Panerai Luminor Base PAM 560 Showcase Review

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This iconic model is best described by starting from the outside and working our way in to a case dial and crown guard combination that have become modern day immortals in the horology realm.
The Panerai Luminor case since its civilian debut in 1993 has the curious quality of being one of the few design icons that was in fact not self-consciously designed but rather resulted from a need for specific functions. Originating as the reference 6152 during the 1950s, it was originally a commission for the Italian Navy, specifically amphibious combat personnel. The combination of the straight and massive looks, the cushion shaped case, the large highly visible sandwich-style dial, and the iconic lever equipped crescent shaped device protecting the crown dictate that this watch comes from the era in which function dictated form. Because it is not self-consciously styled, it has infinite style and it's endeared itself to a world of Paneraisti fans who still identify this watch as the elemental and essential Panerai.
The watch features a squat case best described as a cushion, all of high polish. It's effectively as tall as it is wide which means that despite it's 44 millimeter dimensions, since 1993 it's been known as the "big watch that wears on almost any wrist." It does have exceptional ergonomics precisely because of it's shape.
The watch features an entirely high polished finish and because of the manufacture caliber P5000, a slimmer profile than previous Panerai Luminor cases. The watch also features the refinement of screws within the lugs, allowing the user to easily and quickly change the strap in the comfort of his own home.
The watch of course is defined by it's crescent shaped crown guard invented and patented by Panerai. It's built around a cam system. Not only does it offer all aspect protection that conventional crowns and crown guards do not, but the lever is impossible to miss when it is drawn so it's very difficult to accidentally drown your watch and jump into the water without securing the crown.
One of the original pieces of design logic that informed this design was that it's hard to use a screw down crown when your hands are wet, gloved, or sweaty as combat personnel frequently experience in the field. Simply drawing the lever and unlocking the crown makes it easier to set the time and wind the watch. It's also completely distinctive and it's one of the reasons why this watch, again, a non-designed design icon is available and visible from across the room. At a glance there's no mistaken this for anything but a Panerai Luminor.
The watch has other refinements that nevertheless blend heritage elements. The sandwich dial is one of them. You can see the depth of the wells of the Arabic numerals and the baton-style indices. A traditional Panerai sandwich dial as equipped since the very first models in the 1930s features a stencil that bears all of the cardinal indications of the dial atop a fully illumed disc that sits beneath. Not only does this glow with brilliance, it also creates an appearance of 3-dimensional depth in low or no light conditions that distinguish a Panerai from any other watch that is in the light or at night. Moreover, the blacked hands at center emphasize only the luminescent strips. This is Panerai design paired down to the minimalist.
It also features the note 8 Days and there's a good reason for that. The combination of the screw-in case back, locking lever, and robust overall construction protect the P5000 caliber 8 days autonomy multiple mainspring barrels. With 300 meters of water resistance, the case dial and movement all executed all in one design vision in Panerai's manufacturer in Neuchatel, Switzerland, which is why the movement is sized correctly to fit the case back. Under it's vast vista, every inch of the simulated 3/4 style bridge pays homage to the past that is Panerai's combat-era use of pocket watch calibers also meeting the standards of refinement that modern luxury buyers expect. The 8 Day power reserve ensures exceptional autonomy but like other aspects of the watch, it's true to history as the Panerai 6152 watches of the 1950s often featured an angelus 8 Day pocket watch movement.
But again, modern refinements shine through in the form of a dual-anchor balance bridge. Anchored at both sides, it's substantially more stable than a single sided can-delivered balanced cock. Moreover it features a free-sprung balance such that there is no mobile index that can accidentally be displaced by a shock on the wrist. It's an exceptionally rugged solution that is also resistant to shock-induced timing deviations.

[@dantan6952]

Great job by Tim Mosso, as per usual. Lume shots would be nice!

[@GovbergJewelersArdmore]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your suggestion! We'll keep that in mind for future reviews :)

[@michaelbishop9157]

I'd be very careful with this watch. The crown guard fell off mine within 6 months of use. Panerai then argued external damage is not covered by their warranty

[@algorithm007ify]

Unless the crown guard was removed by a screwdriver (or was not screwed in properly to begin with), I don't see how this could happen.

[@jeffreytruong8918]

LOL exactly I just got intoa. fight with it not even cracked@@algorithm007ify

[@mikesvend8200]

I already had a lot of watches. Omega mainly, Breitling, Eterna, Rado, Sinn, Seiko, G-Shock and just the PAM000560. Currently I am wearing a Corazon Del Mare from Marcus Finger. Back to the 8 Days.
By far the biggest disappointment with the most expensive clock. Starting with the pin for the strap being screwed crookedly into the horns and the clock going on for 2 minutes a day. So back to Panerai for 4 weeks. So no final check was made. These really wanted for the replacement pen 40 €. Insolence. After protest I did not have to pay. And now after 2 years, water penetrates the manual wind. 2 days after expiry of the warranty. Now let's see if that goes to goodwill. My conclusion: the first and last Panerai!

[@hyperchord]

No constant seconds? Was that part of the original military design? That seems important for military use?

[@nimingwei]

The original military has second hand, like Pam 510 except the movement is different

[@jakubszefka6811]

This one or 112 ? Which one?

[@smiffter97]

112 😉