Panerai has a reputation for high quality watchmaking going all the way back to the day Giovanni Panerai opened his first workshop in Florence in 1860. He also opened the city’s very first watchmaking school, proving his interest in growing the presence of great Italian watchmakers in the industry.

Panerai’s grandson, Guido Panerai, invented a new kind of gun sight using radium in 1915 and extended the company’s relationship with the Royal Italian Navy, the Regia Marina, to became their official supplier for technical equipment and instruments. Between 1935 and 1970, Panerai delivered around 1,600 of their wrist-worn diving instruments and most of them were to the Italian Marina Militare. They would go on to produce a model for the Egyptian Navy in 1956.

Panerai found great success throughout their history of providing watches and instruments to military units before finding more mainstream clientele in the civilian markets of the 1950s.

Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai, noted, “Everything about the look and design of our watches, both in their first iteration back in 1930, but also today, speaks of boldness and innovation. For many, the name has also come to represent a community. Panerai is a brand that has always inspired adventure, daring, and an important historical connection to Italy and the sea.”

Revolution takes a look at the new versatile Panerai Luminor Quaranta Verde Militare.

Panerai Luminor

In 1993, Officine Panerai reissued the legendary Luminor along with the Luminor Marina and Mare Nostrum chronograph in limited runs available to the public. The buzz surrounding these pieces dovetailed into an instant classic cameo on Stallone’s wrist in the action-thriller Daylight. The momentum helped Panerai achieve an investment in 1997 from the Vendome Luxury Group, now known as Richemont Group.

A careful roll-out began in Italy the following year, with a global launch planned for 1999. Two models made worldwide debuts, the Luminor and Luminor Marina, in three different variations. The case sizes of these pieces, all measuring 44 mm or larger, made them unlike any other luxury watch available, lending an unusual appeal that proved self-evident.

In the early 2000s, market demand for big, bold luxury timepieces exploded and Panerai timed their larger releases perfectly. In fact, Panerai is widely considered the first adaptor and the original influencer of the broad cultural trend towards larger sized timepieces. Before the end of the decade, the P.9000 family of movements arrived, providing a strong foundation to bolster and expand the core collections. In 2014, a new manufacturer was inaugurated at Pierre-à-Bot, on the hills of Neuchâtel. It allowed for further research and development, manufacturing, assembly, and quality control, all under one roof.

Exploring New Dimensions

Panerai is broadening the Luminor collection to include a very accessible 40mm case. This makes the watch a better fit for those with smaller wrists or who prefer a smaller timepiece profile but with all the Panerai DNA. The cushion-shaped case is made with AISI 316L brushed steel with a polished bezel, and features the instantly recognizable safety lock crown guard that sets the Luminor design apart.

“The Luminor design has become an iconic shape over time … [the watch] continues to be sleek, functional, and significant to the core characteristics of the brand with every new reference added,” Pontroué says. “It has become a look that is immediately recognizable by those in the know.”

The dial is an iconic Panerai sandwich style that gives depth and interest to the minimal design in a gorgeous military matte green color. It includes lume-filled central hours and minutes hands and an offset small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. There is a balancing date window at 3 o’clock with a colorway that helps it blend well into the overall aesthetic. An oversized 12 and 6 numeral helps to complete the symmetry of the design elements for a well-balanced look.

The Movement

The Luminor Quaranta Verde Militare is powered by the self-winding P.900 movement. It has an impressive three-day power reserve with a single barrel, and the closed case back design achieves a 100 meters water resistance. The Incabloc anti-shock device has a spring-loaded mounting system for the jewel bearings that will protect the balance wheel in the case of a shock.

Finishing Touches

The Luminor Quaranta Verde Militare is paired with a military green alligator strap with coordinated green stitching. The band can be updated easily with a quick-release system, which is a great thing as there is already a green rubber strap available for this model and a slew of new rubber options on their way. With a few different straps in your arsenal, this timepiece could be very versatile for any occasion.

Limited Edition

The Luminor Quaranta Verde Militare is available online only at Panerai.com in a limited edition of 500 pieces. If a modern military inspired watch of a modest size and featuring a remarkable colorway and robust movement is on your wish list, don’t hesitate to add this limited piece to your collection.

Tech Specs

Reference: PAM1304
Case: 40mm in brushed steel with polished bezel
Dial: Military green with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers
Movement: P.900 self-winding movement, 4.2 mm thickness, 72 hours power reserve
Functions: Hour, minutes, small seconds, date
Strap: Alligator Military green, Tone on tone Stitching
Availability: Limited to 500 pieces
Price: USD 7,100