Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314 - Review & Buying Guide
Today, let’s explore a watch brand many consider the epitome of "art in motion”. Introducing 'Panerai', a brand that began its journey in 1860 when Giovani Panerai opened his first watch shop in Florence, Italy. Since then, this name has silently witnessed the passage of time while also etching its indelible mark on the realm of watchmaking.
Like so many other brands, Panerai produced watches that were a testament to the synergy between technical ingenuity and Italian artistry. Among the lot, one of the most iconic watches was the 'Luminor', with the Luminor Marina being its most popular variation.
The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314 is a 2020 novelty. It represents the purest example of the historical Luminor model and is one of Panerai's best, with a three-day power reserve. It is also the first Panerai with a 'white sandwich' dial. The PAM01314 Panerai's distinctive colour scheme immediately resonated with collectors and enthusiasts alike.
But before we discuss the Panerai Luminor Marina Ref. PAM01314, let's revisit the brand's origins and the main events that led to the creation of this remarkable watch.
History of Panerai
The history of Panerai is a tale of innovation, excellence of craftsmanship and resilience. However, the beginning of this brand was established with a clear purpose – to craft accurate instruments to serve the needs of the Italian Navy. With this clear intention, Panerai laid a solid foundation for a brand that eventually became one of the most profound names in horology.
In 1860, founder Giovanni Panerai opened his watchmaking shop in Florence. It was also a repair workshop and a sales showroom. Soon, it became the authorised dealer of some of the most iconic Swiss watch brands, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.
In the late 19th century, Giovanni and his son Leon Francesco pushed the firm to achieve new milestones and worked with watch industry leaders to establish supplier ties that led to an increase in their Italian firm's sales and, eventually, watch production.
At the onset of the 20th century, Giovanni's grandson Guido took the company to new heights, which was then known as Guido Panerai & Figlio. Under his supervision, the company became the official supplier of high-precision instruments to the Royal Italian Navy. Initially, the military contracts focused on the timing and contact triggers for submersible navigation tools, mines, and mechanised computing devices.
By the beginning of World War I, the company Guido Panerai & Figlio started making sophisticated precision instruments for the Italian Navy. The invention of Radiomir, a radio-based power that provided luminosity to the dials of sighting devices and instruments, was a major breakthrough for the brand.
By the mid-1930s, the discussion between the Italian Navy and the firm reached a critical mass. In 1935, the Royal Navy authorities approached Panerai and other brands with the request to design a watch for the frogman commandos of the First Submarine Group Command. They requested a watch that should be water-resistant to extreme conditions and offer precise timekeeping underwater.
In 1936, Panerai submitted the prototype called 'Radiomir' (the name coming from the luminescent substance), which successfully passed all tests. At the time, the effects of radiation exposure were little known or understood, and radium was also used in food, cosmetics, and toothpaste.
Finally, in 1949, Panerai released a self-luminous substance called Luminor, which was safer and also more luminous than Radiomir. On January 11, 1949, this new tritium-based compound was patented under the name Luminor. The first Panerai Luminor watch was released in 1950, featuring significant improvements over the Radiomir model.
In 1972, the name ‘Guido Panerai & Figlio’ was changed to ‘Officine Panerai’.
Moving forward to the 1990s, the year 1993 was key to Panerai, and the brand introduced three series of limited-edition watches to the public, including the "Luminor Marina."
Modern Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314
In 2020, Panerai celebrated 70 years of the iconic Luminor by releasing two new Luminor Marina designs: one with a blue sunray dial on a blue alligator strap (PAM01313) and the other—which is actually better—a white 'Sandwich' dial with grey lume markers that glow green at night (PAM01314). The white 'Sandwich' dial in PAM01314 is a first for the brand. Both watches carry the in-house P.9010 movement.
The PAM01314 is more focused, modernly designed, simpler, more functional, and, most importantly, devoid of any vintage elements. What you see is a new style for the Luminor Marina.
Classic in its execution with a steel case and crisp white dial, the PAM01314 almost marked the return of the Luminor Marina collection with a new direction. Thankfully, it has no vintage accents but an essential design focused on functions and modern style.
Features of the Panerai Luminor Marina:
- Large cushion-shaped case, available in 44mm
- Massive crown guards for crown protection against shocks
- Seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock
- Luminescent hands & hour markers
Our Initial Review
It seems Panerai intended to bring a more accessible model with an essential design, functionality, and straightforward colours like black, white, or blue. And the PAM01314 achieved this quite beautifully. It also includes the iconic Sandwich dial design and the high-performance Super-LumiNova.
When the Luminor was introduced in the early 1950s, its name highlighted the use of a new luminous material developed to replace the Radiomir. The integration of the Super-LumiNova in this model means Panerai is going back to rebrand the Luminor Marina watches with a contemporary look.
If you want to add a sports model to your collection and are tired of looking at your black dials, this 44mm watch is ideal. Although oversized at 44mm, the case appears normal given Panerai's 'big' watch history. The polished bezel and the brushed case side make the case look even more exciting. This gives you a bit of a dressier look, and the brushed side will hide any scratches better than if it was fully polished.
The dial is our favourite. It's the brand's first sandwich dial in white, which has small seconds at 9 o'clock and a date display at 3 o'clock. The watch has a crisp white dial that is quite different to look at, more like a snowflake. The choice of white for the dial is pleasing as opposed to the otherwise dark look of Panerai watches, and it appears lighter, less instrumental, and fresher.
All white dials of the previous Panerai watches had placed lumes on top of them because Panerai did not have a Super-LumiNova that was dark enough to reflect beneath the dial. They invented this new Super-LumiNova with a complete luminescence dial underneath the crisp white dial and used a laser to cut out the numbers and dashes, revealing the grey luminescence below. This is a quintessential Panerai design with nice, enlarged Italian detailing.
