BY JOVAN K
Panerai and Luna Rossa have been running together since 2019, and with the 38th America’s Cup in Naples on the horizon, the partnership isn’t slowing down. Over the years, this collaboration has actually produced some of the most wearable and visually distinct Luminors in the brand’s catalog. Unlike a lot of co-branded motorsport or sailing watches that end up feeling like marketing billboards, the Luna Rossa pieces usually hit a sweet spot between purposeful tech and solid everyday design. The latest drop brings two fresh additions: the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768 and the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791. They share the same core aesthetic with silver sun-brushed dials and sharp red accents, but they lean into completely different roles on the wrist.
Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768
First up is the PAM01768 Chrono, which takes a more purpose built approach to timing. It sits in a traditional 44mm stainless steel cushion case with the iconic crown protecting lock. The silver dial gets red and white detailing, including a central chronograph seconds hand that ties into a internal tachymeter scale printed on the flange. Panerai calibrated this scale so you can measure average speed over a kilometer or mile directly off the bezel ring.
Under the solid steel caseback beats the calibre P.9210, an automatic movement built on an ETA 2892 base with a Dubois-Depraz chronograph module. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and gives you 42 hours of power reserve. What really catches the eye here, though, is the strap setup. Panerai gave the PAM01768 an elastic grey Velcro strap featuring a bright red central stripe, making it the first time this quick adjust style has shown up in a Luna Rossa reference. It gives the watch a proper tactical, deck-ready feel, though Panerai also packs a standard black rubber strap in the box if you prefer a classic look. This one is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and priced at €11,200.
Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791
If 44mm feels a bit too hefty or you just want something geared toward travel, the PAM01791 GMT is where things get interesting. At 40mm in diameter, it sits at the more compact end of the modern Luminor spectrum, making it extremely easy to wear for smaller wrists. It also marks a milestone for the collection by becoming the first Luna Rossa watch fitted with a integrated steel bracelet.
The silver sunburst dial on the GMT mirrors the chrono, but with a cleaner layout. You get a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and a distinct arrow-tipped GMT hand in red, styled after the sleek shape of a Luna Rossa hydrofoil sail. Power comes from the automatic P.900/GMT calibre, a ValFleurier based engine offering a solid 3-day (72-hour) power reserve and a 12-hour second time zone function. Flipping the watch over reveals a sapphire caseback, allowing a view of the movement. Thanks to Panerai’s PAM Click Release system, swapping out the steel bracelet for a rubber or leather strap takes seconds without tools. The GMT PAM01791 enters regular production at a price of €11,100.
Both pieces nail what Paneristi love about the brand: bold case geometry, instant legibility, and a genuinely cool connection to competitive ocean racing. Whether you prefer the raw sporty utility of the 44mm Chrono on Velcro or the versatile, daily driver appeal of the 40mm GMT on steel, Panerai has delivered two solid hits here.
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