Looking back at the company’s history, it quickly becomes clear that Replica Panerai is a thoroughly male brand. Radiomir and Luminor, the two icons, were originally created for Italian combat divers. Their exclusive military use lasted until the end of the Cold War. Even after the Panerai renaissance in 1997 under the wing of the Richemont Group, the stronger sex was in the foreground. With a case diameter of 47 millimeters, that was no surprise. Although divers have a view of the moon phases, which have a strong influence on them, due to the tides (see here in the watch cosmos), Panerai did not offer a wristwatch with a moon phase indication until 2018 and the L’Astronomo reference PAM00920 presented at the SIHH.
Panerai is now making the issue of equality much more important. Women can be enthusiastic about Ms. Luna. On the other hand, the case diameter is noticeably smaller. In the case of the brand new Luminor Due Luna, it is even 38 millimeters. In the 1980s, this would have been an accepted men’s size. Hedonists now appreciate a more striking watch appearance on their wrist. In this sense, you can basically speak of a unisex model. But Panerai is deliberately putting the fair femininity in the foreground with this new release.
This is particularly evident in the reference PAM01181 with mother-of-pearl dial and crocodile strap. Its price is a non-binding 20,800 euros, making it the most expensive of the currently available moon phase quartet. The price is also due to the not particularly light goldtech display case back. This material with a very warm color tone is an alloy of platinum and copper.
The automatic caliber P.900/MP drives the hands for hours, minutes and (small at “9”) seconds as well as the 59-tooth moon disk made of solid gold. The base P.900 is very similar to the Baumatic 13-1975. However, in this case the power reserve is three days. There is currently no stop-seconds function. But Panerai would like to have this shortcoming remedied as soon as possible.
Panerai Luminor Due Luna reference PAM01179. The protruding pressure bar was once intended to remind marine divers to close the crown properly
Panerai supplies the three other references PAM01179, PAM01180 and PAM 01301 with steel cases. The differences are in the dial color and in the strap. PAM011xx is available for 9,700 euros with alligator leather and a pin buckle. A steel link strap with a folding clasp is included with the PAM01301 for 10,100 euros. In contrast to the Goldtech version, Panerai has dispensed with a transparent case back on the steel case. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine whether this is for cost reasons or for some other reason.
In any case, regardless of whether they purchase their Panerai Luminor Due Luna from a dealer or in a brand boutique, buyers receive a reassuring eight-year guarantee after product registration.