As many of you have come to realize, the guys here at Gear Patrol are big fans of Panerai watches. New models get released all the time, but few make as bold a statement as this watch here, the Panerai Luminor 1950 Ceramic 8 days Chrono Monopulsante. Otherwise referred to as PAM 317, this watch was recently released at Basel 2008 and has been generating considerable buzz ever since the announcement.

Although this isn’t the first ceramic Panerai to be released (that honor belongs to the ceramic Radiomir), it is the brand’s first Luminor case to be made in ceramic. For those of you that don’t know, ceramic hardened watches are significantly tougher than their steel counterparts. The specs on this watch are impressive to say the least, featuring an 8 day manual wound in-house manufacture movement with a horizontal power reserve indicator, second time zone GMT function, exhibition case back to view that amazing movement, 24 hr indicator, and of course the single button chronograph function.

Cost: ~$27,000 @ Panerai

My love for Panerai timepieces knows no bounds. So I knew I’d be smitten with Magrette’s very (very) Panerai-esque timepiece, the new Regattare Valencia.

The 44mm Regattare Valencia is an hommage to the New Zealand team participating in the America’s Cup. It’s a 21 jewel automatic timepiece with a 45 hour reserve and ‘Parashock’ shock resistance enclosure. The timepiece will be limited to 500 numbered pieces worldwide and sold with a gorgeous vintage leather roll case. Images of the roll case and Kauri Wood box after the jump.

Cost: $369 @ Magrette + $30 Shipping

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You need a watch that matches your spirit of adventure, and we’ve found the perfect one for you. The new Tissot T-Touch Expert Titanium.

If you’re not already familiar with the T-Touch, it’s a watch featuring a touch sensitive screen that activates numerous functions, including alarm, chronograph, altimeter, thermometer, compass, and more. What makes this particular model stand out from the rest of the line is the robust XL size titanium case and increased water resistance to 100m. It’s a hefty watch, and the presence is undeniable. If you’re sporting this bad boy on your wrist, we know you mean business, and not to mention, we know you’re part gadget freak as well.

Cost: $1100 @ Tissot

Also See: EP Martin Sahara RTS Limited Edition | $1295

Digital watches aren’t what you remember from the 80’s. Not so long as there are watches like the Michael Young PXR-6 digital watch, a classic piece with a hint of post-modern design and ruggedness.

You’ll find the digital read out crisp and easy to read with it’s bright time and date readout on dark background and a blue illumination backlight. The, otherwise European only, watch is now back and sold at Charles & Marie. The Michael Young PXR-6 is available in a variety of combinations but stick with steel, gold or our favorite, an all black ultranoir version [first on the left]

Editor’s Tip: Perfect for those weekend trips by the water where your Bell & Ross is anything but appropriate.

Cost: $130-$150 @ Charles & Marie

The Bell & Ross Instrument Grand Minuteur is a massive watch measuring in at 44mm x 50mm and is packed with enough functionality to match it’s presence.

It’s primary function is the measurement of time and features two tools to do so. An hour counter for longer periods connected to a large counter that measures shorter durations of time. It’s water resistant to 100m, has a 10 day power reserve, rubber or alligator strap, an ultra-light glass bead blasted titanium case, virtually unscratchable coating, anti-reflection sapphire crystal and carbon fibre dials. [via Professional Watches]

Cost: TBD @ Bell & Ross

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The Eterna KonTiki Diver timepiece isn’t the newest one around, but it definitely was the first to deploy a hinged led mechanism that allows the mechanical movement container to move from the bridge of the bracelet, negating any errors from the parallax effect. Once the dive time is set on the dual-rotating bezel the diver can then then lock the container back into the bridge without fear of unnecessary bezel rotation. Nice.

The timepiece is designed using automobile industry grade sealing mechanisms that allow the Eterna KonTiki to have not only a diving ring adjusted by a rotating bezel instead of a crown but also hold watertight down to 1000 meters.

The black dial of the KonTiki diver is easily legible under any light with it’s large white numbers, raised index marks and wide hands. It measures a robust 46mm and the case is made of PVD coated titanium.

What this means to you: This one’s definitely a no holds bard diver’s watch in every sense of the matter. Now, if I can just get past the name, KonTiki.

Cost: $7,360 @ Gemnation

If you need to measure 1/1000th of a second then you’re likely involved with a sport I know little about. Last I checked seconds weren’t measured in golf. The Eco-Drive Super Chronograph Calibre U700/U70 from Citizen is the second company after TAG Heuer to accomplish this according to our friends at Professional Watches.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

There are functions for lap memo to check previous results, best lap recall, average lap and lap speed. Functions are controlled through hinged buttons ensuring proper chronograph use and the bezel serves as a slide rule. Rounding out the features are world time, calendar, alarm and LED light. And no, it’s not a coincidence that the dials are housed in an enclosure that looks like a vehicle’s instrument cluster. [via Professional Watches]

The Alti Chrono TI by Nike is a great watch for guy’s looking for a unique timepiece that’s classic in looks and rugged in functionality. The case is made of solid titanium with an analog altimeter with (up-to) 5000m altitude accurate within one meter increments.

The chronograph will tracks 1/20th second increments up to the first minute-after one minute. The face is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is water resistant up to 200m.

As a limited edition watch, there are only 1,002 pieces being created. Each unit is satmped with a unique number and features four Lance Armstrong icons engraved on the back.

Cost: $599 @ NikeStore

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The De Grisogono Meccanico DG is an innovative new watch and despite of its digital looks, it’s entirely mechanical. The watch is constructed of 651 separate pieces and contains no LEDs or digital parts. Made out of titanium, this piece is built to last and is going to be in limited production. Di Grisogono is only producing 177 of these bad boys to memorialize their 50th anniversary.

The Meccanic DG will be able to display 2 time zones and is billed as the most complicated mechanical digital watch in the world, probably because it’s first mechanical-digital watch. The digital display is actually a series of cams that rotate to form the digital numbers on the watch. Available in four styles; red gold/titanium, gold/titanium, and platinum/titanium. The Meccanico DG is water resistant up to 100 and is presumed to cost a pretty penny. [via]

What this means to you: If you can get your hands on this limited time piece, besides the fact that no price has been listed, you my friend are a master of the hustle. This watch has more complicated mechanics then most cars and you can also be proud at the fact that you’re keeping it real with the tightest analog watch around.

Also See: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic

More images after the jump.

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The “Big Bang” marks Hublot’s new Fusion concept. With a mix of sportiness and elegance. Either way, it looks incredible.

The casing is black ceramic and 44.5mm and inside you’ll find the new Jacquet 1859 mechanical movement with an automatic winding mechanism visible throug hit’s exposition backing. Other components include a circular-grained bottom-plate, polished satin-finish bridges with chamfered edges, black PVD screws and an oscillating weight. The weight even sports the Hublot color scheme. Other intersting composition of materials are the stamped carbon dial, enlarged bezel (also in cermaic) polished and blocked with ‘H’ shaped slots.

What this means to you: Tired of unique-ness yet? Me neither. Hot.

Cost: $12,600 @ Hublot