Panerai unveils the Luminor Marina PAM01759, a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.
Emphasising a return to its historical design language, the Luminor Marina PAM01759 pairs a prominently domed sapphire crystal with a sandwich dial that uses Arabic numerals at every hour.
The case follows the familiar Luminor blueprint, combining a wide bezel, solid, squared‑off lugs and mainly brushed finishing with water resistance of approximately 300 metres.
My collection currently stretches from the expected stalwarts – Rolex, Omega and Tudor – to the more divisive tastes of Hublot and Panerai, a mix that often has fellow collectors telling me my box is a bit of an oddball. The first group feels almost obligatory once you reach a certain point in the hobby; some references earn their place on sheer merit and history. The second group is where personality sneaks in, and that’s where Panerai lives for me. I recently waved goodbye to my Luminor in favour of a Radiomir, and it has barely left my 6.6-inch wrist since. On paper, a 45mm cushion case should be a non‑starter at that size. In practice, Panerai’s blend of broad dials, wire lugs and those unapologetically bold numerals somehow makes these supposed dinner plates far more wearable than the dimensions suggest.
My current state of the collection sitting inside a Bosphorus Watch Trunk.
That unlikely wearability is linked to what Panerai set out to do in the first place. Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop, and later a school of watchmaking, Panerai spent much of the 20th century supplying the Italian Navy with instruments rather than courting civilians. Depth gauges, compasses and oversized wristwatches were produced not as luxury items but as tools to be used (and abused) by specialist divers. Designs such as the Radiomir and later the Luminor, with their cushion cases, sandwich dials and stark numerals, were covered by the Military Secrets Act and were not widely seen outside military circles. Only after the brand’s modern relaunch and eventual move into Richemont’s stable in the late 1990s did these once‑classified forms migrate to civilian wrists, helping to ignite the broader taste for large, purpose‑built sports watches.
The Panerai Radiomir Otto Giorni on my 6.6-inch wrist.
Panerai has returned to that well of naval history repeatedly, and the new Luminor Marina PAM01759 is framed as another deliberate trip back to the archive. Limited to 1,000 pieces and sold through Panerai boutiques, it is pitched as a tribute to the brand’s earliest Florence‑made instruments and its long connection to the sea. The familiar Luminor Marina outline is very much present: a 44mm cushion‑shaped stainless steel case, the signature crown protecting bridge and a three-hand layout with small seconds at 9 o’clock.
Rather than resorting to the flat sapphire that many modern Luminors use, the PAM01759 features a noticeably domed sapphire, a modern stand‑in for the high‑domed plexiglass seen on historic divers. It’s a small change that has a big effect: viewed from an angle, the dial edges curve and distort slightly, enhancing the impression of depth and giving the watch more of that “instrument” feel. The case itself sticks to the classic formula – broad bezel, blocky lugs and brushed surfaces – and is rated to around 300 metres of water resistance, with Panerai testing the watch to 25% beyond that figure. A closed steel caseback reinforces the tool‑watch message and carries “Limited Edition” plus the individual number.
The dial is where the archival intent becomes obvious. Panerai has opted for a full Arabic numeral layout, with numerals at every hour rather than the more common mix of markers and numerals. Executed on a matte black, sandwich‑style dial, it features a small‑seconds register at 9 o’clock. All of the numerals, markers and hands are filled with green Super‑LumiNova, chosen to echo the high‑visibility lume that once made Panerai instruments readable in murky water without resorting to faux‑patina tones.
Panerai has paired the watch with a dark brown “vintage” calf leather strap with prominent contrast stitching. The brown leather warms up the otherwise monochrome package and should take on character over time. Recognising that some owners will actually get this watch wet, Panerai also includes a black rubber strap in the box, allowing an easy switch between desk‑diver mode and more practical water use. The presentation box itself is a wooden affair reserved for limited editions.
Inside, the watch is driven by the in‑house automatic P.9010 calibre. It’s a known quantity across the Panerai catalogue, offering a three‑day power reserve from twin barrels, a 4 Hz beat rate and a robust construction with Incabloc shock protection and a Glucydur balance. One very practical feature does stand out, though – the independently adjustable local hour hand. It allows you to jump the hour hand in one‑hour increments without stopping the movement or disturbing the minute hand, making travel or daylight‑saving changes quick and fuss‑free.
Closing thoughts
The Luminor Marina PAM01759 reads less like a radical new direction and more like a considered tightening of what already works for Panerai. It takes the brand’s best‑selling platform and turns up the archival references: the domed crystal, the all‑Arabic dial, the omission of the date, the green lume that nods to mid‑century combat divers. It does this without chasing trends in materials, which should appeal to both long‑time Paneristi and newer collectors who might be discovering the brand through its more experimental releases.
Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01759 pricing and availability
The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01759 is limited to 1000 pieces total and is available directly from Panerai boutiques worldwide. Price: A$14,800
Brand
Panerai
Model
Luminor Marina
Reference Number
PAM01759
Case Dimensions
44mm (D)
Case Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
300 metres, Panerai crown protection device
Crystal(s)
Sapphire front
Dial
Matte black sandwich dial with Arabic numerals
Lug Width
24mm
Strap
Dark brown calf leather strap
Movement
Calibre P.9010, in-house, automatic
Power Reserve
72 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds
Availability
Limited edition of 1,000 pieces
Price
A$14,800