Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Welcome, watch-wearing persons to Wrist Game or Crying Shame This week, we head back to 2008 to take a look at the Panerai Luminor Marina PVD Destro. Are you sinister enough for this one? Before we find outLast week, I truly enjoyed myself when talking about the original TAG Heuer Formula 1. This cheap and cheerful watch even brought out some great stories from you fine folks about your adolescent years. Sadly, it wasnt all fun and games because the high school bullies gave this one a wedgie to the poor TAG. As a result, this one flunked out with a 56% Crying Shame loss. Boo Now, lets head to the next decade and talk about the Panerai Luminor Marina PVD Destro. Are you ready?To Texas and bac [...]

New watch releases are buses. You wait around for ages with no luck, and then you get ten all at once. OK, the saying is slightly different from that, but in Panerais world, its not. The brand has indeed just dropped ten new watches. Those ten watches are broken down into six different model families. Lets take a quick look at them all!Panerai?Submersible eLAB-ID PAM01225First up, we have some tasty newness from Panerais LAB-ID range, now with an eco twist. May I introduce you to the new Submersible eLAB-ID PAM01225. The PAM 01225 contains the highest percentage of recycled materials ever in a watch. This positions Panerai at the forefront of the movement towards more environmentally respons [...]

Today I have something out of my usual comfort zone in front of me A Panerai PAM01164. Im pretty happy to admit that usually, Im not much of a fan of gold, and there are not many modern watches Id specifically choose to purchase or wear in gold, be that yellow gold, red gold, or even white gold. Im a stainless steel guy who would consider dabbling in titanium, but thats about it.Nonetheless, I have this red gold Panerai Submersible to take a look at today, so lets do just that Say hello to the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso, reference PAM01164, an updated version of the PAM00684, which was, for all intents and purposes, the same watch but with an inferior water-r [...]

I am not that well-endowed in the wrist department. There, I said it. I dont have the wrist mass that allows me to successfully and confidently wear some larger-sized watches, and thats a shame. Theres plenty of watches that I would love to own, but the sheer heft of the case means itd look like I was wearing a wall clock on my wrist. Despite my lamentations, theres not much I can do. Im not a weights guy, and I wont be going down to the local gym to pump some wrist iron and bulk them up. Its just not happening.I like hiking on the weekends, but thats as far as my exercise goes. All of the above basically means that most Panerai watches are firmly outside the realms of wrist-based realism fo [...]

First things first. This Panerai Luminor Tourbillon GMT PAM00768 is not a new watch. The Lo Scienzato (the scientist) collection has existed since 2010. It pays tribute to the Tuscan genius Galileo Galilei.In 2019, Panerai introduced this Luminor Tourbillon GMT PAM00768. It is a bold watch, with its 47mm case diameter and skeletonized dial and tourbillon complication. Most of the time, I am not particularly interested in reviewing watches that are priced out of the ballpark. I like to review what is on my own horizon or radar, and what I can feasibly afford. A 145,000, watch is definitely not within my budget for watches. But, sometimes, when a watch is very special or has a certain complica [...]

Paneristi rejoice The Italian brand has released its latest watch, the Luminor Marina 44mm Guillaume N ry Edition PAM1122. The PAM1122 celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of Luminor, a patented tritium-based substance with luminescent properties. It is also a tribute to freediver and Brand Ambassador Guillaume N ry.Forming an important part of dive watch history, Panerai has done some exciting things with the Luminor Marina. The PAM1122 was developed by the Panerai Laboratorio di Idee, using DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) technology, which shapes the titanium case using a 3D printing process. The finished product takes on a cool granulated texture.hands-on takeaways of the tech [...]

Panerai has come a long way since its watches were first made available to the public in 1993. While the Italian powerhouse overawed the market with large, steel watches with hand-wound movements, Panerai has turned into a highly innovative Swiss manufacture.Last year, Panerai was one of the few watch brands we were able to meet in person (during the Geneva Watch Days in August). And the staff of the brands Geneva boutique had a lot to show us, as Watches Wonders (the successor of SIHH) was only done digitally. Now, I love a lot of things digital-only, but discovering new watches is something I would always rather do in the real world.One of last years Panerai novelties is this Panerai Lumi [...]

Welcome to This Week in Watches for September 12, 2020 the olio edition. Olio is one of those crossword answers that refers to a collection of things. Boy, do we have a mix today!Before we dive into the olio, I thought Id take a brief moment. Yesterday was the 19th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. In some ways, that awful day feels like yesterday. Many of us recall where we were when we first got news of these terrible events. Some of us have a personal connection to those who were lost or to those who aided in the rescues or ensuing repairs. It was a terrible day, but by and large, people came together and emerged once again. Never forgetand Id say its even more important during a [...]

Although not officially part of the Geneva Watch Days event, Panerai decided to open its doors to the traveling cartel of journalists and retailers to take advantage of the sudden influx of industry professionals over the 26th-29th of August 2020.We kicked off Thursday with a visit to the Panerai boutique in central Geneva. As it turned out, it was quite a revelation for all of us (RJ, Bert, Mike, and me). Many Fratello team members have owned Panerai watches in the past (and some still do). However, I do not, have not, and have never seriously considered it. Until now, that isThe closest I ever came to buying a Panerai, was buying horrendously cheap imitation cases to play with during my wa [...]

Welcome to This Week in Watches for August 22, 2020 the hot edition. The searing heat is about to break in Europe, so take in the cool air and some new watches.UNION Glashutte Noramis Chronograph Sachsen 2020How do you like a hot red dial? The UNION Chronographs Sachsen 2020 is a COVID victim. This chrono was designed as a celebratory piece for the Sachsen oldtimer rally. That rally has been postponed to 2021. Union will make just 350 pieces of this 42mm stainless automatic chronograph. It features a reddish dial with a dashboard-inspired theme. An ETA 7753 based movement with 60 hours power reserve called the UNG 27.02 lurks within and the watch is 15.25mm thick. Pricing is 2,875 if you tak [...]

