The Panerai Luminor Marina Goldtech is One of 2020’s Hottest New Watches
Panerai & Sharp
There are few watches that can be easily spotted across a room, and fewer still that look as good as the Panerai Luminor. Its big cushion-shaped case, meaty lugs and that patented crown-protecting bridge, along with its oversized glowing numerals, make the Luminor instantly recognizable. These things, however, are just the start of this historic diving watch’s appeal. The new Panerai Luminor Marina Goldtech takes the Luminor’s iconic silhouette and reimagines it in precious metal, creating a piece that is beautiful, functional and uniquely luxurious.
This year, in honour of the Luminor’s 70th birthday, Panerai has gone all-out with new Luminor models in a wide range of materials, from classic steel to 21st-century Carbotech. While many of these are limited-editions destined for the wrists of the most ardent Panerai collectors (or Paneristi, as they are known) the PAM1112 is a permanent addition to the collection. With its rich golden hue, classic lines and an in-house calibre, it’s not hard to see how it earned its place.
The appeal of the Luminor goes back to the 1950s, when Panerai created it as a high-tech diving watch for the Italian Navy. The Luminor’s unique locking crown protector was an essential feature for navy divers in the field, as was its namesake lume – the substance applied to its numerals to make them glow in the dark – which had been patented by Panerai in 1949. Then, as now, there was no other watch like it.
In 2020, Panerai has evolved from a supplier of military instruments to a luxury Swiss watchmaker, but the boundary-pushing spirit of the original Luminor remains strong. As the latest addition to the Luminor family, the PAM1112 celebrates this history while appealing to a whole new era of watch enthusiasts. This new Luminor’s most notable feature is its 44mm case made from Goldtech, a proprietary gold with a distinctive red hue developed by Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee. A unique combination of copper, platinum and gold helps to achieve its intense, unique tone, while also making it resistant to scratches and oxidation. A deep blue sandwich dial with satiné soleil decoration offers a handsome contrast to the case’s golden glow.
The PAM1112’s appeal, however, is not limited to its precious metal case. As a thoroughly modern mechanical timepiece, it features the Panerai Caliber P.9010, an automatic movement measuring only 6mm thick and entirely designed and developed by the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This sturdy and high-performance movement features a three day power reserve, a balance wheel made of Glucydur for increased reliability and durability, and a rapid time adjustment function connected to the date indicator for easy date and time setting.
Being a dive watch, of course, the new Luminor Marina Goldtech is also water-resistant up to 50 metres, and comes with a dark blue rubber strap in addition to one made of navy blue alligator leather. Like every Luminor to come before it, this is a watch designed with superior performance in mind. Whether you’re snorkeling in the Mediterranean or working the room at a black-tie gala, there’s no mistaking the Luminor Marina Goldtech for anything else.
Price: $29,800
