An Iconic Military Watch Just Got a Rugged and Lightweight Makeover

Panerai’s Luminor is one of the most iconic watches around.

Only available to the general public beginning in the 1990s, Panerai’s oversized, deep-diving tool watches actually trace their roots much further back. The brand began outfitting Italian Navy divers with waterproof timepieces as early as 1935, and the first Luminor dive watch — complete with its signature crown-protecting device — debuted in the 1960s.

Panerai has released countless variations on its flagship Luminor since then, and now the brand has created a version unlike any before it — and it might just be the most wearable Luminor ever.

Panerai

Panerai Luminor Quaranta Carbotech

• $13,300 at Panerai

40mm in Carbotech? Take My Money

Panerai’s latest incarnation of the Luminor is the Quaranta Carbotech. The Quaranta is Panerai’s line of 40-mm Luminors, which were already a godsend for the smaller-wristed among us.

The Luminor’s blocky case design, with its extended crown protector, wears quite large. And with most examples of the watch clocking in at 44mm (or even larger), the Quaranta — the smallest Luminor available — is really the only wearable version for a lot of people.

Now, for the first time, Panerai has created a Luminor Quaranta with a case made from its Carbotech material. Carbotech is Panerai’s proprietary carbon-fiber composite and is 80 percent lighter than steel, 73 percent lighter than ceramic and 64 percent lighter than titanium.

Panerai

The use of Carbotech here does two things. First, the material’s extreme lightness combined with the 40-mm case of the Quaranta make this the smallest and lightest Luminor available. In other words, it’s perhaps the most wearable and comfortable men’s watch Panerai has ever made, at least if you’re after that iconic Luminor look.

Secondly, its rugged appearance gives a militaristic makeover to the Luminor Quaranta that connects the watch to its war-forged roots. The black Carbotech case is paired with an olive-green dial in the Luminor’s classic sandwich style, and as is typical for Panerai, it’s loaded with lume — ultra-bright Super-LumiNova X1 in this case.

An olive-green rubber strap adds to the watch’s special-ops aesthetic, while an included brown calf-leather strap is meant to tie the watch directly to the very first Luminors of the ’60s. Both straps feature Panerai’s PAM Click Release System for easy strap changes, a rare feature for a Luminor Quaranta.

Panerai

The watch also marks a new high point in performance for the Quaranta line with its water resistance. While other Luminor Quarantas are water resistant to just 100m, the Carbotech version triples that spec to 300m, giving it the robust tool-watch capability to match its looks.

Finally, the new Panerai is powered by the brand’s in-house P.900 automatic movement, which sports a blacked-out finish and is visible through a sapphire window on the titanium caseback. The movement boasts a three-day power reserve and beats at 28,800 bph.

Pricing and Availability

The combination of the watch’s extreme wearability, tactical looks and highly useful bonus features (the added water resistance and quick-change strap system) make this low-key release one of the most exciting new Panerais in recent memory. I wouldn’t be surprised if this actually went on to become something of a cult favorite.

The watch is non-limited, but it’s only available at Panerai boutiques, including the brand’s e-boutique. It’s priced at $13,300, which is several thousand more than any other Luminor Quaranta save for the solid gold GMT version, which costs nearly twice as much.

It’s a hefty price, but if you’ve got the budget and are in the market for a Panerai, this might be the one to get.

Panerai

Panerai Luminor Quaranta Carbotech

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Panerai Cal. P.900 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $13,300 at Panerai

Related Topics