ReviewExplore The World With The Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT 24h

We live in an era where the entire world is globally connected with fast paced transportation facilities, the internet and social media. Global networking is an integral part of our society as we know it. Keeping this in mind the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT 24h Automatic Acciaio caters to a vast section of the society – the global travellers.

Before we begin, let us understand the crux of the Luminor Collection. The Panerai Luminor series is a collection of exquisite watches featuring multi-faceted functions with special focus given to travellers, especially pilots. From the legendary Radiomir to the advent of the Luminor, Panerai has never failed to impress. The Luminor collection, popularly known as Luminor 1950, is distinctly characterized by its crown-protecting bridge and sturdier wire lugs prepared with the same material as the cushion-shaped case that has a flatter and wider bezel.

Keeping track of time, anywhere.

A pleasant addition to the Luminor collection, the Automatic Acciaio is popular amongst travellers essentially for its innovative GMT function. Apart from telling the time, the GMT complication is one of the most important functions of the watch. What is a GMT function? A GMT watch is usually used to show two time zones at once. It greatly helps globe trotters in keeping track of time, no matter where they might be in the world. Furthermore, the Panerai Automatic Acciaio is equipped with a 24 hour GMT complication. While other Panerais had a GMT function with a second time zone, it was displayed with a 12-hour hand which made determining whether it was day or night very difficult. However, a 24-hour GMT function enables the wearer to read two time zones simultaneously with the help of an independent central hand which makes one full rotation in 24 hours, hence, the problem with the day and night indicator is readily solved. It also lets users set another time, whether new or local, easily without meddling with the minutes and seconds hands.

The Way It Moves

Launched in 2014, the Panerai Luminor Automatic Acciaio is the first watch to house the brand new in-house P.9003 movement. Apart from the creative use of a 24hr GMT, this automatic caliber P.9003 movement has 28 jewels with a balance wheel oscillation frequency of 4 Hz which is equal to 28,800 alternations per hour. With a battery reserve of 3 days, the P.9003 movement features a bi-directional winding rotor. You can set the time with a unique and clever seconds reset device that stops the oscillating balance wheel and resets the seconds hand with just a pull of the crown. The crown dictates all other functions from setting the home-time to the GMT function. This helps in keeping the style of the watch clean with no additional pushers and buttons on the side, therefore, maintaining the traditional style of Panerai watches.

A very interesting and unique addition to the watch is the relocation of the power reserve indicator, now found at the back of the watch. It is visible through a transparent sapphire crystal caseback. Unlike a skeleton watch, you can enjoy the workings of the P.9003 movement without necessarily disrupting the simple look and face of the dial. For this particular movement, a special Luminor 1950 case was also created to hold and preserve the P.9003.

The Classic Sandwich Structured Dial

The black dial of this watch, like all other Panerai watches since 1930, has been assembled in the classic ‘sandwich’ design wherein, the luminous material is layered between two disks. Marked with the distinctive Florentine brand, the dial is made of two disks, one with the luminous layer and the other, the upper disk is matte black and perforated on the top.  The luminous layer shines through the holes of the upper disk which increases the legibility and transparency of the dial during day and night. It also contains a date display window at 3 o’clock and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. The outer ring of the dial has the numerals for the second time zone of 24 hours, pointed out by the arrow-tipped central GMT hand, while the inner circle contains the Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock.

Another interesting element of the watch is the trademarked crown guard with a locking lever seen on many other Panerai watches. It is made with the same material as that of the case but instead of the polished steel used for other parts, the crown guard is made of brushed steel to give the watch a contrasting effect.

The classic Luminor 1950 case is 44 mm made with polished AISI 316L stainless steel which is hypo allergenic and corrosion resistant. With a transparent sapphire anti-reflective crystal and a screwed in case back, the watch has a water resistance of up to 30 bar i.e. 300 meters. The watch comes in a Calf Monte Carlo black leather strap with ecru stitching and a trapezoidal brushed steel buckle. The brand also provides you with a rubber strap (which can be changed with the simple help of the push-pieces on the lug wires), a tool used for inter-changing the straps as well as a steel screwdriver.

While we know that the basic features of this watch might at the heart of it, cater to global travellers and pilots, but it is also very popular amongst adventurers too. If you are looking for an exquisite watch with an excellent 24h GMT complication, the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT 24H Automatic Acciaio is the way to go. For a quick overview of the watch you can also log on to www.ethoswatches.com.

What are your favourite watches from the Panerai Luminor Collection? Have something to add to this article? We would love to hear from you in our comments section below!