Incorporating a first-time bronze colourway to this legendary collection is no mean feat. Housing the P.980 calibre, titanium caseback and infamous crown-protecting bridge, introducing the new Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678

Summary

• Developed in the 1950s for Italian Navy commandos, this collection blends bold Italian design with robust maritime heritage with its instantly recognisable crown-guard and luminous dial.
• With some of the best bronze watches hailing from this line, this no-date execution brings several features, like 500 metres of water resistance, gradient blue dial, and 72 hour automatic power reserve, created and tested in Neuchâtel.
• Leaning on 1950s aesthetics, featuring more vintage vibes than a Vivienne Westwood dress, there’s beige Super-Luminova, Arabic numerals, horn-shaped lugs and nautical inspired themes that would put an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M to shame. 
• Rugged and tool-infused, this watch follows its upgraded design and technical specs, released at Watches and Wonders 2025. Availability is limited to 500 pieces.

If we’re talking straight up divers, Rolex has the Submariner. And Panerai?

That would be the Luminor. 

Built for durability, the Luminor embodies the spirit of maritime adventure with its bold, unmistakable silhouette and iconic crown-protecting bridge, reflecting both heritage and innovation.

A fusion of rugged strength to match the Hulk and refined style, like one of these most iconic watches, it remains a true modern classic.

Every nerd, connoisseur and enthusiast worth their salt, should have this top Swiss luxury watch brand in their horological arsenal. 

Featuring a new bronze case, a first in this collection, it’s time to get on with our review of the Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678.

Personality Of The Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678

Born from the needs of Italian naval commandos, this timepiece carries a legacy of the sea. Its robust case and luminous dial were engineered for missions beneath the waves. 

The brand’s use of bronze reflects their deep maritime heritage, taking inspiration from the materials once used on historic naval instruments.

Besides, this alloy offers exceptional corrosion resistance - ideal for a watch born from the sea.

Starting out in 2011 on reference PAM00382, it was only a matter of time before this was unleashed on one of the best Panerai collections, favoured among collectors.

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Dimensions wise, it is a hefty beast at 44mm x 13.7mm.

To give you an idea, it’s the same case diameter as a TAG Heuer Chronograph Extreme Sport in gold (CBU2050.FT6273), and 1.6mm thicker than a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710GRNR, known as 'Bruce Wayne'

Ouch.

If you’re part of the Paneristi or not, size matters…or does it? Sure, the wrist experience is not going to win any Emmy Awards due to its sheer size. But it’s that old adage. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

Dial In For Success 

But it’s that matte blue gradient dial on the Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678, that’s the talk of the town. Evoking the sea-faring adventures of yesteryear, it is this sandwich dial framework that rings so true with this piece. 

Trust me, you won’t be feeling blue with the deep navy graduation on the periphery that transforms into a lighter accent of blue towards the centre of the dial. A genuine nod to all things marine.

Add in the bronze-like undertones and small second counter at 9, providing excellent functionality, and you have a true winning formula that defines this brand. 

The beige Super-LumiNova has a great daube, surrounding both recessed Arabic numerals and hands, with optimal legibility in low-light conditions.

We think you’ll enjoy those vintage vibes emanating from this watch come day or night.

FIND OUT MORE: 21 Best Vintage Watches To Buy Right Now - IWC Portugieser, Tudor Submariner

Simplicity personified, there’s no date aperture to speak of, with a clean visual lending to this most classic of watches. The three lines of text on the dial read in block capitals;

• LUMINOR MARINA (Positioned under 12)
• PANERAI (Based above 6)
• SWISS MADE (in small text in between the Arabic numeral 6)

That crown-protection guard protects the movement, while there is a titanium caseback with a sapphire crystal window, allowing a sneak peek of the P.980 Calibre. 

Regulated in half a dozen positions, pulsating at 28,000Vph, it has 72 hours power reserve, alongside a stop-seconds function, and a traversing balance bridge. The latter helps enhance overall stability.

Shout out to the Incabloc shock protection system, giving the best possible performance, despite arduous conditions.  

Presented on a blue calfskin leather strap, it has a trapezoidal buckle that enjoys a brushed bronze finish that’s accentuated with beige stitching, reflected in the similarly toned Arabic numerals.

In addition, wearers benefit from an extra blue rubber strap if you want a more rugged alternative.

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Available this month across branded stores and boutiques, you can buy a Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678 for around £14,900 (15,000 Euros) at the time of writing.

Key Specs - Panerai Luminor Marina Bronzo PAM01678

Conclusion

So what do we think of the new Panerai Luminor Marina Bronze PAM01678?

With a story as rich as the Rolex Daytona history, this collection dives further than ever before, striking the right horological chord between those looking to buy a watch for contemporary vibes, and those searching for ruthless utilitarian aggression, stemming from the 1940s. 

Besides, you cannot go wrong with the clean cut of this timepiece with first rate clarity and the new bronze cushion style case is a first for the Luminor series. 

Big kudos goes to the 500 metres water resistance, making it incredibly robust. And you can’t get away from that patina appeal, that ages as well as Simon Cowell. Timeless.

Though we would advise against the blood washing.

In effect, this aging process reflects not only the personality of the timepiece, but the wearer, that goes hand in hand together. In my view it is a horological match that’s pretty unbeatable in the collector game. 

As far as patina goes, Panerai stands out as the kingmakers…a new Bronze Age has just begun.

Images: Unless otherwise specified

Panerai

Further Reading: 

16 Most Iconic Watches In Horological History

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