Panerai Introduces Slew of New Models, From Extra-Thin to Carbotech to Hand-Engraved Firenze
Panerai has just unleashed 11 new models, including its first extra-thin. Here’s the rundown on all the launches, including pricing.Two weeks after Panerai unveiled its first ever minute repeater (a decimal, second time zone repeater no less), the watchmaker will open Dive Into Time, a comprehensive exhibition of the brand’s historical timepieces, in its spiritual home of Florence (taking place 18 to 21 May; more details at bottom).
And alongside the exhibition inauguration Panerai has just unveiled a surprising line-up of new watches. The diverse new models, numbering 11 in total, to the collection make their debut just months after Panerai showed off its latest wares at SIHH 2016.
All the new releases will reach stores between September and October 2016. Prices are in Euros and include taxes.
A quartet of extra-thin models
Standing in stark and slim contrast to the typical chunky Panerai, the Luminor Due is Panerai’s first extra-thin wristwatch, standing just just 10.5mm high as a hand-wind or 10.7mm for the automatic. That’s not record-setting territory, but it’s drastic for Panerai, being almost half the thickness of the average Panerai wristwatch.
According to Panerai chief executive Angelo Bonati, the Luminor Due – due translates as “two” – is the second generation Luminor of sorts, conceived to appeal beyond the traditional Panerai buyer.
Luminor Due 3 Days 42mm (PAM00676 and PAM00677)
The entry-level model is the hand-wound Luminor Due 3 Days that’s 42mm wide and 10.5mm high. It’s available in steel (PAM676) or red gold (PAM677). Both are powered by the P.1000 movement that has a three-day power reserve and hacking, zero-reset seconds.
The key specs for the stainless steel PAM676: metallic sun ray brushed dial with sandwich construction, P.1000 movement, and 30m water-resistance. Price is €7900 (approximately US$8900).
The red gold PAM677 is almost identical, except the dial is dark grey and the movement inside is the fancier P.1000/10 which has a skeletonised three-quarter plate. This will retail for €21,500 (about US$24,000).
Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic 45mm (PAM00674 and PAM00675)
Larger than its hand-wound counterpart, the 45mm Luminor Due automatic is only marginally thicker at 10.7mm, and similarly rated to 30m. Inside is the P.4000, a self-winding movement with a micro-rotor, a common feature of slimmer movements.
The differentiation between the steel and red gold versions is the same as with the hand-wound Luminor Due. The stainless steel PAM674 has a black sandwich dial and the basic P.4000 movement, with a price of €10,400 (about US$11,800).
And the red gold PAM675 has a dark grey dial and the P.4000/10, featuring skeletonised bridges and base plate, as well as a 22k gold rotor. This is priced at €24,900 (around US$28,200).
The slimmed down Luminor 1950 & a new calibre P.9010
Five new Luminor 1950 watches make their debut today, a pair in 42mm and three in 44mm, plus one Carbotech model. They have the familiar 1950 look but actually share a redesigned Luminor 1950 case, with slightly different proportions – most notably thinner lugs – and reduced thickness with a flat case back.
All five new Luminor 1950s are equipped with the P.9010. Essentially an upgraded version of the existing P.9000 – key improvements are a thinner profile and a balance bridge secured on two sides – the new calibre is automatic with a three-day power reserve, date and an independently adjustable hour hand.
These will replace the equivalent Luminor 1950s with the P.9000 in the current collection. So the PAM1312 will succeed the PAM312, the PAM1359 takes over the PAM359 and so on.
Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 42mm (PAM01392 and PAM01523)
The smaller Luminor 1950 42mm is available with a white dial featuring dot indices (PAM1523), or the traditional black Panerai dial (PAM1392). The case is just 13.2mm high, and is rated to 100m.
Both are priced at €7200 (about US$8100).
Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 44mm (PAM01312, PAM01359 and PAM01499)
The larger Luminor 1950 44mm also available in white (PAM1499) or black (PAM1312), as well as a third option in black with Arabic numerals as hour markers (PAM1359). Case thickness is 15.6mm and depth rating is 300m.
The price is €7300 (about US$8300) each for all of the three.
Luminor Marina 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic (PAM00661)
And rounding up the group is the Luminor Marina 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic (PAM661). This has a case made from the carbon composite Panerai debuted on the Luminor Submersible Carbotech last year. The case gets its distinctive striped pattern from the layered carbon fibre sheets that comprise the material.
The black dial has ecru Super-Luminova on the hands and markers; the round hour markers are appropriated from Panerai’s Submersible diver watches.
This is also equipped with the P.9010 movement, while the carbon composite case is 44mm in diameter and rated to 300m. It is not a limited edition, and the price is €11,500 (about US$13,000).
Radiomir Firenze 3 Days Acciaio (PAM00672)
The last of the new additions is a successor to the Radiomir Firenze of last year. This year’s edition (PAM672) is similar decorated on the case, but also features an engraved movement.
Hand-engraved depicting Florentine motifs covers the front and flanks of the 47mm steel case, while the black, sun ray brushed dial has another emblem of Florence, the fleur-de-lis, at six o’clock.
More unusually the movement inside is the P.3000/F. All of its bridges are covered with a relief engraving that repeats the Florentine motifs from the front (including an oversized fleur-de-lis). Unlike the hand-engraving on the case, the movement decoration is done by laser.
The Radiomir Firenze 3 Days Acciaio (PAM00672) is a limited edition of 99 pieces available only at the Florence Panerai boutique. The price is €25,000 (about US$28,300).
All the new launches, as well as over 100 of Panerai’s historical timepieces, are on show at Dive Into Time. Exhibition details:
Panerai – Dive Into Time
18 – 21 May 2016
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Museo Marino Marini
Piazza San Pancrazio
Florence
Italy
Update May 19, 2016: Dive Into Time information added.
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