Last week we showed you Panerai’s new dress watch, the Luminor Due, and today we’re going to look at all the other novelties that were presented to us during the recent presentation in Amsterdam. Let’s have a closer look of what we think of the update for the Luminor 1950, and how do we feel about the new Carbotech? However first we’ll give you an impression of the location for the presentation, which is well worth a visit whenever you are in Amsterdam. First there’s an important update to the Luminor 1950 and there’s a new Luminor 1950 Carbotech.

The Panerai Event

It is the brainchild of ID&T co-founder Duncan Stutterheim and architect Ben van Berkel.The event location was the brand new (barely opened) Amsterdam Tower, a unique concept to work, eat, rave, and sleep. There’s A’DAM & Co, a private members’ club, there’s Restaurant Moon, there’s Restaurant and Skybar Ma’dam and much more. The tower will host a group of creative companies with a passion for music. Have a look at their website (click here) for more information.

Panerai decided that this would be the perfect location for launching a new generation of watches. Everything is so new that you initially think everything is still under construction. The empty parking garage was full of motivating slogans. And while there were still a lot of activities going on, there wasn’t any construction work, but the soon to be opened Sir Adam Hotel, was being furnished. And it was.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Update – same DNA, but thinner!

With the white dial versions especially it makes a whole of difference in our opinion.All new models have been ‘upgraded’ with more than only a new, thinner, movement, and a thinner case. The small seconds hand is now blue, and the indices, numerals and hands have been applied with beige luminescent material, for a bit of ‘patina’ touch. The older 42mm PAM00523 and the 44mm PAM00499, somehow didn’t appeal to us, while the new updated 42mm PAM01523 and the 44mm PAM01499 look much better with the beige luminescent material, especially on the beautifully matching light-brown calf leather strap.

That’s less than what we would expect from a sporty watch with proper diver’s watch roots. The 44mm versions can still be taken down to 300m and have an unchanged water resistance to 30 bar.The 42mm models, both old and the new 42mm models are water-resistant to 10 bar. Although we would applaud a more “serious” water resistance, I do not expect most 42mm Luminor 1950 owners to submerge to “serious” depths.

Besides the Luminor Due (can we call it Panerai’s first dress watch?) several other new models were shown, featuring an new movement. The new movement, calibre P.9010, enabled a reduction in case thickness to 13.2mm for the 42mm models and a reduction to 15.65mm for the 44mm models. Chances are it will fit better under your cuff. Now that sounds like a small reduction, however while on the wrist you actually do notice it. And you will mainly notice it when you want to wear a proper Panerai with the ‘heft’ you expect from it, with your shirt and jacket. What they did was simply adding a “1” to the reference number, and these updated versions are now the first with a four-digit reference number.The collection of the updated Luminor Marina 1950 3 days Automatic Acciaio includes five different models, all with the new Luminor 1950 case that is reduced in height, and with the new automatic calibre P.9010 movement ticking inside.

What they did was simply adding a “1” to the reference number, and these updated versions are now the first with a four-digit reference number.The collection of the updated Luminor Marina 1950 3 days Automatic Acciaio includes five different models, all with the new Luminor 1950 case that is reduced in height, and with the new automatic calibre P.9010 movement ticking inside.

Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 Carbotech 3-Days Automatic PAM00661

The watch is water-resistant to 300 meters / 30 bar. Panerai uses it for the case, the rotating bezel and the lever bridge which protects the winding crown.The mechanical properties of Carbotech are much higher than those of other materials used in the world of watchmaking, such as ceramics and titanium: Carbotech is lighter and much more resistant to blows, as well as being hypoallergenic and non-corrosive.

Therefore each individual watch shows a different pattern and will be unique.Next up… the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 Carbotech 3-Days Automatic. This is a new Carbotech model for Panerai, and Carbotech is a material that Panerai has patented. It consists of layers of carbon fibre pressed together with a polymer called PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), resulting in an irregular matt black appearance that varies depending on how the material is cut.