It was on a cold January day in 1949 that Panerai for the Royal Italian Navy drew inspiration from the name of a new self-luminous substance, called Luminor (which literally translates to brighten or illuminate. The compound was protected under the Luminor trademark and thereby became synonymous Panerai’s famed series of illuminated timepieces, which had displaced the erstwhile Radiomir watch. The Florence-based company exercised its design brilliance and produced a timepiece that would rule a league of its own for decades.
70 years later, the company commemorates the becoming of Luminor with a series of three watches that come with a 70-year warranty (which is sincerely engraved on the timepieces). Namely, the PAMO1117, the PAMO1118, and the PAMO1119. Each of these is made with different materials and bring a fresh new perspective to the legendary design. The series is called the Panerai Luminor Marina collection and blends in the legacy with impressive new-age tech.
The PAM1117 in Titanium is the lightest at 100g, but more importantly, its case that is manufactured using the DMLS 3D printing technology that involves the sedimentation of Titanium powder. The deep blue sunray dial and strap make for its distinctive features. The PAM1118 is for the ones who indulge in the world of carbon fiber. The Carbotech style makes it stand out in the series with its black sunray dial that makes for a perfect backdrop for the luminous highlights. The PAM1119 is the last of the series with a Fibratech build that uses mineral fibers from basal tock and additives that are superimposed in layers. These can be tangibly validated as the surface offers a unique uneven feel. The dial is made with anthracite while the sunray pattern neatly brings out Luminor.
Each of these watches is limited to 270 pieces and as you would expect, use the company’s P.9010 calibre with a 72-hour power reserve.