Panerai LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days: The Future of Panerai

We know the past and the present of Panerai so well, yet by revealing the LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Angelo Bonati, the brands illustrious CEO, shows us part of the future of the brand. This was long awaited by watch connoisseurs in general, and Paneristi especially, and they will not be disappointed. For this new model, Panerai stayed very close to its own DNA and put the focus on technical improvements that could benefit the majority of all Panerai watches in a very near future.

The 49mm case is made from Carbotech, thin layers of carbon that are put under very high pressure, at a controlled temperature, together with an organic polymer. The result is a hypoallergenic case, which is lighter and more stress resistant than ceramic and titanium. While this application of carbon was actually introduced into the watch industry previously by Panerai, the LAB-ID also uses carbon on the dial. Here carbon nanotubes absorb nearly all the light, making the dial almost blacker than black, but more importantly eliminate practically all reflections. Since you cannot print on this type of dial the text on the dial is placed on the inside of the sapphire crystal. Although the watch features Panerai’s signature sandwich dial, the blue-coloured Super-LumiNova used in the LAB-ID might surprise some fans. Although it offers a nice contrast with the Carbotech case and black dial, it also signals that this is a Panerai of the future.

Under The Hood

Most exciting news can be found under the hood. Here we find the new caliber P.3001/C in which Panerai incorporated various innovations. As a result, the movement has only four jewels and needs no lubrication. Even the interval between services is expanded to 50(!) years. This is not a typo, and Panerai puts its money where its mouth is because they even guarantee it. They achieve this by fitting the watch with an escapement made from silicon with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating on the wheels and making the main plate and the bridges out of a low friction composite. The two mainspring barrels, as well as the four jewels, also receive a special coating eliminating the need for lubrication there as well. As modest at this innovations may sound, they are ground-breaking, and it can greatly benefit future generations of Panerai’s.

Although highly innovative, the Panerai LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days is no prototype, but a limited edition of 50 pieces.

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