LIMITED TO 70 PIECES: The Panerai Luminor Marina Guillaume Néry Edition PAM01122

Over the last decade, Officine Panerai have been pursuing innovation in the materials they use to produce their watches. We’ve seen the likes of Composite, Carbotech, BMG TECH, and fibratech - and today we’re looking at a Panerai with another innovative and exciting case material. 

This year, Panerai have been celebrating the 70th anniversary since the introduction of the Luminor luminous substance, and here’s another they’ve introduced with a new model dedicated to Guillaume Néry, a French freediving champion and multiple world record holder specialized in deep diving. 

The new Luminor Marina 44 mm Guillaume Néry Edition PAM01122 is limited to only 70 pieces worldwide and were exclusively available through Panerai Boutiques. The screwed solid caseback in DLC-coated titanium is engraved with the signature of the champion and an image recalling his latest record when he reached a depth of 126 meters with only one breath. A "70 Years Warranty" logo is also engraved. So, this special edition is limited to 70 pieces and is guaranteed for 70 years, a remarkable achievement.

It comes in a micro-sandblasted titanium case that is 44 mm in diameter and 16.2 mm thick. This is no ordinary carved-out block of titanium, though, it’s been made using a technique called Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). A very high power laser blasts a specific shape into a container filled with an extremely fine titanium powder. When the laser has finished, the container lowers slightly, and an arm smoothes over the powder so the laser can blast the next layer. The sintering machine continues this until it creates the finished product, think of it as a different form of 3D printing (which is essentially what it is). Each layer is 0.03mm thick, meaning the process takes a long time and is very expensive to do. It makes the case extremely light, with the model weighing approximately 100grams.

The bezel and the crown are made of titanium with rubberized coating to create a contrast with the case. The screwed solid caseback in DLC-coated titanium is engraved with the signature of the champion and an image recalling his latest record when he reached a depth of 126 meters with only one breath.

The shaded black  dégradé dial (meaning “fade” has a sandwich structure, with small seconds at 9 o’clock and date at 3 o’clock. Arabic numerals, indices and hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova emitting a green glow in the dark.

This model is powered by the self-winding P.9010 calibre, designed and manufactured by Panerai in-house. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz, it offers an autonomy of 3 days provided by two spring barrels whose springs are wound by an oscillating weight operating in both directions. 

 The watch is matched to a strap made from black recycled PET material with white stitching and a trapezoidal pin buckle in titanium with DLC coating. A white rubber technical strap featuring a  luminescent "Officine Panerai" personalization is included with each watch, which I’m sure will be just as sought after - It’s the only model with this strap and i’ve been informed they are non-replaceabble. 

 The luminescence of a Panerai will always be a big factor in bringing people to the brand. The consistent glow in the dark adds to the appeal and is definitely an eye-catcher. 

 Although we already have  another model in sandblasted titanium, the 1117, This special edition paying homage to Guillaume Nery is a very rare piece where few will ever surface again in the secondary market