Panerai PAM1661 Carbotech Luminor Marina

Every since the first Carbotech Submersible (PAM616) released in 2015, there has always been a real thirst for 44mm watches using the material. Panerai did release the PAM661 Which was a nice looking piece but it was a bit of a hybrid between the Luminor and Submersible style with the dial that had dots instead of numerals. Flash forward to today. The first sneak peak of what is to come at Watches and Wonders Geneva in 2020 is the #PAM1661 44mm Carbotech Luminor Marina.

With every subtle hint from CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué about 2020 being the year of the Luminor, since it’s essentially 70 years since it was first introduced, we have been wondering what could be coming down the pipeline.

With the PAM1661 we have a slight glimpse into the direction we might be seeing this year. The use of more popular materials like carbotech in 44mm Luminor Marina pieces. If this is the direction they are going then it will be a welcome surprise since for the longest time only the Submersible line buyers were having all the fun with BMG and Carbotech.

So without any more hesitation let’s dig into the Panerai PAM1661 Carbotech Luminor Marina.

At first glance this is essentially a variation of one of the best selling models that is part of the Panerai collection, the PAM1312 or PAM312 which is the older version of the piece. As previously mentioned the case is the 44mm 1950’s case made out of Carbotech and features a blue sandwich dial.

This is the first time that Panerai has actually used a high performance composite material like the Carbotech and paired it with the iconic sandwich dial. Playing off of the distinctive LAB-ID look, this model features the same blue lume and black dial combination.

The PAM1661 features the hour and minute function, a date window at the 3 o’clock position and a sweeping sub second dial to the right of the 9. The hands are black which give it a more stealth look but stay extremely easy to read becuase of the bright blue lume.

Since it is the new thinner version of the 1950’s case, it also uses the updated P.9010 3 Day automatic movement which was developed completely in house.

The entire bundled beauty of this watch weighs in at only 96 grams in total thanks to the technologically advanced case material. Water Resistant up to 300 meters makes it more than suitable for a dive or two if you are so inclined.

Finishing off this piece is a new style Sportech strap which is made of a water resistant rubber like material with blue accent stitching to match the lume on the watch. You also receive a second rubber strap with the equipment and tools needed to change the strap.

Personally, I think this piece is a winner and will sell out quickly regardless of price point. The PAM1661 really stands out and gives off a completely different look than we are used to when it comes to material and dial combinations. We have been fed a lot of pieces in the past couple years which are just dial and hand combination differences but no change to the actual materials used in the Luminor line. With this step outside the norm for the pieces they will definitely play into the hands of every panerai lover out there.

I don’t find much not to like on this piece, but if I was going to be picky then I would have to say I wish they got rid of the “Automatic” text on the dial. It just would be so much cleaner. I have been saying it since they put it on and hope they eventually listen to the public and take it away. I think that would have made it 100% perfect.

The PAM1661 is priced at $12,800 USD.

 

PANERAI PAM1661

MOVEMENT: Automatic mechanical, P.9010 Calibre, 13. lignes, 6 mm thick, 200 components, 31 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, GlucydurTM balance, IncablocTM anti-shock device, two spring barrels. Executed entirely by Panerai.

FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date.

POWER RESERVE: 3 days.

CASE: In Carbotech™, diameter 44 mm, thickness 14,50 mm. Bezel and Safety Lock crown-protecting device (protected by trademark) in Carbotech™. Sapphire crystal obtained from corundum. 12-sided screw back in titanium with black DLC coating.

DIAL: Black, sandwich structure, with Arabic numerals and hour markers in blue Super-LumiNovaTM with green luminescence. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock.

STRAP: Made of Panerai SportechTM, black with blue sewing, with trapezoid buckle and clasp of titanium with black DLC coating. Additional strap in rubber, black.

WATER RESISTANCE: 30 bar (~300 metres).