Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio

This release from Panerai is the new entry level watch into the Luminor series. Officially called the Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio, this watch is fitted with the new line of in house movements from Panerai – the P.5000 series. Panerai’s aim is to make all of their movements in house by the year 2017.

These movements are 100% made in the Panerai workshops, hence giving Panerai complete control over the quality of the movements. Though this watch is, in fact, smaller than its predecessors with a case dimension of 44mm (versus 47mm for the older models), the movement still carries about 15 ¾ lignes in diameter. It is a known fact that Panerai makes large watches so it naturally follows that the movements fitted into these timepieces should also be large.

The P.5000 boasts a power reserve that is 8 days in duration but unlike the models before, the Base 8 Days Acciaio doesn’t feature a power reserve indicator. This long power reserve is accomplished through the usage of twin barrels. This 127 part movement is hand wound but with an 8 day power reserve hardly seems of consequence. Lastly, the manual mechanical movement features a Parechoc anti-shock protection system to protect the movement from everyday impacts, which can damage the movement.

The case of this gent’s watch is completely made from AISI 316L stainless steel, which is completely polished for a dressy aesthetic. As with all Panerai watches, there is the patented crown protection system which enables the water resistance of 300 meters or 30 bars.

Over the dial is a crystal made from Corundum (sapphire), which is a relatively immense 2.5mm. This crystal is also made glare proofed for perfect legibility. Also in sapphire crystal is the case back which allows the wearer to view and admire this in house movement. Panerai fits a leather strap onto these watches and also includes a second interchangeable strap and a steel screwdriver to facilitate the change.