Having a functioning watch is one thing—but having one that doubles as a conversation piece? You won’t find many; the best watches sacrifice one for the other. Not for the Panerai Luminor Marina, however. Not only functioning, but a piece of Italian history given incredible water resistance—provided you’ve got the cash to spend.
Why We Like It – Panerai Luminor Marina Review
Luxury, functionality, and style—these three marks are what define the Panerai Luminor Marina; if you can afford it, you’ll always have a conversation piece with you.
- Beautifully designed
- Comfortable leather strap
- Water resistant at depths of 100 meters (328 feet)
- Unattainable by most people
- Automatic watch movement, not quartz
Performance
Being able to read the sandwich dial of the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00441 at any point in the day was a godsend. Two hands, minute and hour, tick on and on in the middle. Small seconds, however, are moved to the left side of the case, and the right side has a date dial. As accurate as the PAM00441—and it’s one of the most accurate automatic watches available—it lacks a quartz movement, like the Fossil FS5241.
The power reserve is superb, running for three days before you even need to think about winding it. That kind of top-notch performance also extends to its water resistance, capable of withstanding depths of 100 meters!
Related: Read our Letsfit Fitness Tracker Smart Watch review if you want a versatile smartwatch
Design
If you give the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00441 a long look, it might give you a sense that it’s older than it is. That was intentional. The PAM00441 (and other Panerai watches in this line) is designed after the 1950 cases of the underwater commandos of the Italian Navy. You can see the signature design choice with the crown guard along the side. It’s an incredibly beautiful watch, and certainly gives off an air of luxury. The leather strap greatly compliments the dark tones of the case, and is quite comfortable—just make sure to wear it as often as possible to loosen the leather.
Value
The biggest issue we faced with the Panerai Luminor Marina was value. Does the overall performance and design justify the price? No, not if you’re aiming for practicality. Its price is just too expensive to be unattainable by most people. Better for pound value would have to be a Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Smartwatch With Bluetooth. Or, better yet, a Timex Easy Reader if you have trouble reading small print, a feature covered in our Time Easy Reader Review.
But for luxury? The Panerai Luminor Marina is all about luxury. Panerai is no slouch when it comes to high quality watches and craftsmanship. And we can certainly agree there’s value there, if you’ve got the money.
Related: Check out our Casio Mens Classic Quartz Watch with Resin Strap review
Panerai Luminor Marina Review Wrap Up
While pricing is beyond the average person’s reach, the Panerai Luminor Marina, in return, offers luxury. Its beautiful casing fashioned after underwater commandos of the Italian Navy is incredible, and the comfortable leather strap is an excellent companion. It can even withstand depths of 100 meters. For those with nearly $10,000, you won’t be disappointed.
