Panerai held an exclusive preview of the 2007 Ferrari "Engineered by Officine Panerai" Timepieces as well as a live viewing of the 2007 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix last night at Spark Woodfire Grill - Beverly Hills.  The event started at 8:30pm on Saturday night which is fairly late for an event, but since we were going to watch the Japanese Grand Prix live, I'm glad it was 8:30pm instead of 8:30am  

 
Beautiful Ferrari "Engineered by Officine Panerai" sign

FER13
Since I arrived a little early, I went straight to the watches and took some snap shots of the Ferrari watches before it got crowded.  The first watch in the display case was the FER13 which is the 45mm Ferrari red dialed chronograph in steel.  Chad, the always wonderful and gracious host and Panerai Beverly Hills Boutique Manager, said this model is currently the best selling Ferrari Panerai model, and I'm not surprised that it is.  The black and red hands provide a nice stealth look which match with the 3-subdial chronograph counters.

Ferrari red-dialed chronograph FER13

FER18 & FER19
The next two watches are 2 new smaller 40mm Ferrari's targetted for the women or you men with puny wrists .  Red Ferrari watches are from the Granturismo line while the yellow Ferrari watches are from the Scuderia collection.  The FER18 and FER19 are both 2-register automatic chronographs housed in steel cases.

40mm FER18

40mm FER19

FER17 GMT Alarm with date

FER14
Here's a new model which probably captures the eyes of most Ferrari Panerai enthusiasts - it's the new FER14 Flyback chronograph with carbon fiber dial.  Ferrari lets owners order a full carbon fiber package which costs around $20k, so I knew Panerai would come out with a carbon fiber dial Ferrari watch someday.  Carbon fiber trim is not standard in regular model Ferrari cars, but I believe you can order different carbon fiber packages ranging from ~$10,000 for the interior all the way up to ~$20,000 for the interior and engine bay.  I'm not a Ferrari car owner so please don't shoot me down if these are the incorrect figures   Either way, I'm glad they put the carbon fiber at a "diamond" 45 degree angle cause it provides for more character than if the carbon fiber were at a "square" 90 degree angle.

FER14 carbon fiber flyback chronograph

The display back of the FER14 has a printed honeycomb pattern on the sapphire back which makes viewing the movement a bit uncooperative.  Either way, I personally always prefer a display back over a solid caseback any day so I can learn to live with this honeycomb pattern.

Display back of the FER14 carbon fiber flyback chronograph

FER7
Next is the special edition Pink Gold 8 days GMT using Panerai's calibre P.2002/2 in-house movement.  I don't know why but I've never been a fan of this specific watch because of the dial design and layout.  To me, the empty space between the center of the watch and the date at 3 o'clock has always made the watch appear disporportionate and unsymmetrical to me IMO. 

Special edition pink gold FER7 w/ P.2002/2 in-house movement

 
Steel FER12 w/ P.2002/2 in-house movement

FER15
The next watch is the special edition FER15 perpetual calendar.  The 45mm steel case houses the Panerai OP XXII calibre, and the pink gold special edition version is the FER16.  I wanted to play around with this FER15 but Chad said someone dropped it on the floor (gasp) and so the crown was stuck.  Of all the Panerai Ferrari watches on display, this one was my most favorite. 

Special edition steel FER15 perpetual calendar

One thing I dislike about the perpetual though is the numbering of the date subdial at 6 o'clock.  It's numbered in 3-day intervals, so when you quickly glance at that subdial to see what's today's date, you'll have to read the subdial carefully. 

Date subdial at 6 o'clock, month & leap year at 3 o'clock

Otherwise, the FER15 fits great on the wrist, as do all the 45mm Ferrari watches, and the lugs are slightly pointed downward which increases wearability of the watch on smaller wrists. 

 
Solid caseback of the FER15 perpetual calendar

After looking at the watches, I decided it was time to grab a drink!  "Bartender, hit me with a Jack and coke with lime!"  Am I buzzed already?  Looks like the bartender is pulling some Matrix type moves!

Bartender moving as fast as a Ferrari

It's probably around 9:30pm, and I already a small dinner with my family prior to the event so my stomach wasn't growling.  Either way, how can one turn down free food especially if there are baby back ribs and crab cakes! 

 
All you can eat buffet style

What's an event report without satisfying head WFED'er Dr. MTF, so here are some quick shots of what I scooped onto my plate - baby back ribs, crab cakes, potatoes, string beans, and french fries.

 Here's a shot of our very own GO Moderator Art's salad and french fries combo.  Delicious! 

I didn't pay much attention to the race but I do know that it didn't start on time due to the rain delay.  And as a fan of AP watches besides Panerai's, I noticed that Rubens Barrichello wasn't doing so well in this race.  Everytime I saw the standings on the screen, Barrichello seemed to be at the end of the pack :P

Guests were glued to the projector screen

And lastly, let me end this report with a few more Ferrari watch pictures

My top 3 Ferrari watches at the preview

Hope you enjoyed this brief preview of the 2007 Ferrari "Engineered by Officine Panerai" Timepieces, and many thanks once again to Chad and Panerai for their hospitality.

Cheers,
Anthony