In keeping with Luminor’s 70th anniversary, Panerai has just unveiled the LUMINOR MARINA FIBRATECH 44 MM PAM01663 with an innovative high-tech composite based on basalt fibre.
Fibratech might sound super fancy, but it’s a lot more than that. Used for the very first time in the watch industry, the material is obtained with natural and eco-sustainable row fibers. Fibratech is a composite with remarkable physical and mechanical properties. It is 60% lighter than steel, resilient and highly resistant to corrosion, and it has come into being as a result of the state-of-the-art technical expertise of the Panerai Laboratorio di Idee.
The aerospace and automotive industries were one of the first to adopt this material and today is has been further developed and refined by the Florentine Watchmaker in order to give shape to its watches. Fibratech is made from unidirectional mineral fibres produced by the fusion of basalt rock; these fibers, binded with polymers, become thin layers which are superimposed in a precise orientation and then consolidated through a pressure and temperature controlled process. The entire process involving this material is obviously a lot more difficult to work on than something like gold or even stainless steel.
Personally, we’ve not had the opportunity to see this watch up close YET, but Panerai seems to be very satisfied with the result, with plans to use this material in future product offerings.
To break it down even further, Panerai has used Fibratech on the 44mm case and crown-lock bridge while the bezel, the crown and the crown bridge lever is made from Carbotech, giving the case a nice two tone appearance. Fibratech was definitely not a random choice by Panerai. The brand recognized the benefits of using basalt-fibre compounds to enhance the aesthetics of the watch.
A smokey blue dial with a graded effect compliments the case, and features Arabic numerals and hour markers in white Super-LumiNova with green luminescence. There is also a small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock and a date window at 3.
Ensuring an equally high standard on the mechanical front is the P.9010 calibre, entirely conceived and developed by the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. This is an automatic movement only 6 mm thick, fitted with the function for quickly setting the time, which at the same time modifies the date. The movement has a power reserve of three days, provided by its twin spring barrels. The case back of the watch, is done in black-coloured titanium, which allows the watch to achieve water resistance up to 300m.
Securing the case is a strap made of Panerai Sportech, a woven material giving a waterproof rubberised effect, blue with white stitching, fitted with a trapezoid titanium buckle with black DLC coating. A second rubber strap in blue is also supplied, together with a screwdriver for removing the buckle.
PAM01663
MOVEMENT: Automatic mechanical, P.9010 Calibre, 133⁄4 lignes, 6 mm thick, 200 components, 31 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, Glucydur balance, Incabloc anti-shock device, two spring barrels.
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date. POWER RESERVE: 3 days.
CASE: In Fibratech, diameter 44 mm, 15.65 mm thick. Bezel, crown and crown bridge lever in Carbotech, Safety Lock crown-protecting device (protected by trademark) in Fibratech. Sapphire crystal obtained from corundum. 12-sided screw back in micro-sandblasted titanium.
DIAL: Blue with a graded effect, sandwich structure, with Arabic numerals and hour markers in white Super-LumiNova with green luminescence. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock.
STRAP: Made of Panerai Sportech, blue with white sewing, with trapezoidal buckle in titanium with black DLC coating. Additional strap in blue rubber
WATER-RESISTANCE: 30 bar (~300 metres)