In a dazzling showcase of astronomical artistry and mechanical excellence, Panerai has taken center stage at Watches and Wonders 2025 with the debut of Jupiterium—a planetarium clock that boldly fuses horology, heritage, and the heavens.
Presented within Panerai’s immersive, deep navy and brushed metal-themed exhibition space in Geneva, the Jupiterium is more than just a timekeeping device—it is an ode to Galileo’s revolutionary legacy and a testament to the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking.
A Tribute to the Cosmos and Galileo
Inspired by the historical shift from the geocentric to heliocentric model, Jupiterium intriguingly restores the ancient Earth-centric view—just as Galileo would have seen it in the early 1600s. In this timepiece, Earth sits proudly at the center of a celestial sphere, with the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter (along with its four Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) orbiting it.
Designed to Impress and Endure
Encased in a glass dome and set on a rich mahogany base measuring 75x86cm and weighing approximately 110kg, the Jupiterium is a visually commanding presence. The black dial features long stick hour markers and luminous Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock for easy readability, enhanced further by Super-LumiNova®-coated hands.
With practical complications like a linear power reserve indicator marked “40 giorni” and an AM/PM meter, it balances celestial complexity with functional clarity.
The rehaut bears the proud engraving “Jupiterium,” and beneath it ticks Panerai’s Calendario Perpetuo—a perpetual calendar movement that accurately displays day, date, month, and year without adjustment until 2099. It even accounts for varying month lengths and leap years, requiring only a manual disc adjustment every century to keep time precise until the year 9999.
A Display of Advanced Mechanics
Jupiterium’s engineering marvel doesn’t stop at its calendar. The entire celestial mechanism is manually wound and operated by eight barrels—each powered by a 4-meter-long spring for a cumulative length of 32 meters. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, this system guarantees an impressive 40-day power reserve, enabling the clock’s multifaceted displays to run smoothly.
Among its most captivating features is a patented retrograde motion mechanism, simulating the optical illusion of Jupiter’s backward movement in the night sky. This rare complication—achieved through a system of counterweights and precisely engineered gears—brings astronomical events to life in real time, allowing viewers to witness celestial dance as perceived from Earth.
A Sky in Motion
The outer celestial sphere, made of two hemispheres connected by an equatorial ring etched with zodiac signs, completes a full rotation every sidereal day—23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds. Meanwhile, a rotating star vault showcases constellations in the night sky, further grounding the viewer’s experience in terrestrial perspective while embracing the wonder of the cosmos.
Composed of approximately 1,650 components, predominantly in lightweight yet strong titanium, the Jupiterium is not only mechanically complex but also designed for stability and durability. The choice of material helps manage the clock’s considerable weight while ensuring the long-term performance of its intricate inner workings.
Panerai’s Jupiterium is more than a clock; it’s a celebration of science, engineering, and history. Marrying Galileo’s celestial discoveries with modern-day horological mastery, this planetarium timepiece invites us to reflect on humanity’s endless quest for knowledge.
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