Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel Collection
The emblematic Italian watch made in a new (not to so new...) material.
The Luminor and its Marina variation need no introduction anymore. It might well be the most emblematic watch produced by the Officine, recognisable thanks to its cushion-shaped case, its Safety Lock crown protection and sandwich dial. It has been around for decades and has barely changed since. Although the burly design won’t shock anybody anymore, today some new references join the collection. Not really new models, but cased in what the brand calls “an innovative metal“. Here’s the new Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel Collection – PAM01157, PAM01356 and PAM01358.
Sustainable strategies and eco-friendliness are, for good reasons, becoming a normal thing in all industries. Cars are becoming electric, and clothes are more and more being produced from recycled materials. This trend has even started to invade the watchmaking industry with multiple initiatives related to the conservation of the oceans, or parts of watches – mostly straps and packaging – made from recycled materials. Today, Panerai unveils a new collection and, in a bold statement announces a “mission to bring more circular practices to the world of watchmaking“.
As part of the collection presented for Watches & Wonders 2021, Panerai unveils watches “made of recycled-based materials, corresponding to the 58.4% of the total weight of the watch,” implemented on a new series of classic Luminor Marina watches. The idea was to develop a “recycled-based steel alloy” for the case, the crown protection module and the dial. The brand names this “one of the most remarkable technical achievements in the brand’s history“. And although the brand claims that this eSteel meets the same standards as traditional stainless steel cases, we’ll leave it up to you to judge the relevance of the brand’s statement.
Let’s now concentrate on these three new references instead. Apart from this unprecedented alloy, the PAM01157, PAM01356 and PAM01358 are fairly classic Luminor Marinas, sharing most of the design cues and specifications with traditional stainless steel models such as the PAM01313. This means a classic cushion-shaped case of 44mm diameter and 15.45mm height, mostly brushed, except for a polished bezel, with the emblematic trademark Safety Lock crown protection device (also in eSteel) and a 300m water-resistance. The crown itself is rubberised in a colour matching that of the dial.
For the dial, these Luminor Marina share the typical Panerai sandwich architecture design – meaning a two-plate construction, the upper one featuring cut-outs to reveal the numerals/markers and the lower one coated with Super-LumiNova. These new watches are available in three dial colours, all with a trendy gradient effect: Blu Profondo, Grigio Roccia and Verde Smeraldo – the latter being a boutique exclusive edition. The gradient colour is not applied in a classic radial way, but from 12 to 6 o’clock.
Inside the case, under a solid caseback, the new Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel models rely on one of the brand’s well-known movements, the in-house calibre P.9010. This automatic movement features two barrels for a comfortable 72-hour or 3-day power reserve. A practical feature of this calibre is the quick setting of the hour hand, which can be moved in steps of one hour forwards or backwards, while simultaneously adjusting the date – especially practical when travelling.
The new PAM01157, PAM01356 and PAM01358 are all worn on straps matched with the dial, made from recycled textile and closed by a trapezoidal pin buckle in eSteel. An additional strap is also included and the box is also composed of recycled materials.
Availability & Price
The new Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel will join the permanent collection and will be available from boutique and retailers, except the PAM01356 Verde Smeraldo that is a boutique exclusive edition. They will be priced at EUR 8,500.
