Review: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo PAM 671

Panerai releases yet another Bronzo. The Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo – 47mm (PAM00671), also known as the blue dial Bronzo. The practice of milking the cash cow is not any foreign, but is very likely to come at the dismay of early brand supporters, especially owners of the green dial Bronzos. The watch is identical to its predecessors apart from the new dial color and perhaps a dwindling demand as compared to the first two iterations. 

The new Panerai Pam 671 with a rich blue dial and matching patina lume color markers.

The Case

The watch is cased in bronze, a unique metal that is arguably popularized by Panerai just a few years back. The case measures 47 mm in diameter, a hefty size for most, and wears even larger with its iconic crown guard. Panerai’s bronze concoction is an alloy of copper and pure tin, which is highly resistant to the corrosive action of sea water and atmospheric agents. Contrary to popular belief, Bronze is in fact a highly corrosion resistant material. The ‘taint’ or darkening layer that it gains over time is a result of oxidation. This layer actually protects the material, and prevents corrosion. This phenomenon occurs naturally and stalls rusting, unlike steel, which can rust till the entire material block disintegrates. This natural ‘taint’, a result of oxidation and aging, is commonly known to watch lovers as patina, when present on watch cases, gives the watch a vintage, rustic feel.

Panerai’s trademark crown guard makes the watch instantly recognizable.

Contrastingly, the caseback and buckle are in titanium. Titanium was a deliberate choice for the parts where the watch touches the wearer’s skin, This could be meant to reduce the direct interaction of the skin and the case, which may have undesirable effects of the lingering metal ‘scent’ on the wrist, or possible skin irritations for some.

The Dial

The dial is fashioned the same as its predecessor, with a seconds subdial at 9 and a date display at 3. The hour markers and hands uses variants of the ultra bright superluminova, and delivers maximum visibility for the reader under low light conditions. While less rugged than the earlier green dial models, which alluded to military inflections, the blue dial is more demure and a blend in between pure ruggedness and luxury. That said, while the blue dial is attractive, it does not have the same character as the green dial bronzo; in fact this color change seems a whole lot more cosmetic.

The 47 mm timepiece comes fit with a brown strap and titanium buckle.

The Movement

The Panerai PAM 671 uses a P.9010 caliber, a self-winding movement with central hour and minute hands and a small seconds at 9 o’clock. The in-house movement beats at 28,800 vph and has a 72 hour power reserve, with the source of its power from a double barrel assembly. The finishing of the movement is basic, fitting its price point. In the P.9010 calibre the hours can be conveniently adjusted without interfering with the movement of the minute hand, similar to the Rolex GMT master. The hour hands can be adjusted in jumps of one hour forward or backwards. This function is very useful when changing time zones or adjustments for daylight savings.

A see-through caseback reveals the P.9010 movement, a 3-day power reserve automatic in-house caliber.

The watch may appeal to those who missed the boat with the first two Bronzos, but will certainly sit disconcertingly with the owners of the earlier models, who paid high premiums in the secondary market for a piece of the limited edition(s). The PAM 671 is a limited edition of 1,000 units and it is priced at US$14,400.

The Panerai PAM 671 on the wrist.

PAM00671

MOVEMENT Automatic mechanical, P.9010 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai.

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, calculation of immersion time.

CASE 47 mm, brushed bronze.

DIAL Blue with applied luminous hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock.

POWER RESERVE 72h.

WATER-RESISTANCE 30 bar (~300 metres).