By Osheen Arakelian
The PAM00531 as it is often known, is a new creation from Panerai that incorporates a second time zone using a GMT function. GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, which was established in 1884 at the International Meridian Conference and is located I Greenwich, England. What this did was establish where the global time standard is set and is still used to this day as the place where time is set for the rest of the world.
Now with the history lesson out of the way, let’s get down to business. I have been a long time Panerai collector and have always loved what they have done especially with their limited edition pieces. Here today we have the very impressive PAM00531 that has been designed as most GMT functionality pieces are, for pilots and those who travel.
While you may think that this is just another 24hr GMT from Panerai you will be surprised to know that this is the first piece to have a new manufacture movement from Panerai. Launched in 2014, the automatic caliber P.9003 is a new movement made in the Officine Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. Its biggest innovation is the use of a 24hr GMT instead of the standard 12hr GMT. Also, there has been a redesign of the power reserve indicator that is located on the back of the watch and is made visible through the use of a sapphire crystal caseback, which has become something of a trend much to my liking. I have always loved the idea of using a crystal caseback to show off the movement in a way that isn’t in your face or clutters the face of the watch.
What is also impressive and fantastic in terms of legibility even in the poorest conditions is the sandwich dial that has been utilized on the PAM00531. Along with the classic hands the very functional arrow for the GMT function, this makes the PAM00531 a great success in terms of legibility and functionality. This type of dial construction has been used since the 1930’s and has become a trademark of the Florentine style of dial construction used by Panerai.
Also as a little side note, the crown guard that is seen on many Panerai models has also been utilized on this piece but has been used in its classic form with brushed steel contrasting the polished case.
Panerai has really hit the mark with this particular piece. The 24hr GMT functionality along with the use of a new manufacture movement has been a great success and if that wasn’t enough, the sandwich dial adds that touch of class that just makes it stand out amongst the rest. The Luminor 1950 3-days GMT 24h is priced at € 7.900 EUR. For more info, please visit panerai.com
Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9003 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 7.9 mm thick, 28 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 233 components.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, second time zone with 24h indication, seconds reset, power reserve indicator on the back.
Case: Diameter 44 mm, AISI 316L polished steel.
Bezel: Polished steel.
Back: See-through sapphire crystal.
Device protecting the crown: (protected as trademark) Brushed steel.
Dial: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. 24h indication on the edge. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock.
Crystal: Sapphire, formed of corundum, 2.6 mm thick. Anti-reflective coating.
Water-resistance: 30 bar (~ 300 metres).
Strap: PANERAI personalised leather strap and trapezoidal brushed steel buckle. Supplied with a second interchangeable strap, a tool for changing the strap and a steel screwdriver.
Reference: PAM00531.
Osheen Arakelian – Contributing Writer
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
