Panerai PAM531 Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT 24H

So you are a jet setter traveling the world looking for the latest and greatest things, or on a business trip closing on the latest project you completed. In either scenario you also want to figure out quickly what time it is back home for whatever the reason may be. More often then not, you will probably be in the market for a time piece that will have a GMT and second time zone function.

Enter the latest Panerai for 2014, the PAM531 1950’s Luminor GMT with 24H function. The PAM531 is the first watch in Panerai’s lineup to adopt the newest manufacture movement, the automatic P.9003 calibre. The base movement was built around the P.9001 but brought in the GMT function which is indicated over 24 hours instead of 12 hours. The movement also features a new circular power reserve indicator that has been placed on the back and is visible through the display back case.

The P.9003 movement features a 3 day power reserve which is achieved by two spring barrels connected in a series. The oscillating mass rotates in both directions, making the winding mechanism very efficient. The hour hand which is connected to the date, can be moved independently and in jumps of one hour. Using this method the hour hand can be changed without interfering with the minute and seconds hand.

The GMT on the PAM531 uses a single hand with an arrow at the end which rotates around the dial 1 time every 24 hours. There are small arabic numeral markers for each hour around the dial of the 24 hour function. For the main time zone you have the classic 12 and 6 markers in large arabic numerals. The dial is comprised of two layers making this a sandwich dial with the luminous substance having a vintage ecru color which contrasts nicely with the black dial.

All in all a nice combination of form and function give the PAM531 a well rounded look.

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9003 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13. lignes, 7.9 mm thick, 28 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 233 components.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, second time zone with 24h indication, seconds reset, power reserve indicator on the back.

Case: Diameter 44 mm, AISI 316L polished steel.

Bezel: Polished steel.

Back: See-through sapphire crystal.

Device protecting the crown: (protected as trademark) Brushed steel.

Dial: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. 24h indication on the edge. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock.

Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 2.6 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.

Water-resistance: 30 bar (~ 300 metres).

Strap: PANERAI personalised leather strap and trapezoidal brushed steel buckle. Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool for changing the strap and a steel screwdriver.