Panerai Luminor Base Model

It all about the dial. Most people who buy a mechanical watch, want one with a second hand. The nearly smooth motion of the second hand, which "ticks" at 6 to 8 times per second, creating the illusion of a smooth motion lets anyone who sees the watch now that it has a fine mechanical movement inside, rather than a cheap quartz movement. To many a Paneristi, the base model is the way to go.

What is a base model Panerai? A base model Panerai is one without a second hand. It displays on its face only hours and minutes, without displaying the seconds, date or any other measure of time on its face. Historically, the original Panerai's used by the Italian Navy were all base models. After the war, Panerai's with Rolex movements inside were base model watches, while those with Angelus movements, mainly produced for the Egyptian Navy, had a date. Those who want something as close to the classic wartime Italian Navy Panerai would want a base model.

Its all in the dial. The main reason the base model is popular among the Paneristi is the clean face. The clean dial with the prominent 3-6-9-12 indices are considered by many, present company included, to be the most attractive feature of the watch. Putting a second hand on the dial in the traditional Panerai way means putting a sub-dial to replace the "9" on the dial (although newer models now have the "9" and the second hand side-by-side). A date eliminates the "3" on the dial. In the end whether the base model it for you, is a matter of subjective preference.

Current base models. Panerai Luminor base model is a divers watch rated for up to 300 meters water resistance and has a manually wound mechanical movement inside. A testament to the popularity of the Panerai Luminor base model is the fact that it is the model which has the most complete collection in the Panerai line-up. This needs some explanation.  

The most traditional of the Panerai Luminor base models in the PAM0000.

PAM 000

It is a "no-frills" model with the indexes painted on the dial and a solid case back. Something desired by many is what is known as the "Pancake" dial. With the PAM 000 the 3-6-9-12 indices and the sticks are painted onto a flat surface. With the PAM00112 the dial is actually has two layers, with the 3-6-9-12 indices and the sticks being cut-outs on the top most layer.

Notice the recessed indexes on the PAM 112.

Instead of the solid case back on the PAM 000, with the PAM 112, you have a clear case back displaying the manual winding movement inside.

Clear case back on the PAM 112

Sharing the pancake dial and clear case back of the PAM 112, but with a white arabic dial is the PAM00114. 

PAM 114

Another variant is the PAM00176. The PAM 176 also shares the same features as the PAM 112, but it comes encased in a lightweight titanium case.

 PAM 176

Finally, there is the PAM00219. This is a left handed model otherwise identical to the PAM 112, which for some reason I have not been able to figure out are referred to as a "Destro" model.

PAM 219

The base model variant of the Panerai Luminor is the one Panerai model which is currently available in all iterations. If the base model smiles at you, Panerai has made sure that you can get it in any configuration you want. The only thing really missing is a PVD or black ceramic model. Finding one for sale behind the glass case of a authorized distributor is a very different matter. Finding even just one of these sitting behind a distributors glass case is a very different matter. Panerai watches are in great demand, and often times you buy what they have on stock.

About Panerai. Officine Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence, Italy by Giovani Panerai. Panerai was acquired over by Swiss watchmaker Richemont S. A. in 1997.