One of the hits at SIHH 2010 was Panerai’s Radiomir Composite Marina Militare. For 2011 Panerai presents a new Special Edition in that sought-after material: the Luminor Composite 1950 3 Days – 47mm. The new piece combines the lightness, strength and durability of Panerai Composite with the new hand-wound P.3000 caliber, which is designed and produced in the Officine Panerai manufacture in Neuchâtel. Look inside for pricing, availability dates, and wallpaper.
Like last year’s Radiomir, the Luminor 1950 case in Panerai Composite measures 47 mm in diameter, a classic size for Panerai watches, and it has a durable, unique matte brown appearance. Made of the same material are the bridge protecting the winding crown with the classic clamping lever and the round bezel which surrounds the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the case has the polished crystal back which enables the movement to be seen.
The spare dial too is dark brown with the characteristic small seconds dial at 9 o’clock. The sandwich dial is formed of two thin metal discs, the upper one of which is perforated to allow the luminous substance placed between them (Super-LumiNova) to be seen. The hands are also covered with the same luminous substance, in a special ecru color to reproduce the vintage appearance of the dials of the period.
The movement used in the Luminor Composite 1950 3 Days – 47mm is the manufacture P.3000 calibre. The large movement (16½ lignes or about 35mm) is hand-wound with large bridges, comparable to plates, for strength. Twin barrels provide a 72 hour power reserve. A large free-sprung balance wheel helps to ensure accurate timekeeping.
Identified by the reference PAM00375, the new Luminor Composite 1950 3 Days – 47mm is produced in a unique numbered edition of 2,000 examples and it is supplied with a leather strap, closed by a buckle made of Panerai Composite.
The retail price is 8900 euros, or the approximate local equivalent. Look for it to arrive at retailers this Fall.
Additional technical information appears below the images, which may be substantially enlarged with a click.
Panerai Luminor Composite 1950 3 Days – 47mm
Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, Panerai P.3000/1 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 16½ lignes, 5.3 mm thick, 21 jewels, Glucydur balance, 21,600 alternations/hour. Incabloc anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 160 components.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds.
Case: Diameter 47 mm, brown Panerai Composite.
Bezel: Brown Panerai Composite, integrated into the case.
Back: See-through burnished sapphire crystal.
Device protecting the crown: (protected as a Trademark) Brown Panerai Composite.
Dial: Brown with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Small seconds at 9 o’clock.
Crystal: Sapphire, made from corundum, 2mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.
Water resistance: 10 bar (~100 metres).
Strap: PANERAI personalised leather strap and large-size Panerai Composite buckle. Supplied with a second interchangeable strap and a steel screwdriver.
Reference: PAM00375.
