Having already written about my favourite new piece from Officine Panerai’s Replica Watches & Wonders 2014 launches, today’s post is about another piece that grabbed my attention, the PM587 limited edition (1000 pieces) Marina Militare Acciaio, in a 47mm Radiomir 1940 case. For those who don’t know, the Radiomir 1940 cases with their solid lugs represent a significant part of Panerai’s history, the period between the Radiomir and the Luminor cases.
The PAM587 is an homage to the original Marina Militare Ref. 6152/1. At 47mm with a sandwich dial, in a further commendable historical nod, it uses Plexiglas and not sapphire crystal. There is also a spare Plexiglas in the box. Visible through the open caseback is the Panerai manual-wind Calibre P.3000 that is in other 1940 models, with a three day power reserve. Of particular note is that the hour hand can be indepedently set, which makes time changes a lot quicker.
The design bears marked similarities to that of the incredibly popular PAM372 but with longer sharper hands, and most importantly, the ‘MARINA MILITARE’ designation on the dial, the first time this has been permitted to be used since the original model. Straps being of vital importance when it comes to Panerai, the PAM587 comes on a vintage-looking brown leather strap with ecru stitching that matches the colours of the dial indices, and hot-stamped with the “OP” logo.
With every model that is either an homage or a nod to a historical model inevitably bearing the brunt of Paneristi scrutiny, to my admittedly rather personal mind at least, this is a very good looking modern interpretation of the original Marina Militare that may possibly appeal to those who liked the PAM 372 but not Luminors, but also to those who like the 1940 case and are looking for something with a strong historical identity. If you have been thinking about adding a Radiomir to your Panerai collection, this one is worth seriously considering. Pricing is HKD77,500, EUR 7,900.
[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2014 at the invitation of Richemont Australia]