Sandra‘s Closet

Panerai and Prada come together in a collaboration where style meets innovation.

Rooted in design and timepiece innovation, the new Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon collaboration by Panerai and Prada marks the coming together of two Italian names, masterfully fusing aesthetics to create an accessory that is stylish and functional.
Luminor Due’s slim, light and sleek proportions that express urban Italian sophistication are matched with exclusive straps crafted from Prada Re-Nylon material, a regenerated nylon fabric, reflecting Panerai’s pulse on the contemporary while continuously reinterpreting its storied origins of high-precision timepieces.

The new 38mm Panerai Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon with an Alabaster pink strap (PAM01425)

Prada Re-Nylon is a textile representing a ground-breaking evolution of Prada’s iconic material, nylon – an important part of the brand’s DNA as a purveyor of modern luxury, beauty, and contemporary life for more than four decades. Prada Re-Nylon is crafted from ECONYL®, a 100% recycled nylon from pre (50%) and post-consumer (50%) materials such as fishing nets, discarded nylon, carpet and industrial waste.

The straps are available in iron grey and navy blue for the 42 mm case and in alabaster pink and cornflower grey for the 38mm case and they all feature hot-printed logos of Prada Re-Nylon and Panerai to mark the collaboration. The cosmopolitan timepieces are all set in a polished steel case. PAM01425 and PAM01426 are paired with an elegantly sophisticated matte white sandwich dial filled with grey Super-Luminova™ that illuminates in green in the dark. PAM01428 features a white sun-brushed dial with beige Super-LuminovaTM while PAM01429 is set in a blue sun brushed dial with white Super-LuminovaTM. The date is shown at 3 o’clock with small seconds at 9 o’clock while a subtle Panerai inscription finishes the quintessentially modern look of the dial.

The light grey 38mm (PAM01426) model is paired with a sophisticated matte white sandwich dial.

Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon comes with the PAM Click Release system to allow for easy changing of straps, making the timepiece even more versatile and universal to suit different styles and moods. The Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon 42mm feature an adjustable buckle while the 38mm a pin buckle. The automatic P.900 calibre powers the Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon with a three-day power reserve.

The iron grey 42mm (PAM01428) model from the Panerai X Prada Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon collection.

Perfect as a spring wardrobe addition, the Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon reflects Panerai’s urban and contemporary portfolio. The pieces seamlessly blend the Maison’s distinctive watchmaking elements with modern style sensibilities, appealing to watch lovers who want the best of both worlds.
The collection is available worldwide in all Panerai boutiques and on panerai.com.

LoL, Sandra

The 42mm (PAM 1429) Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon in a stunning deep blue.

Photos: © Panerai/Prada
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Welcome to Casa Panerai, the largest Panerai boutique ever opened its doors in the heart of New York City on Madison Avenue. Home to an extensive collection of watches, both historical and contemporary, the store welcomes clients with elements visible from the sidewalk, an LED screen displaying captivating images that convey the brand’s connection to the marine realm and its spirit of adventure, and a larger-than-life iconic luminous green wall clock. Inside, an immersive timeline spanning nearly 30 feet along an original exposed brick wall highlights significant milestones of the Maison’s history in a multidimensional exhibition with materials including reproductions of original mechanisms, copies of patents and certifications and interactive models.

For female wristwatch lovers, the store includes a dedicated zone centered on the Luminor Due Collection. The space features soft, rounded furnishings and an oceanic influence that pervades the room, with walls covered in artisan-crafted variegated blue resin that evokes the kaleidoscopic hues of the sea. To complete Panerai’s heritage and aesthetic sensibility, the interiors feature furniture from Italian interior designers while a coffee bar sits on the upper level to offer a relaxing break.

To celebrate the opening, Panerai presents the new Radiomir Tourbillon Bronzo as a fitting centerpiece for Madison Avenue, a masterpiece that pays tribute to its legendary history and embodies the essence of the Radiomir. Combining technical feat and historical design, Panerai’s first-ever 45mm tourbillon movement is set in a bronze case that showcases a characteristic vintage look. Through the natural oxidation process, the bronze material evolves according to wear and tear, and its seasoned and retro appearance becomes completely different, adapting to the wearer’s individual surroundings and giving each piece a unique patina.

