Jamie Weiss
Watchmakers love to pay homage to their history, but not all retro revivals are equal. However, Panerai Lamina Marina Miriturn PAM05218 is a reissue that is done correctly. It is a recreational recreation that is primarily faithful to the military-only model released in the same year when Panerai first became available to civilians. I think some things are just worth the wait…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec-ytcleyg4
But let’s go back in time soon. To greatly simplify Panerai’s history, the current global luxury brand was founded in 1860 as a watch shop and a watchmaking school in Florence, Italy. In the 1910s, Panerai began supplying precision instruments to the Italian Navy, and since 1935 they have been diving watches. In 1949, Panerai patented the name “luminor,” and in 1956 the introduction of the GPF-2/56, commonly known as the “Egigiano,” which debuted Panerai’s now unmistakable crown protection device. In fact, until the turn of the century, for most of Panerai’s existence, Panerai dive watches were not available to the public and reserved for military use only.
But it all changed in 1993. The previous year, a groundbreaking article about the company appeared in popular Japanese watch magazines, urging Panerai to offer watches to the private market. Panerai launched a civilian offering with two watches: a mare nostril chronograph and a lighting fixture, but it is not the lighting fixture that this new reference, PAM05218, has been revived. In fact, it was the revival of the third watch released in 1993, the 5218-202/A, which was actually offered only to Italian Navy personnel. This so-called “Preben Dome” Marina Miriturn has become something of a cult classic from the Panerai Pantheon. It’s the kind of watch that hardcore Paneristy really loves. However, it’s very cool to see Panerai give this coveted model a wider re-release, as only about 140 people have been made so far.
case
Now, I say that this PAM05218 is a faithful recreation, but there are some important differences from the original. Aesthetically, it’s very similar to that, but Panerai brought some latest upgrades to the table. The original had a 44mm black PVD treated stainless steel case. This reissue retains the same “Betarini Style” dimensions, but is then processed by DLC instead.
The water resistant rating remains the same as the 300-meter original, with motion protected by the iconic Panerai Crown Guard, and a screw-under caseback similar to what you’ll find in the original.
Dial
Similarly, the dial on PAM05218 is a dead ringer for the Marina militia in Bendmem. The text uses the same font, and unlike most panelleys, there is no sandwich dial.
Particularly great details are the choice of hands and numbers rooms for this reissue. The original 5218-202/a example had a manufacturing flaw in which the varnish used in the numbers developed an orange brown colour, leaving the hands green. This was fixed in a later batch. In other words, only a few had this “nonmatching” room, but mismatching clocks are now very collectable. Panerai has reproduced the difference between Lume and this modern model.
Before this year’s watch and wonder, when Andrew and Russell visited Paneraila Bodhideide in Switzerland with Andrew and Russell, I had the opportunity to give it a try. This is what really stood out when I put it on my wrist.
strap
Another commitment to periodic correction is its strap. This strap has an oversized black steel DLC trapezoid buckle sewn into thick, gold brown calf leather. It feels very rustic and robust – if you’re going to add this watch to your collection, get ready to break it a little!
Movement
Another upgrade it brings to the table is at the forefront of the movement. The original was ETA/Unitas 6497. It was one of the most popular manual winding mechanical movements in the watch industry, with only a 46-hour power reserve. Instead, PAM05218 uses the Panerai Caliber P.6000.
verdict
The PAM05218 really feels like an Italian military clock from a bygone era. It’s almost creepy. In hand it is quite different from other lighting fixtures in Panerai’s current range. Modern upgrades are restrained, but welcome. That’s not what I necessarily call the most functional diving watch of all time. It’s that there is no hand or timing bezel of seconds, but as a design object it’s a killer.
Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218Price and availability
The Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 is currently available from Panerai Boutiques and production is limited to 500 units per year. Price: USD 9,200
Brand Panerai Model Luminor Marina Milli Return Reference Number PAM05218 Case Dimensions 44mm (D) Case Material Black DLC Stainless Steel Water Resistance 300m, Panerai Crown Protection Device Crystal Front Dial Monolayer Holoff Function Available Time and Minutes Available Price 9,200 USD
