Description
Introduced in 1993, the Luminor paid tribute to the original models from Officine Panerai – then known as G. Panerai & Figlio – that had debuted over 50 years earlier. In those early days, Panerai’s iconic designs were driven by the practical, utilitarian needs of the Italian Navy’s special forces commandos. A bright, long-lasting lumination for underwater viewing, excellent water resistance, and of course, the unique crown-protecting device that makes Panerai watches unmistakable, even at a distance. Bringing these pragmatic design elements into a modern watch and making it available to the public, Panerai set the stage for the success and renown it enjoys today.
What sets this watch apart is Panerai’s incredible 10-day power reserve P2003 in-house movement. In addition to powering the flat black Luminor hands, the hand-wound GMT movement also drives a linear reserve indicator and small seconds complication. Built with a 44mm stainless steel case, the Luminor 1950 features classic styling and components. A polished steel bezel surrounds the domed sapphire crystal which provides readability at any angle while the Luminor application (from which the original model derived its name) lights up the indices, numerals, and hands with unparalleled brightness. The piece is accented by a dark brown, Austrian made leather strap and finished by Panerai’s signature heavy-duty buckle. Number 5 of just 500 pieces, the PAM533 is truly a special watch.
