PAM 673 - Luminor 1950 Marina Militare 3 Days

[carl]

With few exceptions, I never buy a watch without first seeing it in real life. Being a Special Edition model, from 2016, I was pleased to see that the Vancouver Boutique had one. Certainly the largest watch I have owned, still very comfortable. With the thicker case and longer, thick lugs, it does wear considerably larger than a Radiomir 47mm. Having a 44mm Luminor in titanium is great, but I still craved the Luminor 1950.

I love that this one has a plexiglass crystal as well, and also a spare one in the beautiful presentation box. Another feature that sets makes it unique is the narrower gold hands, with sharp gold tips. And I have to admit the "Marina Militare" (Navy) printed on the dial is a big deal for me. Sometimes, these little details really make a watch special.

I wasn't sure if I would like it as much as the Radiomir, but wearing it for the day yesterday proved me wrong. Just fits the wrist beautifully, and it is a treat to glance at it every so often. Well, quite often!

Anyway, some pics:

Amazing presentation box. Three different plaques and certificate. Under the top tray are the papers, manual and black rubber strap. Like all boxes for Special Edition models, it has a lock and key as well. Just a nice touch, and I admit that I'm a sucker for such things:











A few random pics:



Love the hands on this one:









When I put on a Radiomir this morning, it actually seems small in comparison. Even though the case is the same size. The short wire lugs on the Panerai help to make it fit smaller, and even good for smaller wrists. Anyway, none of the Panerai models seem too large any more! A year ago, I would never have thought it.

Shares the same P.3000 3 Day movement as Radiomir and other Luminor 1950. Although this one does not have a power reserve indicator or small seconds.

Cheers,
Carl

[muckymark]

carl Congrats once again. That is a terrific watch, possibly my favourite in your Panerai collection.

[carl]

Sept 3, 2018 12:39:10 GMT -6 muckymark said:

carl Congrats once again. That is a terrific watch, possibly my favourite in your Panerai collection.

Funny, I didn't think I would like it as much as the Radiomir models. But having in my wrist all day yesterday changed that. Haven't decide yet if I like it better, though. While it's not a blingy watch at all, the large lugs and the wider bezel definitely give it a different presence on the wrist, and I like that.

[aquajoe]

Hey carl would you mind giving us a side view shot so we can get a load of that plexi crystal?

[priamo]

Just another brilliant Panerai. They are so unencumbered, masculine, truly unique. Please tell us more about your liking for the plexiglass on this one.

[carl]

Sept 3, 2018 13:24:32 GMT -6 aquajoe said:

Hey carl would you mind giving us a side view shot so we can get a load of that plexi crystal?

The domed crystal, I think, more than the fact that it is plexiglass, gives a great distorted look to the dial. And it does look great from the side.

[carl]

Sept 3, 2018 14:21:43 GMT -6 priamo said:

Just another brilliant Panerai. They are so unencumbered, masculine, truly unique. Please tell us more about your liking for the plexiglass on this one.

I have to be honest about the plexiglass, as opposed to sapphire crystal on the Panerai. I have a Radiomir 424 California with a sapphire crystal, and it gives the same visual effects as the plexi for me. So, even if the 673 did not have the plexiglass, I don't think it would be a deal breaker. But, just the fact of knowing that it does have plexiglass - and even comes with a spare - gives me a feeling of satisfaction to know it is more like an original. And I kind of look forward to what it will look like after some wear and possibly getting some scratches on it. My original Speedmaster had the plexiglass, and I wore it to work, in a print shop, my hands in and out of machinery. I loved the look it got after a while, and never did polish the crystal.

[Baco Noir]

Congrats on the 673 carl! Based on the specs you posted it sounds like the 372 but with the MM dial instead of OP. The domed crystals on those watches along with the gold hands and sandwich dials do create some beautiful effects.

[carl]

Sept 4, 2018 7:50:45 GMT -6 Baco Noir said:

Congrats on the 673 carl ! Based on the specs you posted it sounds like the 372 but with the MM dial instead of OP. The domed crystals on those watches along with the gold hands and sandwich dials do create some beautiful effects.

Yeah, pretty much the same. Apparently the plexi on the 372 in now changed to sapphire. I do like the MM on the dial. There was a sapphire 372 at the Boutique as well. Not a lot of difference between the two as you say. I thought, though, the Luminor 1950 would be the one I like the least, but liking way more than I thought I would. Maybe it will be my favorite.

[BRIAN]

Huge congrats Carl!! I love the 673.

[Baco Noir]

Sept 4, 2018 10:51:09 GMT -6 carl said:

Sept 4, 2018 7:50:45 GMT -6 Baco Noir said:

Congrats on the 673 carl ! Based on the specs you posted it sounds like the 372 but with the MM dial instead of OP. The domed crystals on those watches along with the gold hands and sandwich dials do create some beautiful effects.

Yeah, pretty much the same. Apparently the plexi on the 372 in now changed to sapphire. I do like the MM on the dial. There was a sapphire 372 at the Boutique as well. Not a lot of difference between the two as you say. I thought, though, the Luminor 1950 would be the one I like the least, but liking way more than I thought I would. Maybe it will be my favorite.

That’s right. I forgot they changed the 372 to sapphire. I like the MM dial for that watch too. Gives it a more historic feel.

[carl]

Sept 4, 2018 13:57:32 GMT -6 Baco Noir said:

Sept 4, 2018 10:51:09 GMT -6 carl said:

Yeah, pretty much the same. Apparently the plexi on the 372 in now changed to sapphire. I do like the MM on the dial. There was a sapphire 372 at the Boutique as well. Not a lot of difference between the two as you say. I thought, though, the Luminor 1950 would be the one I like the least, but liking way more than I thought I would. Maybe it will be my favorite.

That’s right. I forgot they changed the 372 to sapphire. I like the MM dial for that watch too. Gives it a more historic feel.

I really did consider the 372 as well. And I love the Destro! However, the premium for the special edition was not a huge amount more, so I figured I would go for it. All the small details really help to make it unique.

[carl]

Sept 4, 2018 11:04:38 GMT -6 BRIAN said:

Huge congrats Carl!! I love the 673.

Thanks, Brian. After wearing mostly Radiomir, and a slightly smaller 44mm Luminor, I really wondered about this one. After a few days, though, I feel it might become my favorite!