First Impressions: In The Metal With The New Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso And Luminor Chronos

Another welcome surprise of the 2021 Panerai novelties was the new line of Luminor Chronos. Available in 3 different versions, these 44mm stainless-steel chronographs offer a remarkably balanced design. For example, the pushers at 10 o’clock and 8 o’clock maintain an equilibrium with the signature Safety Lock crown protection device opposite them between 2 and 4 o’clock.

The dial is also extremely well proportionate and clean looking, with only two sub-dials bisecting the watch horizontally and oversized 12 and 6 Arabic numerals cutting it in half verticality. Plus, the discreet yet readable tachymeter helps lessen the “noise.”
 

Two versions of the new Luminor Chrono – the PAM01109 and PAM01218 – are available on a black alligator leather strap. The Luminor Chrono PAM01109 features a black sandwich dial with a matte finish and white Super-LumiNova-coated numerals and indices, In contrast, the PAM01218 has a white sandwich dial with a matte finish and features anthracite numerals and indices.

Additionally, both have green luminescence. The central chronograph seconds hand and minutes counter hand are also easy to identify on both models by their discreet but luminous blue hue.
 

However, the great innovation of the new Luminor Chronos is the stainless-steel bracelet on the PAM0110. With its hypnotic blue satiné soleil-finished dial, light dances across the deep blue visage of the PAM01110. It feels like having a small miracle on your wrist.
 

And while the dial’s beauty is obvious, the extreme flexibility and articulation of the new stainless-steel bracelet is a major factor in the PAM0110’s notable comfort on the wrist. Inspired by the Panerai Safety Lock system, the brushed and polished AISI 316L steel bracelet links offer a suppleness rarely found in a bracelet as well as a finesse never seen before by Panerai.

Perfectly wearable and surprisingly light the new stainless-steel bracelet is probably one of the best on the market. And to be honest, I couldn’t stop playing with it like you would with a mesh bracelet.
 

Powered by the new automatic chronograph caliber P.9200 with a 42-hour power reserve, all three Luminor Chrono models will be available in July. The Luminor Chrono PAM01109 and PAM01218 will both retail for $9,200 (CHF 9,000). The Panerai Luminor Chrono PAM0110 will retail for $10,000 (CHF 9,900).
 

Last but not least is the new 44mm Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante GMT Blu Notte. We have not yet had the chance to discover this piece in the metal, but it is definitely one we look forward to seeing soon.
 

The combination of a black sandblasted ceramic case and a midnight blue soleil dial make it seem like the Luminor Chrono Monopulsante 8 Giorni GMT Blu Notte came from the depths of the ocean. And equipped with the hand-wound chronograph caliber P.2004 movement with a GMT function and eight-day power reserve, this limited-edition piece features a linear power reserve indicator, a 24-hour counter with am/pm indicator, and GMT hands.
 

Limited to 200 pieces, the Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante 8 Giorni GMT Blu Notte (PAM01135) will be available for $22,500 (CHF 22,400).

(Photography by Pierre Vogel)