[imagesource: Panerai]

They say that gifting a watch is, in some ways, even more personal than jewellery.

Watches, if they’re expertly made, can be the ultimate investment.

If you’re the type of person who prefers a little function with your form, or a collector looking to update your collection, you can spend more than you would on a mansion for a Bugatti Watch.

Not keen?

Then maybe Forbes can interest you in the 70th-anniversary additions to the Panerai collection.

[All of the watches are] cased in materials newly developed by Panerai – there is not a steel watch among them. The new models collectively celebrate the Luminor’s three defining characteristics: illuminated dials to make them visible underwater, which were originally radium-based, then made of tritium, and now Super-LumiNova; the sandwich dial, a two-part construct that allows the lume on the lower dial to shine through the numeral cutouts on the upper dial; and the super-sized crown protector, originally created to put pressure on the crown so the case could be sealed for water resistance.

Take them in, below:

The Panerai Luminor PAM1117

The Luminor Marina PAM1117 and the Luminor Marina Carbotech PAM1118 (below) boast a stronger, longer-lasting version of ‘lume’ (the shiny stuff). The lume is extended past the watch face to the strap.

The PAM1117 has a case made of direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), a type of 3D printing using layers of grade 5 titanium that is 40% lighter than traditional titanium.

The case of the PAM1118 differs in this regard.

The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1118

Although it shares many similarities with the PAM 1117, the casing is a little different.

The case of the PAM1118 is made of carbotech, a type of ultra-strong carbon fiber, and the PAM1119 is Fibratech, made of mineral fibers fused with polymers.

Science.

The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1112 Goldtech

Luminor Marina Goldtech PAM1112 is made of an 18k gold alloy that is 24% copper and 0,4% platinum.

On the PAM1112, Goldtech is combined with a deep blue satin, sunray sandwich dial.

Which brings us to a tribute to Italy:

The Panerai Luminor PAM1036 Luna Rossa

The Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM1036 commemorates Panerai’s sponsorship of Italy’s Challenger team for the 36th America’s Cup. It has a dial covered with a thin layer of fabric from the sailing equipment used for the AC75 monohull of the Luna Rossa, and a case made of titanium with a black DLC coating.

The Panerai Submersible PAM1108 EcoPangaea Mike Horn Edition

The Submersible Ecopangaea Tourbillon GMT Mike Horn Edition is a five piece limited edition that includes an invitation to an Arctic expedition with explorer Mike Horn. The 50 mm case is made of recycled metal from the 35-meter drive shaft of the Pangea, Mike Horn’s sailing ship

The Panerai Luminor PAM1663

The PAM1662 and PAM1663, have cases made of DMLS titanium with carbotech bezels. One has a blue dial with matching strap and the other has an anthracite dial.

The Panerai Luminor PAM 1662

All of the watches come with a 70-year warranty in honour of the company’s 70th anniversary.

This means that if you find yourself on an episode of Antiques Roadshow in 69 years time, not unlike this gentleman with a very expensive Rolex, you could still get your watch fixed, no matter what condition it’s in.

[source:forbes]