Watches and Wonders 2021: Diving deep with new environmentally sustainable Panerai watches for 2021
Panerai have not strayed far from their traditional styling for 2021 but they have focused serious attention on new and innovative manufacturing materials which give their watches heightened appeal for the environmentally conscious buyer. Rest assured, there is still very much an aquatic theme to the new ranges whether your passion is the ultra-hi-tech world of the Americas Cup races or exploring the dark depths of the Ocean.
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa - Image Credit: Panerai
Panerai celebrates its partnership with the famous Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Americas Cup team with a new limited-edition model, representing the sporting spirit of the two brands and the opportunity to be a small part of one of the world’s most intense and exciting sailing competitions.
Limited to just 1000 pieces the Luna Rossa is an extension of the Luminor line dedicated to measuring precision performance, with the start, stop and reset pushers on the left preserving the place for iconic crown protecting bridge on the right.
The new watch features a deep blue dial with red and white detail and Luna Rossa branding. It is powered by a new self-winding P.9200 Calibre with a 42-hour power reserve delivered by a single barrel. It is available with a rubber bi-material bracelet with a tool to allow interchangeability of straps and a screwdriver for removing the buckle. All the materials are housed in a sailcloth Luna Rossa box.
Specifications
- Reference: PAM01303 – limited to 1000 units
- Case width: 44mm
- Thickness: 15.65mm
- Movement: Mechanical automatic P.9200 calibre
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Case: Brushed steel
- Water-resistance: 100m
- Dial: Deep blue with satiné soleil finishing, sandwich structure, with Arabic numerals and indexes in white Super-LumiNovaTM with green luminescence. Luna Rossa personalization. Seconds at 9 o’clock, chronograph minutes counter at 3 o’clock, central chronograph seconds hand, tachymeter scale on the flange.
- Strap: Bi-material in technical fabric and rubber, blue with Luna Rossa personalization, with trapezoidal pin buckle in brushed steel. Additional bi-material strap in technical fabric and rubber, white with Luna Rossa personalization.
- Price: 7,916 Euros
- Availability: May 2021
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa - Image Credit: Panerai
First Thoughts
With the 2021 Americas Cup only taking place last month this is a smart and timely release for Panerai. Although the Luna Rossa boat, which sported Panerai’s name on the sail, did not win this year it drew admiration for its striking colour scheme and design which is admirably reflected in the new watch. If you are a fan of the highest category of yacht racing, then this is the perfect watch for you and if you saw any of last month’s footage you could not help but notice similar models being blasted with water on the crew wrists. In short, great timing and arguably one of the best-looking watches in the Luminor range to date.
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante GMT Blu Notte
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante GMT Blu Notte - Image Credit: Panerai
Limited to 200 pieces the Luminor Chrono Monopulsante GMT Blu Notte is a powerful expression of design and the current innovation of the Panerai Laboratorio di Idee. With a Zirconium Oxide powder matte black ceramic case, the single chronograph pusher appears on the left side to create balance with the opposite crown-protecting device.
The P.2004 hand wound calibre is a homage to the first chronograph calibre created and developed entirely by Panerai Manufacture. The Monopulsante is a single-button column wheel chronograph, which combines the start/stop/reset functions in a single push-piece. It is also equipped with the GMT complication.
Specifications
- Reference: PAM01135 – limited to 200 units
- Case width: 44mm
- Thickness: 19.55mm
- Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, Calibre P.2004
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, GMT, 24h counter with am / pm indicator, linear power reserve indicator, monopusher chronograph, seconds reset.
- Power reserve: 8 days
- Case: Matte black ceramic with ceramic bezel. Twelve-sided screwed case back, in titanium with black DLC coating and sapphire glass window.
- Water-resistance: 100m
- Dial: Blu Notte with satiné soleil finishing, sandwich structure, with Arabic numerals and indexes in white Super-LumiNovaTM with green luminescence. Seconds and am / pm indication at 9 o’clock, chronograph minute counter at 3 o’clock, linear power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, central chronograph seconds hand.
- Strap: Calfskin, deep blue with ecru stitching, with trapezoidal pin buckle in titanium with black DLC coating. Additional rubber strap, deep blue.
- Price: TBA
- Availability: May 2021
The Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante GMT Blu Notte - Image Credit: Panerai
First Thoughts
The Monopulsante GMT is a striking watch which lends dramatic flair and subtlety to the new Panerai range. It is very understated, and this allows the stark white hands and sunken indices to really stand out. The matt black case will be unique enough to satisfy the most die-hard Spec Ops fan and it is nice to see Panerai paying homage to their inescapable military heritages. The GMT function makes this model a great travel companion which will look smart at business or completely at home exploring.
The Panerai Luminor Chrono
The Panerai Luminor Chrono - Image Credit: Panerai
Panerai has introduced three new chronograph models in the timeless Luminor case. A tachymeter scale on the prominent flange allows the calculation of average speed over a predefined distance, in kilometres or miles. To ensure a unified identity among the models, all feature the new Calibre P.9200 with chronograph function the only difference being dial colours and the choice of a steel bracelet or leather strap. The sandwich dial creates a 3D impression with the indices sunk below the main dial. This design characteristic offers excellent legibility.
