Basic Overview of Panerai’s Entry-Level Models

Panerai has faced plenty of controversy in recent years regarding the real origins of the company and its watches. Panerai is often accused of telling shady stories, re-writing history, and replacing fact with fiction. perezcope.com is a great resource if you like reading about debunking Panerai myths.

Regardless, I still like Panerai watch designs, and I’m certain some fellow WatchCrunchers do too (although there's not much Panerai chatter around here). 

I tried a Luminor Due 38mm when it first came out (see pic above) and I loved it. It was the first time I felt that my small wrist could pull off a Panerai.

For some, the Panerai catalog can be confusing and all the watches start to look the same. So, I’ve put together a super basic guide to Panerai’s current entry-level models, which I hope some of you find useful.

Panerai's Current Collections

Today, there are four collections in Panerai’s current lineup: Radiomir, Luminor, Luminor Due, and Submersible. They all have cushion-shaped cases but slightly different in shape/style depending on the model.

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The Radiomir’s signature design traits are wire lugs, an oversized crown without guards, and a slim bezel. Dial layouts are generally a mix of oversized Arabic numerals and baton markers but there are also some vintage-style California dials.

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The Luminor’s signature design traits are thicker lugs, a protector bridge over the winding crown, and a wider and sloping bezel. Dial layouts are generally a mix of oversized Arabic numerals and baton markers but complications will feature more technical dials and there are also some vintage-style California dials.

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The Luminor Due’s signature design traits are almost identical to the original Luminor but with a much slimmer case and less water resistance. This is Panerai’s dress watch line. Dial layouts are generally a mix of oversized Arabic numerals and baton markers.

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The Submersible’s signature design traits are thicker lugs, a protector bridge over the winding crown, a unidirectional rotating dive bezel, and half-skeletonized hands.  This is Panerai's diving watch line. Dials feature round markers, a baton at 6, and a double baton at 12.  

Panerai Entry-Level Models

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Radiomir Base Logo PAM00753

45mm case, black dial, two-hander, hand-wound Caliber P.6000 movement, 100m water-resistance

MSRP US $4,500

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Luminor Base Logo PAM01086

44mm case, black dial, two-hander, hand-wound Caliber P.6000 movement, 100m water-resistance

MSRP US $5,000

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Luminor Due PAM00755

38mm case, anthracite sun-brushed dial, hour and minute hands, running seconds subdial at 9, date window at 3, automatic Caliber P.900 movement, 30m water-resistance

MSRP US $6,200

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Submersible PAM00973

42mm case, black dial with blue accents, hour and minute hands, running seconds subdial at 9, date window at 3, automatic Caliber P.900 movement, 300m water-resistance

MSRP US $8,900

Who here has a Panerai? Or who wants one in the near future? I do!

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They are not for me, but I do appreciate that they have their own unique design language. You can spot a Panerai immediately. I’m glad they came out with some smaller models to make the brand more accessible to those who like them. 

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I absolutely love Panerai’s designs. They just seem a little out of touch with their pricing..I mean I don’t like to compare brands since price is just a number but there are some high horology choices out there for similar prices. 

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I try not to reward bad corporate behaviour so brands like Panerai, Bremont, Ming, Smiths, etc. are not really on my radar. 

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Thanks for this, I’m definitely in the “confused about the models” camp on this one. 

I’m coming around to the crown guard. I’ve gotten as far as admitting I’d wear one of it were given to me and 42mm or less. I really don’t get the size thing, especially for watches you aren’t taking underwater and are time-only. 

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Thanks, nice and well illustrated review. I hadn’t considered a Radiomir before, but I’ll need to look at one. I like the cushion case and have been thinking about adding some manual winds to my collection. It is big, though, so the Due is also attracting me. I’ll show my wife your first picture. She’s got a similar tennis bracelet and I like the pale green strap you use. 

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Work colleague was wearing one today. Immediately identifiable due to the iconic design. Really stood out beautifully. 

Immediate reaction when I saw the Panerai:

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The Panerai is a considered choice. It’s something that you have to have fully thought through. 

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Big clunky things with an obsolete crown guard to milk the nostalgia angle. They use the worst font in dial numbers going.

