Platinumtech Luminor Marina

Panerai continues to experiment with materials.

The results of experiments in the Panerai laboratory over recent years never cease to amaze. The company famed for its luminous substances is now creating revolutionary alloys. The watch manufacturer's portfolio already includes gold in its rich proprietary shade of Goldtech, a composite material based on carbon fiber called Carbotech, and a light composite mineral material based on basalt rock fibers called Fibratech. And now there's also Platinumtech.

As its name suggests, the new material is a platinum-based alloy. This is an element that Panerai doesn't use that often. Of course, they do have the 45-millimeter Radiomir 8 Days GMT 2005 and the 42-millimeter Radiomir Platinum 2000 in their archives, but these are more of an exception that proves the rule.

However, platinum is now the base material used in the Platinumtech Luminor Marina PAM01116. The watch has been released in a limited edition of 70 pieces and comes with a 70-year warranty (a big reminder of this remarkable warranty term has even been applied to the sapphire display caseback, obscuring part of the movement).

Apart from the platinum alloy with enhanced physical properties for the case, another thing about this watch that stands out is the unexpected choice of colors for the dial: the olive-green face with a sunburst finish, beige numerals and blued hands.

Overall, the Platinumtech Luminor Marina PAM01116 invites you to appreciate the Luminor design cherished by the international Paneristi fanbase. The sandwich dial, three slightly recessed numerals with a date aperture and the proprietary crown-protecting device — all the essential elements remain unchanged.

The watch is equipped with the new automatic P. 9010 caliber with small seconds at 9 o'clock. The movement consists of 200 components, runs at a frequency of 4 Hz and guarantees a three-day power reserve. It's already been housed in other Luminor Marina watches: the stainless steel PAM01359 and the Carbotech PAM00661.

The Panerai Platinumtech Luminor Marina is also 44 mm in diameter like the other two models, and it's 13.4 mm thick. Only the level of water resistance has been lowered: while the two other watches made from different materials that housed the P. 9010 were water resistant to 300 meters, Platinumtech only offers 50 meters.