One of the most appealing elements of watchmaking as we know it today, is its provenance. Knowing the watch or brand we put on our wrist represents the culmination of decades and sometimes centuries of history is part of why we take the trouble to wear these relics of the past. Panerai understands this and goes to great lengths to update its watches in a way that preserves the heritage while still being able to offer the customer something novel.
The Luminor Marina Panerai Goldtech™ PAM01112 is the perfect example of what we mean by this. With Panerai’s history of making watches for the Royal Italian Navy since the 20th century, a lot of their designs revolve around functionality and robustness in keeping with military use. However, for this modern watch, you can still see a lot of these historic elements preserved although they are more likely to be worn with business suits than diving suits. Like the crown guard, for example, it is no longer necessary to offer this kind of protection for a full gold watch but it is the inclusion of this feature that sometimes makes Panerai’s offerings one of a kind.
The gold used on this watch is Panerai’s trademarked Goldtech™ which is an alloy of gold combining copper and platinum to give it a more intensely red appearance. And with the large 44mm diameter of the case, the heft of this watch on the wrist is substantial in the best possible way. For the sapphire crystal, Panerai chose corundum, which is an aluminium oxide material that is the hardest known substance after diamonds. The technology put into the watch doesn’t stop there. Despite its classical appearance, the P.9010 calibre movement powering the watch is made with modern technologies like the Glucydur balance which is made mainly of beryllium and copper allowing it to be more stable through temperature changes. With its twin barrels among the 200 components of the movement, it can also provide the watch with a power reserve of 3 days.
On the dial, the watch offers a sandwich construction with the indices perforated to reveal the white Super-LumiNova beneath. Fun fact, the Luminor name actually came from Panerai’s innovative luminous substance, launched in 1949 that was both safer than the radium-based Radiomir lume (not to be confused with the collection of the same name) and glowed brighter. The Luminor collection today is recognised for its cushion-style case, wide and flat bezel, and its crown-protecting device. Each of these watches will be paired with a blue alligator leather strap to match the dial and its trapezoidal pin buckle will also be made with Panerai Goldtech™. In keeping with the original function of the Panerai watches, the new Luminor Marina Panerai Goldtech™ PAM01112 will be water resistant up to 300m.
