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FeatureThe Legend Of Luminor-Panerai

The Story Behind Panerai’s Iconic Luminor Collection

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In 1949, Panerai developed a tritium based compound that was luminous in nature and provided excellent visibility in the dark. It was patented as “Luminor”. Countless innovations, thousands of models and more than 60 years later, the Panerai Luminor is one of the most sought-after watch collections in the world, thanks to its exclusive use of the Luminor substance and a highly distinctive design that is unlike any other timepiece found in the world today.

The Panerai Luminor has a clean black dial and a wide bezel

Luminor Panerai may have been invented in 1949, but there is a long story that precedes its development. It is the story of Panerai the watchmaker. Giovanni Panerai opened his workshop and store in Florence, Italy in 1860, almost 80 years before Luminor came into existence. By 1900, owing to Panerai’s excellent designs and watchmaking skills, the company had become official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy, or the Regia Marina. Panerai supplied watches as well as precision instruments to the Navy. In the early 1900s, the Royal Italian Navy required a watch which could show time in the dark. This led to the creation of the Radiomir substance in 1916. It was a radium-based material that could be used perfectly in the dials of watches and other instruments. The first Radiomir watch was created in 1936 and met the requirements of the Navy. But Panerai the watchmaker was driven to continue its research in finding an even better luminous substance. Thus was born “Luminor”, the Iconic Luminor Panerai Collection. This is the legend of Luminor-Panerai.

Panerai filed a patent for the Luminor substance on 11 January 1949. Luminor surpassed Radiomir in its luminous capacity and is even today considered by some watch experts as the finest self-luminous substance available on the dials of watches across the globe. The substance inspired the name for Panerai’s new collection of watches: Luminor.

The Luminor substance ensures excellent visibility even in the dark

The Panerai Luminor collection has a few distinct characteristics that make it one of the most easily recognizable watches in the world. To begin with, every Luminor watch since the 1950’s has a large cushion shaped case which gives a rather sturdy image to the timepiece. Adding to the brawny look are the reinforced wire lugs, which are made out of stainless steel like the case of the watch. A wide bezel is also one of the features of the Luminor collection. But the most important one is the crown protecting device, which has been patented by the watchmaker and can only be found in Panerai watches. This exclusive design element is what distinguishes Panerai Luminor watches from other timepieces and gives them a distinct edge over their counterparts from other brands.

The crown protecting device was introduced as a way to increase the water resistance of the watch. As the crown is one of the most common areas from where water seeps into the watch, the device fulfilled a great functional purpose. Today, this exclusive crown protecting device has also become a style statement, especially because of the fact that it is exclusively found in Panerai watches.

The crown protecting device, here seen on the Luminor 8 Days Acciaio, is patented and exclusively seen in Panerai watches

Luminor watches mostly have a deep black dial, though there are a few models which sport a white dial. The dial features Arabic numeral hour markers at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. In some cases, the 3 o’clock marker is absent because of the presence of a date display window. A small seconds sub-dial usually resides at 9 o’clock and few models also feature a power reserve, which is found at the 6 o’clock position. The hands and indexes are coated with Luminor and glow bright green in the dark.

All the watches in the collection have a certain sense of clarity on their dials, possibly because of the lack of minute markers. The Arabic numerals and indexes give a bold look to the timepiece. The bezel is clean except in the case of the Luminor Submersible, which features a unidirectional rotating bezel with markings intended to measure diving time. The watches are available with a leather strap, stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap. They are powered by mechanical movements which are highly precise and reliable.

The Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Automatic is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement which can be seen through the transparent caseback

The Panerai Luminor is a bold, sturdy watch with an illustrious history behind its creation. Its patented crown protecting device, cushion shaped case, wide bezel and exclusive luminous material make it a great watch for those who like to wear a timepiece that is highly distinctive and unique.

Panerai watches are available at the Ethos Summit Boutique in UB City, Bangalore. The entire range of Panerai, including the Luminor collection, can be found here. Akil Manekia, Deputy Store Head at the Ethos Summit Boutique in Bangalore has undergone extensive training on Panerai timepieces and can help you find the perfect Panerai watch for yourself. Walk into the boutique now and explore these fine masterpieces from the house of Panerai.

The Panerai Counter at Ethos Summit Boutique in UB City, Bangalore
Akil Manekia, Deputy Store Head, is an expert on Panerai timepieces
A few Panerai watches at the Ethos Summit Boutique in UB City, Bangalore

Explore Panerai Luminor Collection

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