Introducing: The Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica PAM01783 — Now With A Blue Dial
Last month, Mike brought you the details of a new 40mm Panerai Luminor in ceramic. That was the first time Panerai applied ceramic to a 40mm case. Well, the brand has already pulled the veil off an extension to that model with the PAM01783, featuring a deep blue dial. This new Luminor GMT Ceramica is a limited edition of 80 pieces exclusively available on Panerai’s e-commerce platform. With the inaugural 40mm Ceramica being a serial-production model, this new blue PAM01783 is targeted at collectors seeking a rare find. Is the blue dial enough to tempt more onlookers? Let’s dive in.
A 40mm case may seem average for the watch industry. However, for Panerai’s outsized diver’s watches, it’s on the small side. Furthermore, ceramic Panerai watches, the first of which debuted in 2007, have typically had 44–48mm diameters, so releasing a 40mm ceramic model was a strong move for the brand. I recently had dinner in London and spotted the newly launched PAM01460 on a lady’s wrist. In combination with her outfit, it looked incredible. Due to its classic cushion case shape, the Luminor, even in the smaller size, has considerable presence. However, the diameter reduction, combined with the sandblasted black ceramic case, prevented it from appearing ungainly. As much as I enjoy the Panerai Luminor silhouette, when it exceeds the 44mm mark, the design can start to look a bit comical. But the design truly shone in its 40mm form, and I would say that it was rather elegant.
Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica PAM01783
That was the black dial, but now Panerai amps up the luster with a new blue sunray-brushed dial. Using hollowed-out indexes and numerals, Panerai recalls a hallmark feature, placing a layer of X2 Super-LumiNova as a luminescent disc beneath the dial. Forming the mainstay sandwich dial ensures this Panerai retains its classic traits. And honestly, a sandwich dial should be a feature of every Panerai Luminor. That is why I am sometimes disappointed to see this is not true for all releases, especially in the sub-€6k Base Logo range. But I am glad the sandwich dial appears on this new PAM01783, and I am noticing it more with the latest Panerai models.
The “Ceramica” part of the name refers to the ceramic case, which perfectly complements the Luminor design. By outfitting the iconic shape in a dark, matte material, Panerai ensures that the lever-release crown protector stands out. Ceramic is also lightweight and highly resistant to extreme temperatures and scratches. Like the black-dial version, the LE blue-dial model is a GMT, denoted by the Italian term “BiTempo” on the dial, which translates to “dual time.”
While it is cool to have that functionality, the GMT indication is not the easiest to read. By gunning for purity and heritage inspiration, the GMT misses out on some key functionality. Namely, the GMT scale does not have clear indications to distinguish between AM and PM because it follows a 12-hour rotation, like the main hour hand. The consequent lack of a corresponding day/night scale hampers the complication’s usability if the wearer is not already familiar with the offset between local and home time.
Final details and pricing
Powering PAM01783 is the automatic P.900/GMT, which features a 72-hour power reserve. Like the black dial, the caliber is visible through the smoked sapphire crystal and Grade 5 titanium case back. The movement is rich in features, with hacking seconds, a quick-set 12-hour hand, and a quick-set date window at 3 o’clock. That date disc’s color also matches the blue dial. However, it would’ve been ideal for Panerai to expand the 40mm Luminor Ceramica collection by dropping the GMT function. As exciting as last month’s all-black edition was, I feel the limited edition needed to diversify the model beyond the blue dial with a different movement configuration. Perhaps a time-only model with full numerals, like the recently announced PAM01759, would’ve changed it up a bit. Nevertheless, for the aquatically inclined among us, the Panerai Ceramica PAM01783 achieves a 30-bar (~300m) depth rating with a 25% margin on top of this.
To handle this water resistance, the watch comes equipped with a blue 22mm rubber strap with the Panerai logo on it. The strap features the toolless PAM Click Release System, allowing for easy swapping between this strap and the included black calfskin strap with white stitching. You’ll need to swap over the 20mm trapezoidal micro-sandblasted and PVD-coated titanium buckle. However, this pin buckle also features a PAM Click Release System, allowing for easy switching.
The Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica PAM01783 is a limited edition of 80 pieces and costs €15,800 / US$16,300 / £13,400. The price is slightly higher than the black-dial model, which I can only assume is due to the exclusive nature of this piece. Please let us know what you think of this new blue-dial ceramic watch from Panerai in the comments section below.
