Panerai Luminor PAM 112: It’s All About The “Base”
Behold Firenze’s icon: the Panerai Luminor PAM 112 is the heart and soul of Panerai. If Omega’s house is built on the Speedmaster Professional, Rolex’s upon the Submariner, and Audemars Piguet is the house that Gerald Genta built, then the Luminor “Base” PAM 112 is the watch that embodies the best of the old “Officine.”
While the Panerai Radiomir may hew closer to the original Panerai combat dive watches, it is the Luminor that captured the imagination of modern watch collectors and spawned a global legion of fanatical “Paneristi.”
The Panerai Luminor Base PAM 112 is the unsullied core identity of the brand. With nothing more than a two-hand “sandwich” dial, torch-like nighttime luminescence, a 44mm steel case, and the legendary “device protecting the crown,” the PAM 112 captures every element that launched the Luminor into the hearts of millions.
From Sylvester Stallone (1995, Rome), countless initiates to the Panerai brand fell in love not with the delicate Radiomir form but instead with the squat ingot of steel launched from military surplus to the civilian market in 1993.
Panerai’s reference 6152 from the 1950s lends its shape to the modern Luminor PAM 112. Almost a perfect square, the 1-to-1 aspect ratio ensures outstanding ergonomics in spite of the Luminor’s burly build. “Steel is real,” say the Paneristi, and this Panerai Luminor Base is rendered in a robust stamping of the sacred alloy.
A black dial offers just the essentials. Two hands, both black-oxidized, trace the arc of time. Due to the matte black base of the dial, only the lumed elements of the hands stand out. A “sandwich” dial hews to the same construction practices pioneered and sustained since the 1930s; a black stencil dial bearing the indices and numerals is superimposed atop a fully-painted luminescent disc. The result is a nighttime spectacle that could give Las Vegas a run for its money.
Inside the Panerai Luminor’s 44mm “dive helmet” of a case, a colossal 16.5 ligne (37mm+) pocket watch movement keeps time — and good faith with tradition. The Panerai combat watches of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s were powered by pocket watch movements from top suppliers, and the practice continues in the PAM 112.
With custom-finished bridges, base plate, wheels, and cobalt-blue screws, this caliber OP X boasts luxury detailing that mud-spattered frogmen of the 1930s could only dream of owning. A robust 56-hour power reserve ensures that winding of this manual caliber is an occasional pleasure, not a constant chore.
Watch our full video review of the Panerai PAM 112 below:
For Paneristi, it’s all about the base, and the Panerai Luminor PAM 112 has steel curves in all the right places.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Panerai Luminor PAM 112
- What movement does the Panerai PAM 112 use?
The PAM 112 is powered by the Panerai OP X movement — a hand-wound caliber with a 56-hour power reserve, based on the reliable ETA 6497-2 platform and custom-finished by Panerai. - Is the Panerai PAM 112 a good entry-level model?
Yes. The PAM 112 is widely considered one of the best entry points into Panerai ownership thanks to its clean “Base” dial, classic Luminor case, and manual-wind heritage. - What is a sandwich dial on the PAM 112?
A sandwich dial is constructed using two layers — a luminescent base layer and a stencil-like top layer with cut-out numerals and indices, creating a glowing 3D effect. - When was the PAM 112 introduced?
The PAM 112 debuted in the early 2000s and quickly gained popularity for its minimalist styling, strong lume, and military-inspired roots tied to Panerai’s historic dive watches. - How big is the Panerai PAM 112?
The case measures 44mm in diameter and features Panerai’s signature Luminor design with the crown-protecting bridge. Despite its size, the case wears comfortably due to its square proportions.