SIHH 2016 – Panerai PAM578 Tourbillon Titanio Lo Scienziato

With so much technical terminology that is used within the watch industry there is one word that always gets the horology juices flowing, Tourbillon. With an attempt to get all of the Panerai lovers talking, Officine Panerai has just released the Panerai PAM578 Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio (Titanium) at SIHH 2016 in Geneva.

The PAM578 now joins the other four tourbillon pieces in the “Lo Scienziato” family. Previous models included the PAM348, PAM528, PAM350, and the newly released PAM559. The Lo Scienziato timepieces were dedicated to Galileo Galilei, who played a major role in the scientific revolution during the Renaissance. He was known as the father of observational astronomy, physics and science. His work in discovering the four moons orbiting around Jupiter is the breakthrough that confirmed that the Earth revolved around the Sun, and not the other way around. This breakthrough helped shape and continues to impact modern-day watchmaking.

The newest addition to this group, the PAM578, is the first time that a Panerai Tourbillon model in the Lo Scienziato group has been made of Titanium.

The new model features an eye catching 47mm case, which is 40% lighter than any steel counter part. The remarkable lightness is a testament to all the amazing engineering work that goes into this piece considering all the complications and detailed work that is present on this particular model. The case itself is lightened even further by using an innovative technology, which enabled Panerai to hollow out the case forming an extremely complex geometrical cavity without compromising the water-resistance depth of 100 meters.

This technology called Direct Metal Laser Sintering, builds up a 3D object layer by layer by means of a fiber optic laser using powdered titanium. Each layer is only .02 mm thick – merged together to become a completely solid case. This method allows them to achieve a form that is impossible using traditional methods.

The next step in reducing even more weight from the PAM578 is a result of the skeletonized bridges, plates, and spring barrels in the P.2005/T movement, as well as the absence of a traditional dial.

The new variation of the P.2005 movement, which has been patented by Panerai and appears in other Lo Scienziato pieces, has been redone for the first time with skeletonized titanium bridges and plates. Because of the lower density of the material, the overall weight of the new P.2005/T movement is 35% less than the P.2005/S movement.

The heart of the piece translates into a gorgeously created skeleton dial that features the 12, 3, 6, 9 and baton markers that we have become accustom to from Panerai. To the left of the 3 we have an sub dial that is an AM/PM indicator linked to the second time zone hand. To the right of the 9 is the sub second dial with an inner wheel that has an indicator that rotates in conjunction with rotation of the tourbillon. The PAM578 hands are all done in a faded blue color which matches the almost matte grey finish of the titanium. On the inside of the bezel on top you will find the etching “Luminor 1950 Panerai” and on the bottom is phrase “Lo Scienziato”.

Turning this beast of a watch on it’s back you will be able to take enjoyment in staring through the sapphire crystal back displaying the meticulous inner workings of the movement. On the bottom right of the movement is a power reserve indicator with a blue hand to display the amount of time left on the 6 day power reserve.

The PAM578 is finished off nicely with a dark grey alligator strap with matching stitching. The strap features a new deployment buckle that is also made out of titanium and finished off with its parts skeletonized to match the rest of the watch.