Furthermore, Panerai launches the Luminor BiTempo New York Edition, a special edition available in 212 pieces, which is set in a 44mm titanium DLC case with a grey matte shaded sandwich dial. DLC, also known as diamond-like carbon coating, is a specific treatment technique applied to the titanium material that combines high performance and aesthetical appeal giving the timepiece an unmistakable sleek black look and high hardness and durability.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Panerai
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Panerai celebrates the Year of the Rat with a special edition of 88 units decorated using the
ancient technique of sparsello. This technique is named after the tool, like a little scalpel, which is used to make incisions. These are then inlayed with gold threads which are carefully hammered to fill the recesses. This operation takes up to 50 hours of work for each watch. Chinese astrological tradition depicted and enhanced by Italian craftsmanship.

Panerai recalls the evocative thousand-year tradition of the Chinese Zodiac with the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm (PAM00863), a special edition created to anticipate and accompany the Year of the Rat which will officially start on the 25th of January 2020.
For Panerai this is a true tradition within a tradition which started in 2009 with the celebration of the Year of the Ox and culminating today, in the 12th year, with the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to the Year of the Rat. This is the 12th Panerai Luminor Sealand model and marks the end of the 12- year cycle in which each year is distinguished by a sign of the zodiac represented by an animal.

Both ambitious and brilliant, those born under this sign use their intelligence and shrewdness to adapt to any situation, easily overcoming the problems and pitfalls of everyday life. They are also endowed with inspiration and intelligence, qualities which they share with the rat, the animal represented on the steel cover of the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to it.

A distinguishing feature of every Sealand, the decorated cover – with a signalling mirror inside.

The mechanical movement of the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is the P. 9010 Calibre with a power reserve of three days provided by twin spring barrels, and rapid time adjustment which also changes the calendar. Water-resistant to a depth of 10 bar (about 100 metres), the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is fitted with a semi-matt calf strap, gold in colour with beige stitching, and it is presented in a pear wood box. It is supplied with a second strap of black rubber, a special tool for changing the strap and a screwdriver to remove the buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Panerai

Chinese New Year officially begins today on February 5th, 2019, and ends on February 19th. Also known as the «Spring Festival» in modern Mainland China, it is the country’s most important traditional festival and beginning of a new Chinese animal zodiac cycle: the year of the Pig.

Those born during the Chinese zodiac year of the pig are pleasant, polite and have good taste. They are perfectionists that appreciate the most beautiful things, they help others and are great companions as long as you don’t cross them, so be careful! They are smart, always on the search for knowledge and exclusivity. Unfortunately, pig years are also believed to be the most unlucky for people born in previous years of the Pig.

Prada presents Prada Wonderland, a new and exclusive pop-up installation at the prestigious Galaxy Macau, open until 10 March 2019 on the occasion of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

 Luxury brands are all on board for Lunar New Year. The festivities rank high in China – a market where consumers still pay full price for expensive wares. According to a report by Bain & Company, China represents «32% of the global luxury consumption.»

Here are the best limited edition collections by the big names of the luxury industry to celebrate Chinese New Year:

DODO
This new limited edition piglet charm is just too cute. For a limited time only, you can shop the pig-shaped pendant in 18kt yellow gold and red enamel with black cord included.

DIESEL
To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, Diesel introduces a 9-piece premium limited edition capsule collection that is sold globally.

MOSCHINO
Porky Pig and Petunia Pig are the stars of a fun and glamorous limited edition, created especially for one of the most important traditional Chinese festivities.

LANVIN
For the S/S 2019 Pre-Collection, Lanvin is paying tribute to the Lunar New Year with an exclusive capsule collection. Lanvin is celebrating the year of the pig, a cute and curvaceous mascot, with a selection of lucky charm accessories adorned with «pig» embroidery studded with dazzling jewels, perfect for gifting and collecting alike.

GUCCI
The Italian fashion house celebrates the Year of the Pig with a special collection of ready-to-wear and accessories featuring three playful designs including a print of Walt Disney’s cartoon characters, the ‘Three Little Pigs’. Shot by Frank Lebon, a special editorial shoot features tiny piglets with their human friends captured inside richly decorated apartments and walking the streets of New York City.

