Buffy Acacia
The Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424 introduces a burgundy sunburst dial just in time for Valentine’s Day.Its 42mm case allows regular wrists to comfortably pull off a Panerai.Can Panerai keep up enough interest just by changing dial colours?Intended to make the Luminor more accessible for most wrists, the Panerai Luminor Due was first released in 2016 as a smaller, slimmer take on Panerai’s big, bold dive watch. That means we've now had eight years of Panerai bringing in slightly altered references, and this latest PAM01424 introduces a luscious wine-red gradient. The release of a burgundy dial right before Valentine’s Day is no accident either, as the brand's Italian heritage makes them no strangers to romantic gestures. It does beg the question, however: is a flashy new dial enough to excite modern audiences?To be clear, this Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424's combination of sunburst burgundy is a winner. Anyone in the market for a Panerai will inevitably come across this reference and have it skyrocket to the top of their wish list. The soft transition between the deep blacks of the dial's peripheries and the candy-apple red that surrounds the centre pinion is beautiful, and it gives an air of sophistication to the watch without undermining its inherent sportiness. The dial is relatively minimalist in markers except for the small seconds subdial and the date complication, which is also given a deep red background for continuity, but depth is added from the brushed texture and the sandwich construction which allows the hour markers to be slightly sunken.My question of excitement mainly stems from the repetitiveness of Panerai's releases over the last few years. There have definitely been a couple of standouts, but for the most part, we're just seeing slight variations on the same watches. Enthusiasts who follow the news closely will have noticed this pattern, and they will be wondering when Panerai may start to venture into some unknown territory. This kind of thing almost certainly isn't going to worry Panerai, who has an extremely loyal customer base as well as a surprising amount of pop culture cut-through, but it's something to consider if they want to keep up with the competition.It's one thing to mention the competition, but truthfully, the look that Panerai offers is unique. The Luminor's cushion-shaped case is an icon worthy of recognition, as is the hefty crown guard which was originally designed to prevent the crown from being pulled out while underwater. That said, the Luminor Due is not supposed to be a dive watch. It has a water resistance of 50 metres, and essentially serves as a flavour-packed punch of Panerai character without the risks and wear associated with diving and military history. It's also relatively friendly to smaller wrists, with this 42mm case version having a lug-to-lug length of 49mm. The movement is Panerai's ubiquitous P.9000 movement, offering a 72-hour power reserve beating at 4Hz thanks to twin mainspring barrels.The Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424 pricing and availabilityThe Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424 is now available from Panerai retailers. Price: A$10,500.BrandPaneraiModelLuminor Due PAM01424Case Dimensions42mm (D) x 49mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50 metresCrystal(s)SapphireDialBurgundy sunburstBraceletLeather strapMovementP.900, produced by ValFleurier, automaticPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, dateAvailabilityAvailable nowPriceA$10,500
05.02.24