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Great guide and write up as usual! I‘ve always been a bit confused by the Panerai line up and your post cleared it up for me.  No wonder you’re a pro.  😀

My skinny 6.5 inch wrist really likes the new smaller Luminor Due cases but come on, only 30M water resistance??? It’s like a guy showing up to prom wearing a tuxedo print T-shirt…

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thekris

Thanks for this, I’m definitely in the “confused about the models” camp on this one. 

I’m coming around to the crown guard. I’ve gotten as far as admitting I’d wear one of it were given to me and 42mm or less. I really don’t get the size thing, especially for watches you aren’t taking underwater and are time-only. 

Most of the sizes are hilarious - apparently, you need some massive guns to wear most Panerai watches 💪 😂

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Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it! For some reason, I've always liked studying Panerai. I think it's because so many of the watches look the same at first glance but then, upon closer inspection, the small variances reveal themselves. 

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HoroMichigan

I absolutely love Panerai’s designs. They just seem a little out of touch with their pricing..I mean I don’t like to compare brands since price is just a number but there are some high horology choices out there for similar prices. 

The good news is that they're much better priced in the gray/secondary market :)

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Thank you, Morgan. You always have kind things to say about my posts and I really appreciate it!

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Robcollects

Thanks, nice and well illustrated review. I hadn’t considered a Radiomir before, but I’ll need to look at one. I like the cushion case and have been thinking about adding some manual winds to my collection. It is big, though, so the Due is also attracting me. I’ll show my wife your first picture. She’s got a similar tennis bracelet and I like the pale green strap you use. 

I like the Radiomir shape too - very vintage looking. I think there's a 42mm version out there (discontinued) - PAM 337, maybe. 

I'd love to see a Radiomir Due with more compact case sizes, who knows, maybe that'll be the next step for Panerai? 

Oh and that mint green Panerai strap is my fave, so unexpected but it works so well with the watch. The lady at the Panerai store almost didn't let me try the watch on because my bracelets might scratch the watch - I had to shove them up my arm before she agreed to put the watch on my wrist 😂

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Davemcc

I try not to reward bad corporate behaviour so brands like Panerai, Bremont, Ming, Smiths, etc. are not really on my radar. 

I totally get where you're coming from. 🤝

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Mr.Dee.Bater

Work colleague was wearing one today. Immediately identifiable due to the iconic design. Really stood out beautifully. 

Immediate reaction when I saw the Panerai:

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The Panerai is a considered choice. It’s something that you have to have fully thought through. 

Hahahahah. I do equate Panerai watches with BMWs - back in the day, I remember people saying that BMW drivers have more sex 😂

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I like Panerai contrary to the opinions out there. The PAM 171 is my favorite and it's chunky but it's awesome! I first noticed it back when Pierce Brosnan (one of my favorite actors) was wearing one in the movie "After the Sunset". I had to have one!

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When I read that article about them on perezcope I got hugely disappointed. I guess all things Italian are somewhat overated when we talk about quality. 

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Jamair23

@thekris I stand at 6'2" and we were literally eye to eye when engaging on set.  I know 6'4" to 6'6" I play with a lot of basketball players.  He jokes that he even wears custom insoles LOL!!! 🤣

So he and Kevin Hart are basically the same height?

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thekris

So he and Kevin Hart are basically the same height?

Bro!!!  I literally laughed out loud 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

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celinesimon

Hahahahah. I do equate Panerai watches with BMWs - back in the day, I remember people saying that BMW drivers have more sex 😂

I used to be a BMW owner.  I can unequivocally dispel that misconception.

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No offense meant, if Paneristi still exist, but I will talk openly as a serious watch collector of 30+ years: I just don't get it...Panerai were most popular back when 55mm watches were the rage for while in the early 21st century. I followed them from their first 'rebirth' when they were trying desperately to place the brand in a high echelon tier next to IWC and others.

As far as I am concerned thay are flat out hideous, with mediocre movements, dodgy quality, and a history totally worth forgetting (and I am not even talking about Mussolini here).....Why even bother when there are dozens of other, better choices out there?

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Mr.Dee.Bater

I used to be a BMW owner.  I can unequivocally dispel that misconception.

I own a BMW - FACTS!!! I get more play with 2000 Toyota Camry SE Winter / Stunt Beater 😭🤣😆

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celinesimon

I totally get it; Panerai watches (in theory, especially given their history) should have better water resistance. 

