After several attempts trying to create the perfect bracelet for their watches, our friends from Panerai have decided to go back —one more time— to the drawing board and release a third redesign of the stainless steel bracelet for the Luminor Marina collection. With the release of two new watches fitted with the new bracelet, Panerai is trying to continue to expand their customer base among those that are not very fond of watches on a strap. Interestingly enough, while for the majority a Panerai watch is synonym of 'the most bad ass watch on a strap' for many others not having a perfectly integrated bracelet represents a huge barrier of entry.
This time, the new stainless steel bracelet is now perfectly integrated with the case as it continues to have its links inspired by the iconic device protecting the crown on the Luminor cases. The new Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic “Acciaio” PAM 722 and PAM 723 come fitted with these new integrated bracelet that without any screws, the shape of each individual link recalls the iconic crown protecting device and each one integrates perfectly with the rest, forming a perfectly ergonomic bracelet which is flexible and pleasant on the wrist. Sporty and sophisticated, the bracelet features alternating polished and satin brushed areas.
Strong and robust but much lighter than those previously developed by Panerai, the new bracelet is made of AISI 316L stainless steel, which is the same type of stainless steel utilized for the Luminor 1950 cases. With its brushed finish and contrasting polished bezel, this case is also light and slim thanks to fact that the automatic P.9010 calibre is only 6 mm thick. This movement is clearly visible through the wide sapphire crystal porthole set in the back. The calibre, made entirely in the Panerai in Neuchâtel, has a power reserve of three days and it is wound by a bidirectional oscillating weight. It is fitted with the device for stopping the balance wheel when synchronizing the watch and the system for rapidly adjusting the hour hand, which can be moved forwards or backwards without interfering with the running of the seconds hand. Very useful when setting the time or changing time zones, this function also enables the date on the dial at 3 o’clock to be adjusted very quickly.
The dial of the new Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic 'Acciaio' is black, in pure Panerai style with large luminous beige markers and the seconds counter with a small blue hand at 9 o’clock. The sandwich structure of the dial ensures optimum visibility at night and underwater, a feature which is part of the DNA of every Panerai watch. While the PAM 722 is fitted with a 42 mm case and a dial layout that lacks of the numeral '9', the PAM 723 is slightly larger at 44 mm and with a dial layout that includes the numeral '9'. As far as the water resistance, the PAM 722 is water resistant to 100 meters and the PAm 723 to 300 meters.
The bracelet of the new Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio can easily be replaced with another strap thanks to the system patented by Panerai which uses a little push button under each lug, operated by using the special tool supplied. This new stainless steel bracelet will also be sold individually and it is fully compatible with the Luminor 1950 case on models powered by the P.9010 movement, therefore, the new bracelet cannot be retrofitted to older cases, which is a major downside.
Since we haven't seen the watches or the bracelet in the metal you guys will have to wait till we do so in order to hear our final thoughts on these new redesigned bracelet.
Sticker Price TBC. For more info on Officine Panerai click here.
