Panerai's Jupiterium Planeterium Clock is a Work of Art

Photo Courtesy: Officine Panerai

Italian watchmaker Officine Panerai, founded in Florence in 1860, has long been the official supplier of precision instruments for the Italian Navy. Still operating out of its original boutique in Florence, Officine Panerai has also been associated with Museo Galileo for a long time now. Taking this partnership to another level, and commemorating Galileo and his contributions, Officine Panerai launched Jupiterium, L'Astronomo and Lo Scienziato.

Jupiterium takes us back to the time when the Earth was not only believed to be the centre but also stationary. Celebrating 400 years since Galileo first observed Jupiter and its moons owing to his invention of the telescope, Jupiterium accurately shows the Earth at the centre and the relative positions of the sun, the moon, Jupiter and its four satellites; Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Its transparent exterior is made up of two halves that represent the two hemispheres. The glass also features the 12 signs of the zodiac and stars studded in constellations. The clock depicts a sidereal day wherein the sky makes a complete rotation in 23 hours and 56 minutes. This brings forth the apparent motion of the stars considering an observer based on Earth. The other celestial bodies are also depicted in their own orbits, with utmost precision. Comprising 1,476 parts and weighing about 110 kilograms, this planetarium clock is hand wound and the perpetual calendar does not require any adjustments till the year 2100.

Photo via www.luxury-insider.com

The two wristwatches L'Astronomo and Lo Scienziato, which also celebrate Galileo and his discoveries, are claimed to be the most complicated and most exclusive wristwatches the company has ever made.

Of the three pieces that have been created, one is on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence, in a newly created space dedicated to Galileo and his findings. While the second will be kept by Officine Panerai, the officials are still uncertain about the third.