Its Two For Tuesday time where we take a look at two watches that commonly cause hand-wringing at decision time. This week, youll need to muster some serious arm strength to lift those hands because were going BIG with the Panerai Luminor and Radiomir.The Legend of PaneraiI know that Ive mentioned this before, but the early 2000s hysteria caused by Panerai was a completely unique mania. There had been nothing like it up until that point in the watch world and theres been nothing since. Sure, the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and your steel sports Rolex du jour are impossible to find, but these are very specific cases. Nigh on 20 years ago, just about everything from Panerai was?unobtanium. The brand [...]

We are very happy to have the CEO of Officine Panerai on our podcast, Mr. Jean-Marc Pontrou . We talk to him about the current status of the watch industry, how the brand is navigating these difficult times, and about the recent introduction of Panerais very own PAMCast.After the mandatory wrist check (see below), Mike and RJ discuss these topics. Our Fratello on Air podcast can be played via Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google Podcast, and?Buzzsprout.During the podcast, we discuss the PAMCast initiative by Panerai. With this content-based initiative, Panerai offers interesting stories to their fan base. You can visit the PAMCast here. The latest PAMCast is about the Luminor Blue Mare, and ca [...]

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Robert-Jan spoke with Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontrou about this years Panerai introductions, the Panerai experience trips and whether Pontrou considers himself to be a Luminor or Submersible type of guy.Jean-Marc Pontrou , Panerai CEOOther videos from us can be found on our YouTube channel, here. [...]

In this Sunday morning column, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week we take to the waves, but stay above them for once. The Rolex Yacht-Master II and the Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa Regatta Chrono Flyback are approaching the start line, but firstLast week, the battle wed been waiting for took place. To be quite frank, it wasnt the gritty tussle for which Id ho [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly mask-free version of Choose Your Own Adventure This week, well have a look at a Panerai of nearly legal drinking age in the Submersible. But firstIm on a roll. Perhaps my roll is down the hill of despair, but Ive now featured two losers in a row. Last weeks Patek Philippe 5524G Calatrava suffered a tight but ultimately decisive 52% Crying Shame loss. While I quietly applaud the Patek entr|e into more adventurous realms, most of you do not and, therefore, it appears that a Brioni suit still trumps a Givenchy tee (as if). Moving on, lets see if todays Panerai Submersible whets your appetite for adventure. For those who enjoy my sarcastic s [...]

Welcome to a special episode of This Week in Watches. I say special because its a one-brand show today as we bring you the Panerai Edition where Ill run down each and every new model for 2020.What youll notice in this Panerai edition is a real focus on case materials. Its almost as if Panerai has transitioned into a Formula 1 chassis builder with its suite of cool composites. And for those who have scoffed at reduced water resistance in the recent past, rest assured that 300 meters it the theme here. Lets get to it.PAM01118 Luminor Marina Carbotech 44The Luminor Marina Carbotech 44 closely follows yesterdays PAM01117 Luminor Marina. This watch also celebrates the 70th anniversary of Luminor [...]

As far as anniversaries go, this one is cool. While were used to hearing about brands or specific models/model families celebrating significant (or often seemingly arbitrary) dates in their history, it is less common to celebrate the anniversary of a component, or, in this case, a?substance that went on to change a brands history. But here we are. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Luminor, the tritium-based glow-in-dark goo that turns 70 this year.And how did Luminors inventors Panerai choose to celebrate? By jumping the lume shark on a pair of rocket-powered water-skis, of course. While the Luminor name is now better known as the family that first brought the luminous substa [...]

Welcome to the jungle that is Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly internet voting game that allows you to choose whether a watch is cool enough to grace your supple wrist This week, we take a look at the Panerai Luminor Base Logo.? But firstLast week, I showed you the Rolex Precision 6694. To jog your memory, this is a sweet 34mm Oyster with a manual wind movement. At just over 3,500, it walked away with a respectable 68% Wrist Game win. Id call that a solid weeks work despite the normal whinging about featuring a Rolex. Well, this week we are back with yet another finger flexer in the Panerai Luminor Base Logo. Lets see if adding 10mm of diameter is a good thing for you or not!Panerai Lu [...]

There are few brands that can lay claim to a following as fervent as the Paneristi. A group of watch lovers so passionate, they spawned their own, official model. As a publication with some experience of the same, we have to say this: Respect where respect is due. Panerai, after all these years, continues to keep an old design fresh. With the new PAM01661, Luminor Marina gets a taste of Carbotech.The Panerai Luminor Marina is a classic. No doubt about it. The Luminor range was created in 1950, but didnt go on sale to the public until 1993. When it did, the Luminor Marina joined the collection and has been a fan favorite ever since. The fact that for so much of the brands history its watches [...]

Hey team, its time for This Week in Watches and we have lots of news this week!? Im already listening to Bubl and would like to get back to it so lets get into it!RJ Watches ARRAW Spider-Man CarbonFirst up on This Week in Watches is the RJ Watches Spider-Man Carbon.? This 100-piece, 45mm carbon-cased watch features an in-house RJ-3005 manual wind movement that looks like its floating in a spiders web.? The case back is done in titanium and has some pretty cool Spider-Man inscriptions on it.? Honestly, Im at an age where I look fondly upon my comic book buying days and Im sure there are other (far wealthier) people who feel the same.? At 19,200 Euros, theyll be getting something a bit more [...]