Panerai Luminor Marina 44 mm PAM01117 Will Glow Your Socks Off
As far as anniversaries go, this one is cool. While we’re used to hearing about brands or specific models/model families celebrating significant (or often seemingly arbitrary) dates in their history, it is less common to celebrate the anniversary of a component, or, in this case, a substance that went on to change a brand’s history. But here we are. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Luminor, the tritium-based glow-in-dark goo that turns 70 this year.
And how did Luminor’s inventors Panerai choose to celebrate? By jumping the lume shark on a pair of rocket-powered water-skis, of course. While the Luminor name is now better known as the family that first brought the luminous substance to the market, its origins are as the moniker given to the glowing gunk that gave the Panerai dials of the 1950s their characteristic va-va-voom. And talking of va-va-voom (as we seem to be less inclined to do since Thierry Henry retired), Panerai’s latest model, the Luminor Marina 44m PAM01117, has bags of it. So many bags of it, in fact, Panerai are confident it will continue to va-va and/or voom for another 70 years. And if it doesn’t? No worries, the brand has you covered. Now THAT is one heck of a guarantee.
We’ve seen luminous exterior elements before. That part is nothing new. The fact it seemed like a good idea when the design team put their heads together is also nothing new. Every brand that’s tried this stunt before thought the same. They were going to change the game. This was it. Their day in the sun (or moon, or whatever). The difference here, however, is that they might just have been right…
Lifechanging
Is it useful? Probably not. The occasions when this kind of tech could be deemed essential or lifechanging are few and far between. Perhaps if your submarine has been blown to kingdom come by a midnight missile and you’re floating around the pacific with only your wrist above water then maybe, just maybe, the PAM01117 might save your life. But it’s rare that luxury watchmaking has anything to do with survival. It is all about living, and living well! And the new PAM01117 is ready and able to live well alongside you for the next seven decades.
Let’s be straight-up here: This watch looks pretty darn cool. It’s next-level crazy, but it’s certainly a light show. That almost nuclear glow is achieved by using Super-LumiNovaTM X1 to outline the case and essential elements. It is the latest generation of lume available. It’s even worked its way into the stitching on the strap. If ever there was a watch made for the world of Tron, this is it.
3D printing
This titanium titan weighs just 100g including the strap, so while everyone around you will notice what you’re wearing on your wrist, it may actually be possible to forget it’s there in practice. The case, rather than being milled, is created via a futuristic process. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (or DMSL) is an advanced form of 3D printing that sinters layer after layer of titanium powder, 20 microns at a time.
Beating away inside this remarkable case is the automatic P.9010. This reference has been developed by Panerai at its Neuchâtel base. The fact it is only 6mm thick adds to the massive weight reduction. And the manufacturers must be confident in its quality because 70 years is a long warranty for a brand to commit to. Given the expected lifespan of the watch, Panerai has wisely chucked in an extra strap. In addition to the Panerai Sportech strap the watch comes fitted to, a blue rubber strap is included also. Learn more here.
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