Panerai Luminor Marina, Ref. PAM 113, 2004

Identity

Panerai Luminor Marina, Ref. PAM 113, circa 2004. Manual-winding mechanical movement, calibre OP XI. Steel cushion case, 44 mm, lever-operated crown-protecting bridge. White dial, Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 6 o'clock, baton indexes, small seconds at 9 o'clock, luminous baton hands. Sapphire crystal, sapphire case back. Rubber strap and steel pin buckle, both Panerai-signed and original.

Horological context

In 1860 Giovanni Panerai opened a shop on the Ponte alle Grazie in Florence, which also housed the city's first watchmaking school. The house became supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. In 1916 it patented Radiomir, a radium-based luminous material, and in the 1930s developed the watch of the same name for the Navy's divers. The name Luminor, registered in 1949, first designated a new luminous material. It then passed to the diving watch fitted with the crown-protecting bridge, patented by Guido Panerai & Figlio in 1956. In 1993 Panerai opened its models to the public with the 44 mm Luminor and Luminor Marina. In 1997 the house joined the Vendôme Group, now Richemont.

Character

The crown-protecting bridge, inherited from the Italian Navy watches, locks the crown with a lever: the watch remains water-resistant to 300 metres. On the white dial, the large black numerals keep the legibility of an instrument. Beneath the sapphire case back, the bridges engraved with the Panerai name are on view.

Serviced watch. Very good condition. Delivered with its original Panerai box and papers, together with the Contre-Temps 24-month warranty certificate.