The dial is decorated with beautiful steel hands with grey luminescence and a steel seconds hand at 9 o'clock with grey luminescence as well. However, the date does not seem to be integrated sufficiently within the rest of the dial.
Most Panerai watches have impressive water resistance, and the Luminor Marina is no exception. It is water-resistant to up to 300 metres, easily qualifying it as an aquatic watch. However, due to the absence of a rotating bezel, it cannot be called a diver's watch.
The P.9010 automatic movement is one of our favourite Panerai movements. It is completely built in-house and is only 6mm thick.
Panerai has paired this beautiful piece with a grey leather strap that complements the luminescence. The white stitching perfectly matches the white dial. The fun part is that this watch comes with a spare black rubber strap, which you can easily switch to total sport mode and go diving.
The overall execution of the Panerai PAM01314 is neat and solid.
REVIEW: Panerai Luminor Marina Ref. PAM01314
Basics:
- Model: PAM01314
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Case Size: 44mm
- Bezel: Stainless Steel
- Dial: White 'Sandwich'
- Bracelet: Dark Green Calf Strap with Ecru stitching
- Movement: P.9010, Automatic
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Water Resistance: 300 metres
Case & Bezel
The Luminor Marina PAM01314's case is everything you'd expect from a Panerai. It has a large 44mm diameter and is 15.65 mm high. Unfortunately, the watch cannot slide under a cuff. The cushion-shaped case is emblematic of Panerai, and this new model has sharper angles.
The stainless steel flat bezel is polished, and the centre case is brushed. The signature Safety Lock device protecting the crown is on the right side of the case. The crown guard is Panerai's signature and is a safety feature designed to protect the crown from accidental impacts.
This crown, along with the screwed case back, guarantees a water resistance of 300 metres.
Dial
The most noticeable aspect of the Luminor Marina PAM01314 is the dial. At a glance, it looks familiar, but in reality, it isn't. The PAM01314 showcases the brand's first White 'Sandwich' dial.
Panerai has done several white dials with luminous dots, but this is the first time it has designed a two-layer construction, adding another dimension to the watch design. This model features a crisp, white upper plate with a textured finish and a lower plate coated in grey Super-LumiNova, ensuring better contrast during the day and great luminosity at night.
The display retains its classic charm, featuring cutouts on the dial that elegantly showcase the Arabic numerals and hour markers. It has central hours and minutes hands and polished baton hands. The small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock is a standout, and the small date window at 3 o'clock makes the watch best suited for daily use.
Bracelet
The watch is worn on a dark green calf leather strap, assuring comfort and casual style. It is further adorned with ecru stitching and secured with a brushed pin buckle. An additional black rubber strap is provided for those who wish to interchange the design as and when required.
Movement
The brand's classic P.9010 automatic movement, manufactured in-house, runs inside the watch. One of the most notable features of this calibre is the quick-set hour hand, which allows you to adjust it in one-hour increments, either forward or backward, while simultaneously updating the date. This function is particularly convenient for travellers. The twin-barrel architecture of the movement ensures this Panerai has a power reserve of up to 70 hours when fully wound.
Price & Availability
Priced at £7600, the Panerai Luminor Marina Ref. PAM01314 ‘White Sandwich' is available at retail. However, many people have trouble finding one because of its exorbitant popularity, and it's not surprising. Panerai watches are usually expensive and hard to find. Thus, checking out the pre-owned market is advisable.
Buying a pre-owned Luminor Marina is an investment opportunity, as the watch's value is known to increase over time. It's a piece that will yield good returns in the future with its beauty and durability. You can buy, use, and later sell it for a hefty sum. If not, you can always cherish this impeccable Panerai timepiece's style, class, and quality.
| Model | Retail Price | Pre-Owned Market Price |
|---|---|---|
| Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314 | £7600 | £3,687 to £7,500 |
Why buy the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314?
Panerai watches are stylish, functional, and premium, and the Panerai Luminor Marina is no exception. It's a watch with intricate details, elegance, and simplicity.
Visibility was always the driving preoccupation for Luminor's design, and the Luminor Marina PAM01314 ensured that with a big dial featuring no unnecessary markings. It used a sandwich dial construction with a bright green lume to glow at night. The Luminor Marina also has a sub-dial at 9 o'clock, allowing you to track the passing seconds easily.
The unmistakable design of a Panerai ensures it stands out at first glance. The bold, cushion-shaped case and highly readable sandwich dials demand attention. The Luminor Marina PAM01314 perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the brand and is a stylish and reliable choice for those seeking a luxury sports watch with a distinctive flair.
Whether you're dressing up for an evening out, planning an adventure, or diving in the deep, the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01314 is a versatile timepiece.
The watch is water-resistant up to 300 metres, ensuring you can wear it while hiking through a rainforest, on the boat, or while doing any of your favourite activities.
It's hard to think of a more visually blissful and functional dial than the Luminor Marina!
Conclusion
Panerai stands tall as an epitome of innovation and timeless craftsmanship in the present horological world. The brand's dedication to preserving its heritage while embracing the needs and demands of the modern era is a testament to its enduring appeal.
The Luminor Marina PAM01314 rightfully shows Panerai unveiling its engineering excellence. It is not just striking to look at but also highly functional, making it perfect for all environments and occasions. Its iconic design pays tribute to Panerai's rich heritage, while its advanced features, like the improved water resistance and quick-set date, ensure it is ready for any adventure.
If you're considering this model, it promises not just a watch but a lasting statement of craftsmanship and sophistication.