Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso

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

Panerai starts 2021 with a new 42mm Bronzo, a coherent range of new 44mm Luminor Chronos – including one with a flexible and slim stainless bracelet – a well-priced Luna Rossa, and a new Luminor Chrono Monopulsante 8 Giorni GMT.

By Marco Gabella
Chairman & Executive Publisher

At Watches & Wonders 2021, Panerai launched the surprise open-source recycling Submersible eLAB-ID and Luminor Marina eSteel.

But that wasn’t all. Panerai also introduced the crave-worthy Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso and new Luminor Chronos, including a limited-edition Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa and the limited-edition Luminor Chrono Monopulsante 8 Giorni GMT Blu Notte.

And as luck would have it, Watchonista had the chance to sit down with Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué in Geneva for a hands-on demonstration of the novelties.

Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso 42mm (PAM01074)

As many of you can probably relate, Panerai’s 47mm Submersible Bronzo (PAM00968) is not a size my small wrist can accommodate. But with a reduced 42mm diameter, the new Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso (PAM01074) is accessible for pretty much all wrist sizes and will certainly capture the hearts of new and aspiring Paneristis.
 

The intense matte blue dial is a perfect match for the full-bronze case, bezel, and Safety Lock crown protection device. The case’s satin-finish also complements the subtle beige Super-LumiNova on the dot and indices. And to further raise the elegance-quotient, the sporty but chic blue suede strap features ecru stitching.
 

Limited to 1,000 pieces per year, the new Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso is likely to be a must-have this summer. Perhaps some Panerai purists will complain about one aspect or another, but to be honest, I’m not factoring them into my prediction. For me, the Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso evinces the high standards I have come to expect from Panerai.
 

Equipped with the manufacture automatic P.900 movement, the Panerai Bronzo Blu Abisso (PAM01074) is available exclusively in Panerai boutiques for $15,900 (CHF 15,700).

Panerai Luminor Chrono 44mm (PAM01109, PAM01218, & PAM01110)

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).
 

Panerai Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa 44mm (PAM01303)

In 2019, Panerai introduced the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono Flyback 44mm (PAM01037), the first piece dedicated to its partnership with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. This year, Panerai unveiled the highly desirable limited-edition Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa.
 

Like the Luminor Chrono PAM0110, this piece also features a hypnotic blue dial with satiné soleil finishing. But unlike the PAM0110, subtle details like the red-tipped chronograph seconds and minutes hands – the color of the Luna Rossa team – reinforce this model’s racing spirit. And its blue and red fabric strap with a rubber structure includes the Luna Rossa logo. As chic as it is practical, the Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa goes easily with a blazer or a Polo whether you’re at a bar or on the sea.
 

Powered by the automatic chronograph caliber P.9200 and limited to 1,000 pieces, the Luminor Chrono Luna Rossa (PAM01303) is sure to be a stunner. Available now for $9,400 (CHF 9,200), it is a true limited edition. So get your order in before I do!
 

Panerai Luminor Chrono Monopulsante 8 Giorni GMT Blu Notte 44mm (PAM01135)

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)

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