Specifications
- Reference: PAM01109, PAM 01110 & PAM01218
- Case width: 44mm
- Thickness: 15.56mm
- Movement: Mechanical automatic, P.9200 calibre
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph Power reserve: 50 hours
- Case: Stainless steel brushed middle
- Water-resistance: 100m
- Dial: Black with matte finish (PAM 01218 with white dial, 01110 blue), sandwich structure, with Arabic numerals and indexes in white Super-LumiNova with green luminescence. Seconds at 9 o’clock, chronograph minutes counter at 3 o’clock, central chronograph seconds hand, tachymeter scale on the flange.
- Strap: Alligator leather, black with tone-on-tone stitching, with trapezoidal pin buckle in brushed steel. Additional rubber strap, black. PAM 01110 with steel bracelet
- Price: 7751 – 8427 Euros
- Availability: May 2021
The Panerai Luminor Chrono - Image Credit: Panerai
First Thoughts
The complex chronograph is a less common for Panerai who are best known for large waterproof watches with extremely simple and legible dials. The big strength for this new model is that the movement and function have been placed into a thoroughly recognisable and up to date Luminor case which gives Panerai fans something familiar yet different to enjoy. The white dial model especially is visually striking with just two tiny blue accents to lift a completely monotone design. It is a bold design which really works.
The Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel
The Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel - Image Credit: Panerai
eSteel is composed of recycled metallic material and is an advancement that represents a step in Panerai’s commitment to reduce the need for material extraction and its associated environmental impact. 58,4% of the total weight of the watch is made from this new and sustainable material, including both the case and dial. The development of the material brought challenges as the finished product had to demonstrate identical behaviour, physical structure and resistance to corrosion as non-recycled steel.
The Marina is powered by the in-house Calibre P.9010 with a three-day power reserve. It features a rapid adjustment system able to move the hour hand forward or backward in increments of one hour, independent of the minute hand. Water-resistant to 300m the Luminor Marina eSteel also features a recycled textile strap that coordinates with its dial colour.
During Watches and Wonders 2021 Panerai also released another sustainable diver watch under the title e-LAB-ID. This is only a concept model for now but 98.6% of this watch is made from recycled material including the sapphire crystal. Whilst the e-LAB-ID cannot be commercially replicated yet it shows the huge commitment the company are making in the areas of environmental protection and circular manufacture.
The Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel - Image Credit: Panerai
Specifications
- Reference: PAM01157
- Case width:44mm
- Thickness: 15.45mm
- Movement: Automatic mechanical, P.9010 calibre
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Power reserve: 3 days
- Case: Brushed “eSteel”
- Water-resistance: 300m
- Dial: Polished Blu Profondo gradient eSteel with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock
- Strap: Recycled textile Blu Profondo strap. Additional Blu Profondo rubber strap. Storage box also made of recycled material.
- Price: IRO 7300.00 Euros
- Availability: May 2021
The Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel - Image Credit: Panerai
First Thoughts
This is not the first environmentally friendly watch we have seen in recent months. Luminox recently released a range of watches in partnership with Bear Grylls made from ocean waste. But the Luminor Marina is a high-end watch, and the concept of recycling steel is a major step forward in the circular manufacturing process we have come to appreciate and expect in other industries such as modern cars. Panerai cannot be faulted for their promotion of this cause and it will be interesting to see which other major brands take heed and quickly embark on a similar journey. The e-LAB-ID concept shows in a Utopian world what can be achieved and sets a very high bar.
The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso
The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso - Image Credit: Panerai
After making its official debut in 2011, bronze has become an essential element in the Panerai collection but for the first time it is now front and centre in a 42mm Panerai watch. This model will only be sold in Panerai boutiques and has been pre-limited to 1000 units a year.
At 42mm this is one of the smaller Panerai models which will widen the appeal of the watch and the bronze case truly makes it ideal for both male and female wearers. With watch sizes reducing this is a sure indicator that Panerai wants to embrace a wider audience in this portfolio.
The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso - Image Credit: Panerai
Specifications
- Reference: PAM01074 – limited to 1000 units annually
- Case width: 42mm
- Thickness: 14.37mm
- Movement: Mechanical automatic, P.900 calibre
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date. Unidirectional rotating bezel for the calculation of the immersion time.
- Power reserve: 3 days
- Case: Bronze. Titanium case back
- Water-resistance: 300m
- Dial: Blue with matte finish, with luminescent indexes and applied dots in beige Super-LumiNova with green luminescence. Seconds at 9 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock.
- Strap: Vintage Blue suede with ecru stitching, with bronze trapezoidal pin buckle. Additional rubber strap in blue
- Price: 13,400 Euros
- Availability: May 2021
The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso - Image Credit: Panerai
First Thoughts
If you are after a bronze diver as opposed to the more common stainless steel, then this may be the watch for you. The metal will take on the unique patina we all talk about with bronze watches but considering this is not a difficult material to come by the Panerai seems like an expensive watch and you could buy the highest calibre of steel diver for less. Worthy of note also is that neither the bezel nor the dial has minute markers so one is left with the distinct impression that this particular diving watch is not aimed at divers at all but is a fashion “tool” watch. Whatever its intentions it is a fine looking time piece which will definitely be noticed. Possibly not the best choice if you are a professional diver though.
To find out more about the Panerai releases be sure to head over to their site here.