LOUIS VUITTON
Inspired by the Chinese zodiac, the Superstition square features these twelve symbols playfully illustrated with iconic House motifs. The center is decorated with a large LV Circle, layered over Monogram Flowers and surrounded by the creatures.

MARNI
The small piglet, symbol of the new Marni Capsule Collection, comes from an imaginary universe dedicated to the Chinese New Year: a range of accessories for her and a new original version of Big Foot sneakers pay homage to the twelfth protagonist of the Chinese horoscope, as well as the sign’s cheerful and dreamy character.

PANERAI
For the Chinese Year of the Pig, Panerai presents an 88-piece limited edition Luminor Sealand. The cover is hand-decorated by master engravers using the sparsello technique.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN
For its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Pig Watch in 18K Pink Gold, the Swiss watchmaker uses enameling, gems-setting and other artistic aspects of watchmaking.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

The colour of kings, blue, was unquestionably one of the stars of the SIHH 2018 (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie), a unisex shade for both, men and women, that recounts watchmaking’s noble origins. Once the exception to the rule, blue has become one of watchmakers’ go-to colours. Indigo or azure, sky or cerulean, teal or navy, the year’s collections have revealed a vast palette of fashionably chic shades. Dials as blue as the ocean’s deep or as luminous as the sky, diamonds embellishing watches to ignite desire, colourful straps that bring originality to the wrist.

Whether matched with the soft sheen of pink gold, the warmth of yellow gold, or contrasting with the icy purity of steel, blue has the faculty to adapt to every style and material.
Please see for yourself:

MEN’s WATCHES

Clockwise from top left:
Kalpagraphe Chronomètre by Parmigiani Fleurier
Marine Tourbillon Blue Grand Feu by Ulysses Nardin
Clifton by Baume & Mercier
Slim d’Hermès Quantième Perpétuel by Hermès

Excalibur Aventador S by Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis dares to be rare once again and goes where others fear to tread – by launching colourful iterations of its iconic Excalibur line in conjunction with partners Perfect Fit Pirelli and Raging Mechanics Lamborghini Squadra Corse at SIHH 2018.

Offering yet another stunning example of highly complicated watchmaking inspired by the automotive world, the Roger Dubuis x Lamborghini Squadra Corse partnership roars to life in 2018 with the 45 mm Excalibur Aventador S Blue vying for pole position by being crafted from the same C-SMC carbon as that used on the actual Lamborghini cars.
Limited to 88 pieces.

Freak Vision by Ulysee Nardin

Introducing the first automatic watch in the Freak Collection, the Freak Vision. Among the game-changers: a super-light silicium balance wheel with nickel mass elements and stabilizing micro-blades and a new case design made even thinner by a box-domed crystal. Time is still indicated in the «Freak» manner that sets the collection apart: by the baguette movement itself, a  50 hours «flying carrousel» rotating around its own axis.

Yet the design components are completely different. The new 3D carved upper bridge is inspired by a boat’s hull. Finally, the entire 45mm platinum case itself is new—horns, bezel, the rubber on the side—making for a look that is much more open and generous.

WOMEN’s WATCHES

Clockwise from top left:
Millenary Hand-Wound Ladies Watch by Audemars Piguet (with interchangeable straps)
Laureato Royalty, 34mm by Girard-Perregaux
Sweet Alhambra  Watch by Van Clef & Arpels
Possession Watch, 29mm by Piaget

Clockwise from top left:
Luminor Due 3 Days, 42mm & Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic, 38mm, both by Panerai
Bohème Automatic Date, 34mm by Montblanc
Slim d’Hermès Mythiques Phoenix Coloriages, 39mm by Hermès
Rendez-Vous Night & Day Medium by Jaeger-LeCoultre

One is more beautiful than the other… the decision is all yours.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Single Photos of Roger Dubuis, Ulysee Nardin: Courtesy of the Brands

The 21st edition of the famous Salon International de la Haute Horlorgerie (SIHH) will be taking place from the 17th to the 21st of January, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Today, I would like to give you an exclusive preview of some exciting watches that will be presented at the „invitation only“ event.

