While the new Panerai Luminor Marina Boutique Edition New York (PAM 417) doesn’t offer much in the ‘uniqueness’ department, it still may be of some interest both to collectors and aficionados alike for whom the Big Apple holds some sentimental value. If you fall into at least one of these categories, you should probably hurry up and reserve one of these babies since there will be not so many of them to be offered.
Overall Impression
As usual, Panerai sticks faithfully to its tried and true design language.
Thanks to its familiar cushion-shaped case with its patented crown guard and the signature dial, the PAM 417 is recognizable even from a great distance. Some may find this approach a bit (or even a great deal) boring, but I guess that this is okay: in a world where advances in industrial processes allow manufacturers to constantly tinker with the appearance and technical specs of their products, you sometimes need something stable.
It is sometimes good to know that Panerai will continue churning out (almost) the same watches for years to come.
Of course, the approach also requires the watchmaker to drastically limit production numbers to keep prices high. As a part of this strategy, the Italian brand keeps introducing limited-edition models customized for its most important markets.
It is reported that, after many “Boutique Edition” versions for their customers in Taiwan and in mainland China, Officine Panerai will soon start selling several limited edition timepieces in its US boutiques. As you have probably already guessed, this new Panerai Luminor Marina Boutique Edition New York (PAM 417) is one of the models that will soon go on sale.
The Case
Presented in a signature cushion-shaped stainless steel case 44 mm in diameter, the watch bears that familiar sense of presence. This, of course, has its drawbacks since, given its visual massiveness which is combined with relatively long lugs, the Boutique Edition New York may look too massive if your wrist is below average in terms of girth.
As one might have expected, the watch comes with a fragment of the Statue of Liberty engraved on its solid case back. The engraving offers a familiar angle at the famous landmark and, being drawn against finely executed circular machine-brushing, makes a nice impression.
The Dial
Fortunately, unlike the aforementioned “Fu” model, Panerai’s designers did not deface the timepiece’s dial with the Bald Eagle or some other symbol currently associated with the United States.
Here, we still see the familiar “sandwich”-style dial with a fully luminous layer visible through cutouts on the black front dial that form the usual for their “small seconds” models three Arabic numerals, and eight narrow hour markers. The fact that luminous strips on the blacked-out hour and minute hands match the width of the indices is, too, nothing new, but it is still pleasant to note.
The Mechanism
The PAM 417 is equipped with the Caliber OP II hand-wound movement, which is based on ETA 6497-2 ebauche, is reliable, and is also easy to service. Of course, given the timekeeper’s price and, well, sort of exclusivity, one would rightfully expect an in-house caliber to tick inside its massive case, but, well, not this time.
The boutique edition timekeeper is equipped with a brown leather strap with contrasting beige stitching.
As usual, the watches come as limited-edition models. This particular version is limited to 150 pieces. The MSRP is set at $5100: truth be told, it’s even lower than I expected.
See also: Panerai Luminor Composite 3 Days PAM 386 in Ceramic
WWR Verdict
Originality 3/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
Photos: Panerai
Panerai Luminor Marina Boutique Edition New York (PAM 417) specification
Price: $5100 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber OP II, based on ETA/Unitas 6497-2, hand-wound, 17 jewels, 21,600 vph, COSC-certified, Swiss Made
Jewels: 17
Cadence of balance: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve: 41 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Leather
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved