Continuing its evolution from military watchmaker to one with a broader and civilian repertoire, Panerai introduces the Luminor Goldtech Calendario Perpetuo PAM01269.

A variant of the minimalist Luminor perpetual calendar first unveiled last year, the PAM1269 has a dial made of tinted sapphire that reveals the concentric calendar discs underneath. And like many recent Panerai limited editions, the PAM 1269 is accompanied by an “experience”, in this case a trip to Florence (plus an NFT).

The reverse of the watch includes the year and month displays, along with the power reserve indicator

Initial thoughts

If I were to just skim through the new watch releases of the year, I would have missed this Panerai because at a distance, it looks like any other Panerai. But it is more than that.

Apart from being just a smartly conceived perpetual calendar, the watch includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Florence curated by Panerai. Given Panerai’s historical connections to Florence and its status as a leading luxury watchmaker, I imagine the trip would be filled with experiences impossible to obtain otherwise.

The dial is open-worked yet highly legible

Putting the trip aside, the watch itself is a marvel of clarity – a lot of information is displayed on the front and back in a manner as minimal as possible. The comprehensive display includes a second time zone and four-digit year indicator.

Notably, the indicators on the front are also linear – everything is contained on a horizontal axis from nine to three o’clock, giving it a clean, balanced aesthetic.

The PAM1269 costs twice as much as last year’s perpetual calendar in gold, a disparity that’s primarily due to the Florence trip, although the fact that last year’s model sold out easily no doubt contributed to the higher price.

Concentric rings

The sapphire dial displays the inner workings of the calendar, revealing the twin discs for the day and date display that are framed in gold. All of the hour markers are applied, and naturally executed in the traditional Panerai style with Arabic numerals at the quarters and batons in between.

The seconds register at nine has a frosted, matte finish that contrasts against the shiny sapphire dial

Retaining the trademark Luminor form of a round bezel on a square case with a crown locking mechanism, the 44 mm case is Goldtech, an 18k gold alloy that includes platinum. 

Within is the automatic P.4100 that runs on energy stored in the two barrels wound by a 22k micro-rotor. The movement beats at 4 Hz and has a three-day power reserve.

The three-quarter plate of the movement includes displays for the month, year, leap year, and power reserve, which helps explain the concise dial on the front.

Each owner of the 33 examples of the PAM1269 will be invited to visit Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. It will be a trip through the brand’s heritage – Panerai was founded in the city – and also an immersive experience of the city’s food, culture, and history.

The trip will include an NFT that includes information about the trip as well as other perks after the trip.

Key Facts and Prices

Panerai Luminor Goldtech Calendario Perpetuo
Ref. PAM01269

Diameter: 44 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: 18k gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: P.4100
Functions: Hours, minutes, zero-reset hack seconds, GMT, day-night indicator, and perpetual calendar
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: Three days

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle

Limited edition: 33 pieces, each including a trip to Florence and associated NFT
Availability: Only at Panerai boutiques
Price: €78,000 including taxes

For more information, visit panerai.com.