SIHH 2010: Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days Automatic (PAM359)

Presented during the current SIHH 2010 international trade show, this new Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina (PAM359) is (at least from the point of view of hardware that powers the watch) identical to the recently unveiled Panerai PAM351 watch in titanium. Also coming in a body of the same dimensions, this watch, however, has a different dial layout and is crafted from polished stainless steel.

As you may have already noted looking at the stream of recent news regarding the Italian watch maker, Panerai currently undergoes a painful process of transformation from an over-advertised brand into a full-fledged Manufacture that makes its own mechanisms.

Sticking to the plan, Panerai keeps replacing standard ETA-outsourced movements with its own home-made calibers that, at least partly, finally justify the sky-high price of their rugged, military-inspired wrist watches.

According to the Italian watchmaker, the new Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days PAM359 model comes powered by the same P.9000 automatic movement that, sporting two mainspring barrels, offers a nice power reserve of at least 72 hours and is enclosed in the same 44 mm cushion-shaped case made of stainless steel.

However, besides the usual oversized “6″, “9″ and “12″ numerals, its black dial features an additional set of eight smaller Arabic numerals. Making the black dial look busier, the smaller numerals do not add too much to the overall usability of the timekeeper.

The timekeeper’s automatic caliber is protected from the elements with a thick 2.6 mm sapphire glass, which is treated with an antireflective coating and also partly provides for an impressive water resistance rating of 300 meters making the watch, which is theoretically suitable even for professional diving. (Of course, if you don’t miss the usual diving bezel and don’t mind destroying the expensive Panerai-branded leather strap with an oversized buckle that secures the timepiece to your wrist.)

Photos: Officine Panerai

Panerai Luminor 1950 Marina 3 Days 44mm PAM359 watch specification

Price range: $7,400
Movement: Panerai P.9000 Calibre, automatic, 197 parts, 31 mm in diameter, 7.9 mm thick, 28 jewels, two mainspring barrels, 28,800 vph, in-house
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 72 hours (3 days)
Case material: Polished stainless steel
Bezel material: Polished stainless steel
Case shape: Cushion
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal caseback
Case size: 44.0 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Hands: Steel
Strap: Leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, corundum, 2.6 mm thick, antireflective coating
Water resistance: 300 meters