Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 features some styling elements from the 1956 Egyptian Navy issue watch, albeit in this instance the Panerai has a smaller case and a modern, cutting-edge movement.
This detailed review of the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Once the razzmatazz has been set aside, some products reveal a lack of substance. Indeed, some goods and services confer little benefit, throwing into doubt the justification for offering them in the first place.
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 is an honest timepiece. It is a true diver’s tool and its merits justifies its creation. There is no smokescreen, this is an ideal watch for ocean explorers, courtesy of its maximum water resistance of 300metres and hewn from granite robustness.
Part of the allure of this Panerai is that it takes inspiration from the brand’s back catalogue. In 1956, Panerai developed a watch for the Egyptian Navy. The watch was powered by an 8-day Angelus movement and featured a small seconds display at 9 o’clock. The timepiece could be ‘distinguished by its rotating bezel with reference markers at 5-minute intervals, and an oversized case, 60mm in diameter’.
The dial
The hands are partly open-worked and partly lined with luminescent fill. Interestingly, the hour hand has a green emission in darkness while the minute hand evinces a blue hue in restricted light. This combination of colours augments ease of read off during nocturnal hours or when diving in deep water. The indexes are a combination of luminescent dots and contemporary-styled Arabic numerals.
At first glance, the watch appears to have a central sweep seconds hand, however, this is not the case. Indeed, this is a chronograph, featuring a centrally positioned blue chronograph seconds hand with a separate hand beneath. This latter hand is a silver coloured chronograph minute hand. By adopting this approach, the watch eschews the customary two or three subdials, bestowing a cleaner aesthetic as a result. The only subdial is a small seconds display residing at 9 o’clock, similar to the aforementioned 1956 Egyptian Navy watch. At 3 o’clock is a date display, employing white text on a black background.
Incidentally, the similarly styled PAM00615 has two subdials, including a chronograph hour register at 3 o’clock which supplants the date display. While this model proffers symmetry, I still prefer the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 for its exceptionally clean dial layout.
The black dial canvas provides the perfect foil for the various indications shown. Occupying the periphery of the dial are crisp markings in a muted grey. While the grey is subtle, I suspect white markings might be better as they would stand out more noticeably. Nevertheless, this is only a minor criticism and certainly would not be sufficient to dissuade me from purchasing a PAM00614.
The case
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 is a substantial timepiece, measuring 47mm in diameter. As the name implies the case is made of titanium, proffering two benefits. Firstly, titanium is hypoallergenic and secondly, while this is not a light watch, it does have a lower mass than if stainless steel had been used.
The bezel is unidirectional and is used for calculating the immersion time when diving. However, the bezel, marked with 5-minute intervals, is also useful for a variety of tasks on terra firma. On the right hand flank of the case there is the iconic crown protection device which is much loved by legions of ‘Paneristi’.
On the left side of the case are two pushpieces. The upper pushpiece at 10 o’clock starts / stops the chronograph while the pushpiece at 8 o’clock is used to reset the chronograph hands. However, this is not just a standard chronograph but a flyback. When the stopwatch function is running, the wearer can press the push piece at 8 o’clock and the hands will stop, reset and restart in one process. This function, sometimes called ‘retour en vol’, is ideal for timing successive events.
Upholding the tradition for divers’ watches, the case-back is solid. This is likely to appeal to purists but may well frustrate horophiles eager to see the column-wheel movement in all its naked glory.
The strap is formed of rubber with a ridged motif, it sports a bright blue OP logo and is paired with a titanium pin buckle.
The movement
The self-winding, P.9100 is ‘the first automatic chronograph calibre developed and made in the Panerai manufacture in Neuchátel’. It features twin barrels which collaborate to deliver the impressive 72 hour power reserve. The chronograph is fully integrated, featuring a column wheel with a vertical clutch.
In use, the vertical clutch offers a better experience than a horizontal coupling. It delivers a wobble free motion when actuated, stopped or reset. Sadly, vertical clutch and column wheel systems are more challenging to realise, a fact reflected in the price. However, pressing the push-pieces justifies any additional expense, courtesy of the extremely smooth push-piece experience.
The open-worked oscillating mass is bi-directional, harnessing every subtle movement of the wearer’s wrist and, in so doing, efficiently energising the spring barrels.
Closing remarks
The original 1956 Egyptian Navy Panerai measured a colossal 60mm in diameter, whereas this watch is much smaller, measuring 47mm. Nevertheless, this remains a very large timepiece. On a personal level, I found the watch afforded a cosseting marriage with my wrist, albeit I concede I am blessed with leviathan-like arms. Ultimately, there is no substitute for trying on the watch for yourself and seeing whether it grants an agreeable union.
The decision of Panerai to eschew the usual sub-dial type chronograph registers is a stroke of genius. By equipping the watch with centrally located chronograph seconds and chronograph minute hands, the dial exhibits a very clean and uncluttered appearance. Furthermore, the clever use of luminescent treatment with the hour and minute hands emitting different colours is inspired.
I accept that Panerai has chosen to uphold the historical approach to designing divers’ watches, namely equipping the timepiece with a solid case-back. However, there is part of me that wishes to see the excellent P.9100 calibre via an exhibition case-back.
Finally, some watches masquerade as something they are not. Some so-called divers’ watches have a paltry resistance to water and would be unable to sate the needs of an adventurous diver, but the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614 is the ‘real deal’. It has an impressive water resistance of 300 metres and it grants the wearer a lucid dial which has relevance whether below the water of firmly on land.
Technical Specification
- Model: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback PAM 614
- Reference: PAM00614
- Case: Titanuim; diameter 47 mm; water resistant to 30 bar (300 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; date; chronograph.
- Movement: P.9100 Calibre, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 37 jewels; power reserve 72 hours; 302 components .
- Strap: Black rubber strap with titanium pin buckle. Spare strap supplied with special tool for changing the strap
- Price: £12,450 (RRP as at 4.3.2017)
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