Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Automatic Bronzo
Panerai opened its doors in 1860 under Giovani Panerai in Ponte delle Grazie in Florence, Italy. By 1916, the brand had filed a patent for the “Radiomir”, which is a radium based powder that gives luminosity to the dials of their instruments. By 1950, Luminor had replaced the Radiomir with its luminous properties and in that year the famous cushion case emerged known as the Luminor case. This case is characterized by the crown guard and the reinforced wire lugs created from the same block of steel as the case.
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Automatic Bronzo is crafted from finely brushed bronze and carries a case diameter of 47mm,making this piece quite large and imposing. The bezel is also brushed, however, the edges are polished. The bezel rotates anti-clockwise and carries a graduated scale which indicates elapsed time. The bezel is ratcheted and clicks at each minute interval. Unidirectional bezels have become a staple for diving watches as this can be used as an auxiliary timer. The main crown is ridged and is protected by the iconic rounded crown guard. The case back uses brushed titanium chosen for its hypoallergenic and non-corrosive properties. The case back also features an exhibition sapphire crystal through which one can admire the amazing engine that drives this watch.
The movement is automatic mechanical Panerai P.9002, which has been totally made in house by the dedicated watch makers of Panerai. The movement is 7.9mm thick and features 29 jewels, with the spectacularly accurate Glucydur balance wheel which oscillates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH). For shock resistance Panerai uses the reliable Incabloc system. The movement is comprised with 247 components and it features a power reserve of 72 hours (3 days). The dial is green and it features applied luminous hour markers and a date at the 3 o’clock position. At 9 o’clock resides the small seconds. The power reserve indicator is displayed in retrograde format at the 5 o’clock position completing this functional yet exceptionally legible dial.
The sapphire crystal is made completely of corundum which is sapphire in its purest form, and is 2.9mm thick allowing for usage under the harshest of conditions. The sapphire crystal is also coated with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Automatic Bronzo is water resistant to 30 bars or 300 meters. The leather strap is also made in house and features a trapezoidal brushed titanium buckle. Panerai offers this watch with a second interchangeable strap and a steel screwdriver used to make the change.
