Read the name of this watch, and you’ll probably sense it’s got something bold and new going on. The Panerai Luminor Marina DMLS 44 PAM01662 is one of two “Prima Assoluta” releases of the brand for 2020, meaning the world premier of DMLS titanium combined with Carbotech. Direct Metal Laser Sintering technology sounds cool enough, and it’s hard to think of a better match than an “all-black” Luminor Marina.
Specifications
Brand: Panerai
Model: Luminor Marina DMLS 44 PAM01662
Dimensions: 44mm-wide, 14.2mm thick
Water Resistance: 30 bar (300 meters)
Case Material: DMLS Titanium case, Carbotech bezel, crown and lever
Crystal/Lens: sapphire crystal obtained from corundum
Movement: Panerai Caliber P.9010, 200 components
Frequency: 4Hz
Power Reserve: 3 days
Strap/Bracelet: Panerai Sportech, additional rubber strap
Price & Availability: $15,000 USD
DMLS titanium combines the lightness of the metal with newfound levels of resilience. Direct Metal Laser Sintering is a futuristic 3D printing process by which titanium powdered is sintered by a high-power fiber optic laser. This results in the “growth” of the metal in 30 micron (0.03mm) increments. This even allows for creating cavities inside the metal, hence making it lighter. Like anything layered, DMLS titanium is supposed to be tougher than the industry standard grade 5 titanium.
Speaking of layers: Carbotech is a multi-layer carbon composite material that Panerai has been using for its cases and bezels in recent years. This time around, the bezel, crown, and lever are crafted from Carbotech, driving this monochrome, yet high-tech, look home. Sandwiched between a titanium caseback and anthracite dial is Panerai Caliber P.9010, Panerai’s proprietary caliber that combines automatic winding with two barrels and three days of power reserve.
A neat trend likely to be welcomed by fans of the brand is Panerai finally focusing on its relatively more compact models to debut novel materials — I, for one, am a happy camper that the Luminor Marina’s 44mm-wide case features DMLS titanium and Carbotech, as opposed to a chunkier 47mm alternative.
Of all the new Panerai releases, this would’ve been the one I wish to have seen to get a better idea of how the DMLS titanium and Carbotech work together, as far as colors and textures are concerned. A proper Wrist Time review is very much in order. Price for the Panerai Luminor Marina DMLS 44 PAM01662 is $15,000 USD, and there’s no word of it being a limited edition. You may scout the brand’s website for more.
