A Stellar Showcase

Panerai’s first moon phase complication is packed into the manufacture’s most complicated watch yet.

For a brand that frequently cites Galileo as a source of inspiration, it’s somewhat peculiar how few astronomical complications Panerai has made. However, that changed this year. Unveiled at the recent Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie is the Panerai L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT – an absolute beast of a watch that’s packed to the brim with functions, including the watchmaker’s very first moon phase.

Its lengthy name clues you in on what the 50mm watch has to offer, and may also remind you of another technically impressive ticker from 2010: the L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Equation of Time Titanio. That model was created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first observation of the night sky following the invention of the telescope, but this year’s edition seriously ups the celestial ante.

Powering the new L’Astronomo, also known as the PAM 00920, is the manually winding P.2005 GLS calibre. The P.2005 refers to Panerai’s in-house tourbillon base, while GLS stands for Galileo Luna Scheletrato, which identifies it as a skeletonised movement.