During the week I tested my latest acquisitions from the last Munich watch fair.

First the Panerai Radiomir 1/8th Second, ref. PAM00246, a special edition of 2006 in a 45mm steel case with display back.

For a long time I hunted for a chronograph with the Foudroyante ("whirl wind") complication. The hand on the left sub dial rotates once per second and allows to easily time eighth seconds:

The movement OPXX1 in fact is a La Joux-Perret (formerly Jaquet) LPJ 8952, which initially was developed by Jaquet for Graham, It was also used by Girard-Perregaux, Hublot, Corum, and of course for the Ferrari version of this Panerai watch. The movement is mainly a Valjoux 7750 with integrated Rattrapante (controlled by a column wheel contrary to the normal chronograph) and Foudroyante (driven by a separate barrel) mechanisms.

The chronograph is controlled by the usual pushers, the silver colored Rattrapante needle is stopped and resumed by the pusher in the crown. The Foudroyante needle is coupled to the chronograph. No running second, no date or day.

Cheers,

Mick