Luminor, the tritium-based luminous substance that Panerai named its watch after, just. turned 70-years-old. To celebrate, Panerai just dropped three new Luminor Marina watches that boast an unheard-of 70-year guarantee as part of Watches & Wonders 2020. These are the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1117 in titanium, the Luminor Marina PAM1118 in Carbotech, and the Luminor Marina PAM01119 in an all-new material called Fibratech. Each of these is limited to 270 pieces and will be boutique exclusives.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Panerai
Model: Luminor Marina PAM1117 Titanium, PAM01118 Carbotech, PAM01119 Fibratech
Dimensions: Titanium: 44mm-wide, 15.65mm-thick; Carbotech/Fibratech: 44mm-wide, 14.5mm-thick
Water Resistance: 300M
Case Material: titanium, carbotech, and fibratech
Crystal/Lens: sapphire obtained from corundum
Movement: P.9010 Calibre
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Power Reserve: 3 days
Strap/Bracelet: Panerai Sportech with luminescent stitching
Price & Availability: $19,000 for PAM1117 Titanium, $16,000 for PAM1118 Carbotech, $19,000 for PAM1119 Fibratech
First off, the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1119 is made of a new material called Fibratech, which uses mineral fibers from basalt rock and mineral additives that are bound with polymers and then are superimposed as thin layers, achieving an opaque and uneven texture, according to Panerai. This is a new material that has a largely aesthetic purpose, and I look forward to seeing in person. The dial on this model is done in anthracite, with a sunray pattern finish that seems to match well with the grayish Fibratech finish.
As for the PAM1118 in Carbotech, we’ve covered Panerai watches in the past that use this carbon-fiber material, and this might be my favorite of the three. With a black sunray dial, this is the darkest of the trio, and I love how the black against the lume looks. It’s so subtly idiosyncratic while maintaining the brooding Carbotech style.
Finally, the PAM1117 in Titanium goes a little lighter, both literally and metaphorically, as it weighs just 100g (including strap) and has a deep blue sunray dial with matching blue strap. Something I didn’t know is that the case of this watch is manufactured through DMLS, a 3D printing process “involving the sedimentation of titanium powder, sintered layer by layer by a high-powered optical fiber laser, 30 microns (0.03 mm) at a time.”
As these watches are all about celebrating the 70th anniversary of Luminor, there is lume throughout. Of course, a modern lume is used with Super-LumiNova’s new generation of X1 which is brighter and longer-lasting. Rather than the typical application of lume to hands and indices, Panerai has applied it to the flange, dial inscriptions, crown protector/lever, as well as the stitching on the strap.
If a ridiculously long guarantee from Panerai sounds familiar, you may be thinking of theLAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech from a couple of years ago that had a 50-year guarantee. It’s an interesting experiment to try out with some of these highly limited pieces, and for a Paneristi with means, a unique and special feature when thinking about handing the piece down to future generations.
Each of these three Panerai Luminor Marina watches uses the in-house P.9010 calibre that operates at 28,800 vph and has a 3-day (72-hour) power reserve. Interestingly, Panerai chose not to have an exhibition caseback but rather a titanium (DLC-coated titanium, in the case of the PAM1118 Carbotech) with “70 years guarantee” engraved on the back. Personally, I’d have opted for a subtler execution of that guarantee, but that’s just me. (Plus, I don’t think the caseback lets you know when that 70 years kicks off.)
Again, each of these watches is limited to 270 pieces and will be sold exclusively in Panerai boutiques. The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1117 Titanium is priced at $19,000 USD; the Luminor Marina PAM1118 Carbotech is priced at $16,000 USD; and Luminor Marina PAM1119 Fibratech is price at $19,000 USD. You can learn more at panerai.com.
