Watch of the Week: Panerai Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte

Panerai has always been offering sports watches that are as exclusive as they are robust. This is particularly true for the Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte. It combines the brand’s signature crown-locking mechanism with a chronograph function and a very exclusive precious metal case. Named Goldtech, it is an 18 karat gold that gets its warm and rich red color from a high percentage of copper. Platinum is added as well to give the alloy a high oxidation resistance as well. This ensures that it will keep its intense luster for years to come.

It also combines particularly well with the blue dial. Panerai refers to it as “Blu Notte,” or night blue in English, proving that everything sounds better in Italian. It has a satin finish with a sunburst motif that gives the dial a stunning play of light but also a sense of refinement. Chronographs have a tendency to feature a very busy dial, but as this Panerai is 44mm in diameter, it has plenty of space to avoid that. The subdials are easy to read and don’t cut into any of the watch’s other functions. The tachymeter scale is placed on the flange, adding depth and naturally drawing your eye to the center of the dial.

The Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte is powered by caliber P.9200, which has a 42-hour power reserve from a single barrel. It is hiding behind a caseback with a smokey sapphire glass window on which a wave pattern is applied through a metallization process. While you don’t see much of the movement itself, the caseback has a very luxurious and refined look to it, matching the front of the watch. The Luminor Chrono Goldtech Blu Notte is fitted with an alligator leather strap and pin buckle made from Goldtech. An additional rubber strap, also in night blue, comes with the watch as well, allowing owners to swap them according to their needs.