A little bit over a month ago, Officine Panerai released four new watches all fitted with sunburst blue dials and available only through the Panerai Boutique network. The new models sporting this gorgeous blue dials are the Radiomir 1940 PAM 690, the Radiomir GMT 10 Days PAM 659, the Luminor 1950 GMT 3 Days PAM 688 and lastly the Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 we are reviewing here. The new Panerai PAM 689 is pretty much a blue dial version of the PAM 533.
The Dial
Just like on its predecessor the PAM 533, the new Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 blue dial features the GMT complication along with a 10-day linear power reserve indicator. This sunburst blue dial is simply gorgeous and a true chameleon depending on lighting conditions. The dial features the traditional sandwich dial construction with a seconds subdial with superimposed am/pm apertures at 9 o'clock, 10-day linear power reserve indicator at 6 and a date aperture at 3 o'clock. Just as with other GMT Panerais, the date can be advanced or reversed as necessary when traveling across the day changing line. Additionally, to make things even better, the PAM 689 features gold plated hands that give this particular watch an awesome 'vintage aura'.
The Case
The new Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 features the exact same case as the PAM 533. The AISI 316L stainless steel case measures 44 mm and is fully polished throughout and it features the iconic crown protecting device. The watch is water resistant to a 100 meters and sports a nice sapphire crystal without any anti-reflective treatment.
The Movement
The beating heart inside the new Officine Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Automatic PAM 689 Blue Dial is the Panerai in-house automatic calibre P.2003 fully developed and executed at the manufacture in Neuchâtel. This automatic movement, composed of 296 parts features 25 jewels and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of at least 10 days. The movement also features a seconds-reset mechanism that when pulling the crown out, will reset the seconds indicator at 9 o'clock for exact time setting. The movement is fully visible via the display case back.
The Strap
The Panerai PAM 689 is equipped with a gorgeous dark blue alligator leather strap with beige contrast stitching and fitted with the standard pin buckle found on the Luminor Marina 1950 models. The buckle features a satin-brushed finish. Personally, we think that fully polished watches like this one, should have a fully polished buckle.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears true to its size and perhaps a little bit bigger and more like a 45 mm watch when worn on a 7.25-7.5" wrist. The wrist presence is simply out of this world thanks to its stunning and striking sunburst blue dial. This watch —like all the other models sporting blue dials— is only available at Panerai boutiques and in a limited series of only 300 pieces. The best part, is that the watch is priced at the same price as the PAM 533. Not bad for an even better looking watch that is definitely more special.
Sticker Price $13,400 USD. For more info on Officine Panerai click here.
