variegated effect that shifts subtly depending on how the light hits it.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Carbotech™, we decided to craft the case, bezel, crown, crown guard and even the lever from this material — everything except the caseback is made in Carbotech™. A particularly nice touch is that our Revolution logo is engraved on the lever.

Our latest collaboration also builds upon a previous limited edition launched on the occasion of Revolution’s 10th anniversary in 2015, the Luminor Marina 8 Days DLC Special Edition PAM00599.

The dial features beige lume on the indices and hands, paying tribute to our favorite Pre-Vendôme era models. It also draws inspiration from our 10th anniversary model, but this time, crafted using a more complex sandwich construction.

We love the idea of a vintage-looking dial set against a subtly modern material like Carbotech™. Inside the watch is the Caliber P.9010, an automatic movement with three days of power reserve stored in two spring barrels, wound by a bi-directional oscillating weight.

The result is an exceptional Luminor Marina that expresses the best of modern and vintage Panerai, demonstrating that contemporary materials like carbon fiber can harmoniously co-exist with the old-school aesthetic that made the brand truly special.

Ten years after our first collaboration, we are pleased to introduce a new timepiece to mark Revolution's 20th anniversary, a magazine that has since become a voice of authority in watch culture. By blending heritage with a cutting-edge twist, it captures our design essence through a historic left-handed configuration, inspired by Panerai’s archives, matched for the very first time with a Carbotech™ case.” says Alessandro Ficarelli, Chief Marketing and Product Officer of Panerai.

Technical specifications

Panerai x Revolution Luminor Marina Carbotech "Destro"

Reference: PAM01708

Limited edition of 100 pieces

Case

• Material: Carbotech™
• Carbotech™ bezel
• Carbotech™ upside-down crown-protecting bridge with personalized lever
• Diameter: 44mm
• Grade 5 titanium closed case-back engraved with individual numbering
• Water-resistant to 300 meters

Dial and hands

• Black matte sandwich dial
• Arabic numerals and hour markers coated with warm beige Super-LumiNova® grade X2
• Small seconds at 3 o’clock

Movement

• Automatic mechanical, P.9010 caliber
• Incabloc® anti-shock device
• Power reserve 3 days, two barrels

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes
• Small seconds

Strap and buckle

• Brown calf leather strap with beige stitching and Revolution’s star emblem engraved
• Trapezoidal titanium and DLC pin buckle

MSRP: CHF 11'340 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit revolutionwatch.com