One of my favourites is Cartier’s Tourbillon and crocodile Geneva Seal white gold watch, calibre 9458 MC. It is a very feminine Grande Complication model, a beautiful union of haute horlogerie and haute joiallerie, limited to 50 individually numbered pieces.
Cartier has inversed the movement to show the mechanism and its skeletonised bridges, which now form part of the decor. Reminiscent of the Le Animalier Collection and the Pasha but significant with variation, a diamond crocodile carefully guards the time. The heartbeats are driven by the oscillations of a unique flying tourbillon: the calibre 9458 MC, adorned with the Geneva Seal.

A very masculine looking and impressive timepiece is the new Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch, Calibre 9451 MC.
The Astrotourbillon movement, which was introduced last year after five years of development in the Manufacture, now powers the Calibre de Cartier watch, limited to 100 numbered pieces. The 47mm titanium case on black alligator strap make it a disctinctive choice.

Panerai Luminor Composite PAM 386

Panerai Radiomir Composite PAM 339, the bestseller of 2010

As I am a big fan of Panerai watches anyway, it is no wonder that the new Panerai Luminor Composite PAM 386, that will be officially unveiled in Geneva, has caught my eye immediately.

Reminiscent of the Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Militare PAM 339 which was introduced exactly one year ago and powered by a 8-day manual wind, the new model comes equipped with an automatic P.9000 caliber.

The timepiece has a scratch-resistant 44mm ceramic case and might be limited to 1000 pieces which is still to be confirmed.

Van Cleef & Arpel Five Weeks In a Balloon

Van Cleef & Arpels’ new piece Five Weeks In a Balloon will be surely amongst the star attractions at the upcoming SIHH 2011 – inspired by the world famous fiction author Jules Verne and his Extraordinary Voyages novel of the same name.
The dial of the watch is decorated with chamlevé enamel and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the case is made of white gold. The scene depicts a balloon rising into the air of Zanzibar. The hours and minutes are displayed by the balloon’s anchor and a flying bird. Why not dream a little dream with this beautiful novel model?

Jaeger-Le-Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in pink gold

Jaeger-Le-Coultre launched the iconic Reverso model to meet the English polo players’ need for an unbreakable watch in 1931. Another reason for its immediate success was the possibility to personalize it by engraving the initials or family crest. Almost 80 years later, the line will be supplemented with two limited editions, named Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931.

Being a beautiful bridge between past and present, the watch demonstrates all the Art Deco glamour of the original style interpreted in today’s language. The square-shape case is available in steel or pink gold and measures only 7.2mm in thickness to demonstrate its ultra-thinness. Inside is a just 2.94mm thick manufactory-made mechanical hand-wound movement, calibre 822. It is a very understated piece, only having the name Reverso written on the dial. Timeless elegance!

Jaeger-Le-Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in steel

Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater

Audemars Piguet’s newest addition is a feast for your eyes. The Millenary Minute Repeater watch (Reference 26371TI) comes wih a 47mm x 42mm titanium case, an anthracite grey dial, applied pink gold numerals, a minute repeater slide activator (at 7 o’ clock) and a black croc leather strap.
The best of the watch lays inside, the manual wind AP caliber 2910 movement (flat double balance-spring, 165 hour power reserve from 2 barrels, third barrel powering the minute repeater, 21 600 vph (3hz) frequency and 443 parts in total).

Baume & Mercier Jumping Hour watch

The Baume & Mercier Jumping Hour watch will be available in fall 2011 and will be limited to 500 numbered pieces. Here are some details: 42mm steel case, automatic mechanical Dubois Depraz 14400 movement, black alligator strap with a not so common jumping hour complication.

The upcoming timepiece is very similiar to this year’s rose gold Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour watch (Ref M0A08857) that was limited to 40 pieces (see below).

Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour watch, fall 2010

Girard Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds

The casual observer can appreciate the classic elegance of the new Girard Perregeaux 1966 Small Seconds. A 40mm white or rose gold case with a white enamel dial and a beautifil alligator strap. The technically inclined may adore its new movement, the Girard Perregeaux automatic Caliber 3300.

I hope that you have enjoyed this preview. I cannot wait to go to Geneva and see all those watches in real life. Which one is your favourite?

LoL, Sandra