Officine Panerai for Ferrari California
Officine Panerai, licensee for the watches of the House of Maranello, could not fail to mark the occasion of the presentation at the Paris Salon of the latest model from the Prancing Horse, the Ferrari California. This is an extremely innovative car but one which in its philosophy recalls the spirit and character of a great Ferrari of the past: the 250 California of 1957, an open car of absolute elegance, born to race, which over the years has become a symbol not only of sporting character and superior performance but also of exclusivity; a masterpiece of craftsmen’s skill and great sophistication. Little more than 100 examples were produced from 1958 to early 1963, about half of them the short-wheelbase version; they were designed by Sergio Pininfarina with bodywork in steel or aluminium, hand-beaten by Sergio Scaglietti. At the wheel of these most beautiful cars were several of the most famous actors in Hollywood, such as Steve McQueen and James Coburn. The French writer Françoise Sagan also owned one, which she drove with bare feet on the roads of the Côte d’Azur, like a rebellious teenager.
The new Ferrari California is a car with sporting DNA, a convertible with a retractable hard top that is distinguished by great innovations, capable of ensuring great driving pleasure and enjoyment as well as being flexible in use. In line with Ferrari tradition, this model has many original features, and it has the first V8 engine in the history of Ferrari road cars to be mounted in the mid-front position.
Panerai too, with its unmistakable look, has decided to link its own collection with the glorious moments of the Prancing Horse, by producing a watch; the hands of which set the pace together with another emblem of the Ferrari universe, one which is destined to become a must not only for enthusiasts but also for dreamers.
The watch is a flyback chronograph with two counters, produced in a unique edition of 300 examples. With its stylish characteristics and its use of special materials, it combines the classic and the modern in the same way as the latest production born under the sign of the Drake, as Enzo Ferrari was known.
Technical specification
Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai OP XIX calibre, 13¼ lignes, 30 jewels. Glucydur® monometallic balance, 28,800 vibrations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 42 hours. Côtes de Genève decoration, blued screws. Rotor engraved with the prancing horse. C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.
Functions: Hours, minutes and small seconds, flyback chronograph with two counters, tachymeter scale.
Case: Diameter 45 mm, steel with polished finish and brushed edges, screw-down chronometer push-pieces and winding crown with the Ferrari logo; rims with square grill decoration.
Bezel: Steel with brushed finish.
Back: Steel and carbon, screw-down, with engraving of the prancing horse; on the edge is engraved the inscription “Engineered by OFFICINE PANERAI”. Personalised engraving below the prancing horse.
Dial: Black with the Ferrari California logo, minute scale in 60ths, applied markers every 5 minutes, tachymeter scale on the outer edge, continuous small seconds at 9 o’clock, minute counter at 3 o’clock. Hands of the counters, central chronograph seconds hand, hour and minute hands and the first 15 minutes in red.
Crystal: Sapphire, 1.9 mm thick, with double anti-reflective treatment.
Water-resistance: 100 metres (10 bar).
Strap: Black alligator with contrasting sewing, the inner part of red cayman with red sewing, brushed steel personalised adjustable buckle with polished edges of the closure. Spare rubber strap inscribed with the word “Ferrari”.
Reference: FER00030
Unique edition of 300 examples
Now up to 45mm wide (up from 43mm) the Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL beats the older XL in size and design for the look of the sportier version of the standard Riviera watch that wasn’t exactly stuffy to begin with. 
Panerai, watch licensee of Ferrari, was the opportunity to go beyond a watch that matches the latest model of the house Maranello presented during the Paris Motor Show: Ferrari California.
The Ferrari California watch, made by Panerai, a flyback chronograph with two counters, produced in a limited edition of just 400 units. The red hands and digits 0 (12) to 3 and the layout of the dial refer to the revolution of the car.
