First unveiled in January 2011 at the SIHH trade show, the Radiomir Oro Rosa 3 Days 47mm (PAM 379) is powered by Panerai‘s new in-house Caliber P.3000 hand-wound movement, is crafted from 18-karat rose gold, and is going to be sold as a Special Edition model with only 299 timepieces to ever reach the lucky few.
Like a great deal of other “historic” models revealed this winter by Panerai, the PAM 379 is equipped with a manufacture-made hand-wound caliber.
In this particular case, it is the hand-wound Caliber P.3000 that also powers the Radiomir 3 Days Platino (PAM 373) model. Elegant and sober, it is seen through the display back, which is covered with a thick sapphire crystal. While looking deceptively simple to an untrained eye, the mechanism features a refined finish with beveled edges on bridges, polished screws, and fine machine brushing that give it a very, well, industrial appearance.
Again, like some other new models from the Italian-based watchmaker that come with sapphire crystals, this version of the Radiomir series features a thick Plexiglas crystal on its front. Although prone to scratches, the acrylic glass is nevertheless strong: it would take you a huge effort to shatter it. Also, Panerai touts the use of old-school material as a sort of “homage” to their historic models. Some may consider the choice of material as a marketing gimmick though, and I would probably agree with them.
The gargantuan 47 mm cushion-shaped case is made of rose gold, is mirror-polished, and looks gorgeous if not too “standard” to my taste.
The ultra-short “wire” lugs somewhat mitigate the problem of the watch being designed to be worn by Conan the Barbarian, not by your normal venture capitalist, yet the device is still traditionally thick and is also predictably heavy, so you should probably keep in mind that it may not be the best choice for a “daily driver” even if you have enough money to afford one.
Aesthetically though, it is still a great pleasure to see that the precious metal is matched with a brown dial and a personalized strap of the same color: my favorite combination when it comes to rose gold.
There is still no info regarding the timekeeper’s price, but expect it to be expensive*.
See also: Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days (PAM 372)
UPDATE ON PRICE: The PAM 379 was issued with an MSRP of $38,500 that, while certainly being expensive (probably, prohibitively so for the majority of the brand’s faithful followers) doesn’t look especially overpriced. Given the sheer amount of gold used to craft this timepiece and the gorgeous in-house mechanism that is, too, not that easy to assemble and finish, the price is just about right.
Photos: Officine Panerai
Panerai Radiomir Oro Rosa 3 Days 47mm (PAM 379) specification
Price: $38,500 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, Calibre P.3000, in-house, 160 parts, two spring barrels, 21 jewels, 21,600 vph, 37.22 mm in diameter, 5.30 mm thick, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Brushed
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 72 hours
Case: Rose gold
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 47.00 mm
Lug width: 26.00 mm
Dial: Brown, sandwich-style
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Rose gold
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black leather strap with rose gold pin buckle
Crystal: Plexiglas, 2.80 mm thick
Back: Sapphire