However, funny enough, the longer I'm in this business, the less concerned I am with things like water resistance, in-house vs. outsourced movements, quartz vs. mechanical, and the like. I'm at the stage where I like great design, good finishing, and solid quality. Plus, I'd never take a Panerai Due to water, so it doesn't really bother me. 

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I was between the Cartier Tank XL and the PAM753.  I’d wanted for the Tank since childhood so I went with it.  Love it. But the Panerai always had (and still has) my attention.  That being said, I am just not in a rush to get one especially at retail.  One day? Perhaps.  But I am waiting until the right PAM comes along and I’ll know when I see it.  Cheers!

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theodore

No offense meant, if Paneristi still exist, but I will talk openly as a serious watch collector of 30+ years: I just don't get it...Panerai were most popular back when 55mm watches were the rage for while in the early 21st century. I followed them from their first 'rebirth' when they were trying desperately to place the brand in a high echelon tier next to IWC and others.

As far as I am concerned thay are flat out hideous, with mediocre movements, dodgy quality, and a history totally worth forgetting (and I am not even talking about Mussolini here).....Why even bother when there are dozens of other, better choices out there?

No offense taken; we all have unique tastes and expectations! 

I bother with Panerai because I like their designs. Clearly, you think otherwise. Different perspectives are part and parcel of any hobby community 🍻

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JNabeel

Can we rename you? Panerai Girl? Joking. Thanks for sharing. 

Last week I was Panerai Girl; the week before, Rolex Girl, and this week, who knows, maybe Cartier Girl 😀

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ds760476

Didn't they have better wr until a couple of years ago?  I think the Base 000 used to be 300m.

Yep, you're right Luminor Base 000 was water-resistant to 300 meters.

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Like your intakes outputs on these watches, Panera watches are nice. I know I won't ever own one. I rather have a Omega. but on mostly everyone here is respectful on others people's choice when it comes to certain watches.

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This is a nice intro @celinesimon! One of my very first "nice"watches was a Panerai 312 which I chose because it was the first to use an in-house movement. I loved the watch and collected many straps along the way. Unfortunately, I think my desire for an in-house movement may have been my downfall and after 2 enormously long trips to Europe for repairs, I had enough and sold it. Many years later and the itch is back but my focus has changed to a much more specific plan to pick out a) a non in-house movement and b) a 2 hand model only Luminor. I want the essential design aesthetic with an easy to service movement and the minimal potential for mechanical problems. I'm narrowing down to a PAM 112 (stainless) or PAM 176 (titanium). I really like the new 914 8 days but I keep reading the super long power reserve movements are not very accurate especially when at maximum energy. Would be interested to hear your thoughts and also where you recommend looking for 20 years old Panerais (other than the usual Watchbox, Watchfinder, Crown & Caliber etc). Cheers!

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kromozome

This is a nice intro @celinesimon! One of my very first "nice"watches was a Panerai 312 which I chose because it was the first to use an in-house movement. I loved the watch and collected many straps along the way. Unfortunately, I think my desire for an in-house movement may have been my downfall and after 2 enormously long trips to Europe for repairs, I had enough and sold it. Many years later and the itch is back but my focus has changed to a much more specific plan to pick out a) a non in-house movement and b) a 2 hand model only Luminor. I want the essential design aesthetic with an easy to service movement and the minimal potential for mechanical problems. I'm narrowing down to a PAM 112 (stainless) or PAM 176 (titanium). I really like the new 914 8 days but I keep reading the super long power reserve movements are not very accurate especially when at maximum energy. Would be interested to hear your thoughts and also where you recommend looking for 20 years old Panerais (other than the usual Watchbox, Watchfinder, Crown & Caliber etc). Cheers!

Thank you for reading! 

I've always been partial to the PAM 112. It's what I think of when I think "Luminor." Fantastic stark sandwich dial with no fussiness. Plus, if you're looking at older watches, I think steel is the better option since (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think titanium scratches easier - or at least, the scratches are more noticeable, in my opinion. 

For older watches, Laurent Martinez is a fantastic guy to work with. He's so passionate about watches and really cares about them. He doesn't have a showy website or huge social media presence like the big guys, but he'll help you out if he can. Shoot him an email (laurent@laurentfinewatches.com ) and tell him I sent you. Good luck!