"time and space - a tribute to galileo galilei" - panerai exhibition in shanghai

[leeye]

For die hard Panerai fans! All the 2011 new watch models will be on display plus some very rare historical models.

Extract from Panerai website.

Officine Panerai has chosen Shanghai for the only international staging of “Time and Space: a Tribute to Galileo Galilei”, the exhibition in which Officine Panerai puts a range of the most important watches and instruments from its own historical and contemporary collections on display. The show, taking place at the Shanghai Sculpture Space and open to the public from 20th to 31st May 2011, culminates with the exhibition of the “astronomical” triptych made by Officine Panerai as a tribute to Galileo Galilei, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his first celestial observations.
Having premiered in Florence in September 2010, the exhibition comes to Shanghai in a version enriched by the Officine Panerai 2011 collections, and explores three stages. The first is that of history, which uses select pieces from the Panerai Museum to trace the development and establishment of the Panerai brand, from its roots as a Florentine workshop to preferred supplier of precision instruments to the Italian Navy.
The second stage covers the brand’s international fame following its acquisition by the Richemont group in 1997: a large room displays the most symbolic timepieces of the 14 years in which Officine Panerai renewed the former glory of its iconic watches, the Luminors and Radiomirs, quickly developing a complete range of movements designed and produced in-house in its Neuchâtel factory. This section also features a selection of watches from the latest Officine Panerai collection, including models with the new hand-wound mechanical P.3000 calibre and the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo – 47 mm.
The third stage is a tribute to Galileo Galilei, the genius to whom Officine Panerai, celebrating its shared Tuscan origins and love for science and innovation, has dedicated an “astronomical” triptych, formed from three exceptionally complicated models: L’Astronomo (Luminor 1950 Equation of Time Tourbillon Titanio – 50 mm), Lo Scienziato (Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica – 48 mm) and the planetarium clock Panerai Jupiterium.

Here is the booklet for the event. Not sure if there is an english version.

[bcacncnc]

Thanks Lee. If you go - pls take some pics for us.

[leeye]

bryan, no probem at all. i'll probably be making several trips since this is once in a lifetime opportunity.

[ocwatching]

Lee..looking forward to your report!

[leeye]

tomorrow is the opening

[Cru Jones]

sounds AWESOME. looking forward to the report/feedback.

[leeye]

OK here's a brief summary of the exhibition which I attended this afternoon (will be back again tomorrow evening). I won't describe too much but let the pictures "talk" to you.

In typical Panerai fashion, there is plenty darkness in the event exhibition area. First you get to see a short film showing images of the universe from the post-Galilean telescopes. Next comes the moment that every Paneristi is waiting for , display of 18 historical timepieces showcasing the origins of Panerai (difficult to capture good pics under the low lighting). Then comes a display of more than 80 pieces modern time pieces from 1997 to 2011 (including the PAM 372 and 382 Bronzo). Dini from Panerai Switzerland was on hand to demonstrate the assembly of the new P3000 movement (very impressive and according to Dini the P3000 calibre is a very robust movement with 72 hours power reserve). Lastly comes the showcase of the specialities tourbillon models, Equation of Time and Jupiterium . Lastly is a picture of Ms. Joy Yu (from the IFC OP Boutique) and myself.

Hopefully I can capture more pictures of historical watches tomorrow.

[rolexcd]

Great and thanks for sharing. Sounds very attractive as you will be going again!

[Cru Jones]

excellent pix and report!! thanks very much.

[leeye]

Anthony, I went this afternoon to beat the crowd since there won't be too many visitors in the afternoon. Also to judge how best to prepare myself and take better pics of the watches (was not easy with my digital camera). Will be better equipped tomorrow (hopefully).

[rolexcd]

Looking forward to more pics of more models tomorrow!

[ocwatching]

Nice teaser Lee! Looks like a great exhibit.

Panerai, please take that to the US!

Looking forward to more detailed report!

[Fearsome Puppy]

Looks interesting will have to get myself down there, thanks for the pics Lee...

[leeye]

Originally Posted by Fearsome Puppy

Looks interesting will have to get myself down there, thanks for the pics Lee...

Kevin, you will not be disappointed at the exhibition . Don't expect to buy any watches as none are for sale .

[bcacncnc]

Thx Lee. Sounds like you are gonna hv an exciting weekend.

[Fearsome Puppy]

Went earlier today, no crowds at all which was good - don't think that many people know about it and cos of the location.

Agree with Lee on his comments, thought that the whole exhibition was pretty well put together with the film on astronomy, followed by viewing of great selection of rare PAMs and all the recent models from the late 90s, finishing off with the equation of time / tourbillon skeleton models. The watchmaker was a nice touch, as it wasn't crowded it was quite an experience he demonstrating a dismantlement of a tourbillon movement. Took pics, but didn't come out too good due to the lighting.

Shame I was rushed in my viewing, by wife and son who thought that they were going on an outing to learn something about astronomy for his science classes...

PS: they do have the brochures in English as well.

[ancs88]

Just came back from the exhibition... very cool indeed!!! Even got a thumbdrive as doorgift! Thanks Panerai!

By the way, nice meeting u, Lee!

[dddrees]

Sounds great Lee, wish I could go. A bit too far away for me though.

Thanks for sharing.

[fstnlgl]

Thanks for the info and pics. Any chance the US will be able to see exhibit?

[zlin08033]

Thank you for sharing the pics.
Just wish I can be there as well...

[leeye]

Originally Posted by zlin08033

Thank you for sharing the pics.
Just wish I can be there as well...

hmm..........if you catch a flight from US to Shanghai you can still make it for the exhibition (just joking).

[Fearsome Puppy]

Lee you were right about repeat visits, made my second today (helps that it's two metro stops from home). Have uploaded a zip file of the brochure from the USB stick. Enjoy...

[ancs88]

hahaha...didn't even know there are some files in the USB stick!

[leeye]

i'm going to make a 3rd trip tomorrow with some friends :)

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by Fearsome Puppy

Lee you were right about repeat visits, made my second today (helps that it's two metro stops from home). Have uploaded a zip file of the brochure from the USB stick. Enjoy...

Thanks Kevin!
almost as good as being there!

[Shade]

The 8 days fiddy destro rocks! Thanks for sharing.

[leeye]

was told they sold off the limited edition Lo Scienziato Tourbillon watch at the exhibition. that's one bad a$$ watch to have on your wrist. very good for the success of the exhibition.