From Around the Internet

1. Has the Panerai Bubble Burst?

Panerai is a brand that has enjoyed a lot of success in the past decade, growing from a cult brand to one of the most recognized brands in the world. Panerai enthusiasts, who like to call themselves Paneristi, recently discussed about the brand at length on Paneristi.com, sharing their thoughts on the brand’s recent releases and the direction of the company. Personally, I do not think the “bubble” has burst, but in some ways at least, Panerai is a victim of its own success. Perhaps I’ll elaborate in a future post.

Source: Paneristi

2. Hands on with the Panerai Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramica PAM446

Amongst the new models and special edition watches that were released by Panerai this year, the Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramic, otherwise known simply as PAM446, is probably the most controversial. I think most people either love it or hate it. And despite the lovely photos of the watch in this article, I belong in the latter camp. It leaves me cold, and to me seems like a piece that serves only to validate Panerai’s legitimacy as a haute horology brand through the tourbillon complication and use of high-tech ceramic.

Source: Watches by SJX

3. Making a Move: How Panerai Became a Manufacture

If you don’t already know, being a manufacture is a pretty big deal these days. Panerai has made great strides in developing its own movements, introducing no less than four new in-house movements this year at SIHH. The brand is also gradually weaning itself off ETA movements. Find out how Panerai became a manufacture so quickly after its acquisition by Richemont in 1997.

Source: WatchTime

4. The Seiko 5 Story

Have you ever wondered why is there a Seiko 5 badge on some of Seiko’s watches? I’m not a big fan of that badge (aesthetically speaking), but I can appreciate its significance because 50 years ago, the first Seiko Sportsmatic 5 was born and it set a benchmark for affordable mechanical watches. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Seiko has created a mini-site that tells you everything you need to know about the Seiko 5.

Source: Seiko

5. Seeing in the Dark: Luminescence in Watches

Legibility in the dark is one of the biggest challenges watchmakers face. Today, this problem is solved by watchmakers using photoluminescent materials such as SuperLuminova and tritium gas tubes. Some brands such as Lum-Tec and Ball, have even made a reputation for themselves because of the night-time legibility of their watches. Here’s the brief history of luminescence in watches.

Source: Worn & Wound

6. Harry Winston 2013 Basel Offerings

Harry Winston is one of the most storied brands in luxury and was recently acquired by the Swatch Group to the tune of $1 billion. With the acquisition completed, the Swatch Group now has a brand to compete with the likes of Richemont’s Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and LVMH’s Bulgari. Unsurprisingly, diamonds play a big role in Harry Winston watches, but they do offer some technically complicated and wonderful pieces too, as you will see in this summary of their offerings from Baselworld 2013.

Source: Time Tapestry