With his manifold list of audacious pursuits, photographer, alpinist, filmmaker and environmentalist, Jimmy Chin is the model of the modern hero Panerai creates instruments to serve. His intelligence, determination and creativity have guided him to historic accomplishments, including becoming one of the only people to ski off the summit of Mount Everest and receiving an Academy Award for co-directing documentary feature Free Solo.
Two watches inspired by his singular story, the Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Edition and the Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Xperience Edition, are tributes his indomitable spirit.
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The Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Xperience Edition features a lightweight and solid 47mm titanium case with matte black DLC coating while the crown, the lever and the bezel are in titanium. Dots, indices and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova™, a shaded gray dial and blue accents, like the central chronograph seconds hand, compose a high-contrast palette drawn from icy mountain landscapes.
The watch will be available in a limited edition of only 14 pieces. Aptly named, the Xperience Edition will include an opportunity to join an excursion to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Chin resides for much of each year. There, participants will be his guests for several days, getting an intimate view of his life through outdoor adventures, including climbing and wakeboarding, his leisure pastimes and favorite dining destinations. It will be the very first time Panerai has offered a US-based experience with Chin.
The Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Edition bears a close resemblance to the Xperience model. Still, it has an aesthetic character of its own, thanks to a 47mm brushed titanium case that fuses rugged wearability and a refined appearance. Exclusively available in the United States, it will be available in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
There are many features the watches share. Engineered with the precision required by elite adventurers, both are powered by the P.9100 movement. The movement features the flyback function, which allows the chronograph to reset and restart with one press of the pusher at eight o’clock, and a power reserve of three days.
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The case back is engraved with imagery that evokes Chin’s diverse and celebrated achievements: a dramatic mountain range, intersecting skis and a United States flag, along with a “Jimmy Chin Edition” inscription. Water-resistant up to 30 bar (about 300 meters), each watch features a trapezoidal pin buckle and two straps: a dual-material strap composed of rubber and gray technical fabric and another one made mainly of recycled plastic, in gray with light blue stitching.
Also included is a tool to allow interchangeability of the straps and a screwdriver for removing the buckle. The watches and their accessories are housed in boxes made from recycled plastic, part of an ongoing commitment by Panerai to be a leader in promoting environmentally responsible watch manufacture.
