The series of Panerai watches inspired by ancient Chinese astrological tradition has been enhanced by a new creation dedicated to the Year of the Dog.

It is a special edition of 88 watches with superb engravings on the cover made by master craftsmen using the ancient Italian technique of Sparsello.

The new Luminor 1950 Sealand 3 Days Automatic Acciaio – 44mm (PAM00858) is the tenth model

created since 2009 by Panerai in honour of the fascinating tradition of the Chinese Zodiac, which dates back to the 14th century BC.

After the watches dedicated to the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the

Horse, the Goat, the Monkey and the Rooster, the new Luminor 1950 Sealand welcomes and celebrates the Year of the Dog, which will begin on February 16, 2018.

Those born under the sign of the Dog have strong feelings and an exceptional regard for those close to them. They are honest and sincere, so other people trust them. Meticulous and brilliantly intelligent, they may seem a little reserved and persistent, but they have a sense of honour and decency which makes them invaluable companions, just like the animal under whose sign they were born, according to Chinese belief.

The dogs appear on the cover of this new special edition, engraved with the finest technique in a style inspired by traditional Chinese iconography and surrounded by plum flowers, chosen for their auspicious significance.

Each of the 88 watches produced for this special edition has been adorned by hand by the best Italian master engravers using the ancient technique of “sparsello”, so named after the special tool used to decorate the cover.

First grooves are made in the steel before they are inlaid with gold threads in multiple parallel layers; these are then beaten until they completely fill the grooves which together form the outlines of the Dog and the sophisticated decoration.

The work requires extraordinary skill on the part of the craftsmen because the process of inlaying the threads of gold is carried out after the lid has already been engraved and polished, so the slightest error could damage all the work done previously.

The engraved cover protects a grey dial, simple and easy to read, with Arabic numerals, linear hour markers and luminous dots, a small seconds dial at 9 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock. The cover has a small signalling mirror on the back and it is fitted to the Luminor 1950 case, 44 mm in diameter, which is made of brushed stainless steel.

The movement of the new watch is the P.9000 automatic calibre, produced by Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. Solid and reliable, the movement has a power reserve of three days and it is fitted with a bi-directional oscillating weight and the device for quickly adjusting the hour hand, which also automatically changes the date.

Available exclusively in Panerai boutiques, the watch is presented with a spare black rubber strap, a special tool for changing the strap and a screwdriver.