Panerai Luminor Regatta Chronograph PAM 308 Luxury Watch Review

http://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/panerai#.VXtSCVqRMlI The Panerai Luminor Chronograph PAM 308 is one of only 500 built for the 2008 Panerai Special Series, but rarity is only half the appeal of this sports-centric Luminor Chrono. With a dial and bezel that embrace the spirit of open-water excitement and the high life of vintage yachting, this PAM 308 is ready for the Classic Yachts Challenge. Since 2003, Officine Panerai has embraced the culture of vintage yacht racing through the international Classic Yachts Challenge (CYC). Like the Tour Auto and the Mille Miglia revival, the CYC offers the owners of vintage competition machines - in this case, yachts - to test their skill and equipment under controlled conditions against comparably "veteran" vessels. The annual Panerai "Special Series" limited editions nearly always include a unique model dedicated to the CYC. For 2008, the Panerai Luminor Regatta Chronograph PAM 308 flew the flag for enthusiasts of the CYC. More than a co-branding exercise, the PAM 308 is a style standout that combines a sleek brushed steel case, inverted hobnail ("waffle pattern") dial, and ocean-blue highlights evocative of the high seas and endless sky. Each PAM 308 features the classic Panerai Luminor cushion case profile. It's unmistakably the same basic shape that spawned a global cult of "Paneristi" fans during the 1990s, and the famous crown locking lever stands ready at three o'clock. But, true to its name, the Panerai Luminor Regatta Chr