Panerai has launched its first watch with a minute repeater and it’s the most complex product in the company’s history. As if that wasn’t enough to surprise us, the Radiomir 1940 Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon GMT produces a chime for either the local time or a second time zone. With its latest release, Panerai is paying tribute to the brand’s historical linkage to marine tradition in which the ship’s bell is crucial for all events on board.

By activating a push-piece at 8 o’clock, three hammers are set to create the chime by striking three bells inside the calibre. Panerai chose to use three hammers instead of the usual two to produce a more melodic sound; the sound quality is enhanced further by the structure of the 49mm red gold case. The first, lowest pitched bell indicates the hour, with the last, highest pitched bell indicating minutes. The additional second bell creates a triple chime which represents ten minutes instead of the traditional fifteen. This small, innovative change allows time progression to be registered by ear.

The uniqueness of the timepiece lies on the double hour and minute repeater mechanism. The wearer can select the local time or the second time zone with a single activation of the crown’s push-piece; the red HT/LT (home time / local time) indicator at 8 o’clock displays which time zone is in force. The skeletonisation of the frame allows front and back observation of the new Panerai P.2005/MR movement and the tourbillon. The timepiece is made to order, meaning the case can be constructed with an alternative material other than red gold, not to mention the ample choices of straps, hands and other specific features.