Introducing: Panerai’s Luminor Marina PAM01707 Is All Classic Everything, Except For The High-Tech Composite Case

What We Know

As one of the more recognisable watch designs, period, the current Panerai Luminor shape has been rendered in many different materials since the 1955 introduction of the crown protection device. This latest take, the Luminor Marina PAM01707, is cased in Carbotech, a composite material combining carbon fibre sheets and polyether ether ketone, resulting in excellent anti-corrosion properties and lightness. Though Panerai’s products now comfortably sit in the luxury watchmaking category, it hasn't stopped them from using avant-garde materials suited to the original intent of their designs.

Measuring 44mm across and 14.5mm thick, the PAM01707 has all the hallmarks of a classic Panerai, with its cushion-shaped mid-case sandwiched by a round, striated Carbotech bezel and a DLC-treated titanium caseback. The signature bridge, which spans the right-hand side of the case and protects and locks the crown, is also rendered in carbon, matching the uneven, textured finish of the rest of the case.

This sanga-based analogy can be expanded on for the dial, another Panerai hallmark. The textured, matte top plate features cut-outs for the stick indices and Arabic numerals at the cardinal points, as well as the small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock, allowing the fauxtinated Super-LumiNova bottom layer to shine through.

Here pictured on brown calf leather, Panerai also includes an “Officine Panerai”-branded black rubber strap so you can actually take the watch swimming, though you will have to change the DLC titanium buckle over from one strap to the other. Thankfully, Panerai provides a screwdriver in the box to help you do just that. Though quite wide at 24mm, the even lug width means you could opt for aftermarket straps, too.

Behind the dodecagonal, non-display caseback, you’ll find the P.9010 calibre. This ValFleurier-made movement has undergone numerous functional changes over the past few years, but now once again features all the creature comforts you’d expect from a luxury watch. The double barrels deliver a three-day power reserve; it hacks and hand-winds, and you can also quick-set the hour hand the way you would on a GMT, meaning you don’t have to stop the movement when switching time zones. To enhance shock resistance, the balance is equipped with a traversing bridge secured on both sides. Interestingly, Panerai notes that you can fully wind the watch in just 42 crown rotations, which is not something I’m used to seeing on a spec sheet.

The Luminor Marina PAM01707 retails for $15,600, and is available now. 

What We Think

Panerai’s recent efforts have largely focused on recapturing the tooltastic offering and design that initially captured their fervent fanbase - transparency around specifications, revised pricing, and a whittling down of the bloated catalogue are all positives. While Carbotech isn’t necessarily a staple of the brand’s history, it has been around for more than a decade now, and advanced materials have been on the brand’s radar for some time. With such classically-proportioned features, it’s hard to complain about the case, which, in my experience with Carbotech, wears even better than its metal counterparts.

There’s also something to be said about the tactical, stealthy look of the material. If the goal is to pay tribute to watches worn by commandos, then such a material makes sense given its matte, non-reflective nature. And come on, I’m sure it’s not just me. Carbon composites are just downright cool.

On the dial side, the situation is very much the same. No-date is the way to go on a classic Panerai, and the PAM01707 even improves on its otherwise identical destro sibling (the PAM01708 LE for Revolution), which featured an extra “OP” logo squeezed in between the 6 and “Panerai”. However, I do have a nit to pick, and it has to do with the choice of colours. I can look past the fauxtina, but I would much prefer it if the colour of the lume and dial printing matched. With one in stark white and the other in beige, there’s a dissonance that the brand resolves better in watches like the Otto Giorni PAM00914.

The Basics

Brand: Panerai
Model: Luminor Marina
Reference: PAM01707
Diameter: 44mm
Thickness: 14.5mm
Weight: ~100g
Case Material: Carbotech, DLC titanium caseback
Dial Colour: Black sandwich dial
Crystal: Sapphire front
Lume: Yes, beige Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 300 metres
Strap: Brown calf leather with DLC titanium pin buckle, additional black rubber strap
Lug Width: 24mm

The Movement

Calibre: P.9010
Functions: Quick-set hours, minutes, small seconds
Power Reserve: 3 days
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz
Diameter: 31 mm (13 ¾ lignes)
Thickness: 6mm
Jewels: 31
Chronometer Certified: No

Pricing & Availability

Price: $15,600
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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