Wrist Game or Crying Shame: Panerai Luminor Base Logo
Welcome to the jungle that is Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly internet voting game that allows you to choose whether a watch is cool enough to grace your supple wrist! This week, we take a look at the Panerai Luminor Base Logo. But first…
Last week, I showed you the Rolex Precision 6694. To jog your memory, this is a sweet 34mm Oyster with a manual wind movement. At just over €3,500, it walked away with a respectable 68% Wrist Game win. I’d call that a solid week’s work despite the normal whinging about featuring a Rolex. Well, this week we are back with yet another finger flexer in the Panerai Luminor Base Logo. Let’s see if adding 10mm of diameter is a good thing for you or not!
Panerai Luminor Base Logo — Big Bold Looks
When I think of Panerai, I think of simple. Big bold looks and a lack of crap on the dial work well with the utilitarian case and locking crown that have made the brand famous. If we’re using that as a yardstick, the Panerai Luminor Base Logo is about as simple as it gets when it comes to the semi-Florentine marque. In fact, that logo is about the only superfluous addition to a very, very clean watch design. I’ve always liked these big basic divers despite the nod to branding. Speaking of which…
Subtle Branding or Not?
Do you like branding? I can’t help but dislike today’s current infatuation with silly labels. Seriously, “Supreme” looks like a brand of laundry detergent and while I abhor buying fake goods, you’re a downright nincompoop if you’re spending hundies on a dumb hoodie with a sew-on patch. Likewise, all you doofuses wearing “pick an Italian luxury brand” t-shirts should really get a clue. No one thinks your Moschino t-shirt is cool. No one. And remove the dumb “New Era” sticker from your hat while you’re at it. Jeez! Returning to the subject, I am thankful that the Panerai Luminor Base Logo shows its sign in a subtle way. That says a lot for such a big watch!
The Base Logo was a Proper Hit
The Panerai Luminor Base Logo hit shelves in 2004 and was a real winner for a brand that was still, relatively speaking, in its salad days. People couldn’t get enough of Panerai. This reference 00000 brought fans a watch that hadn’t been seen since the Pre-Vendome days. At this stage, the company had the “Rolexian” ability of making small changes such as adding its historic logo to the dial and causing the collective Paneristi to require a doccia fredda. Mamma mia!
Using the Unitas 6497 Hand Winding Movement
The watches sold out for quite a period and even traded at a premium for the first several years of production. Just like your Summer vacation, all good things come to an end and the watches became far easier to buy by the time they were phased out in 2014. But that doesn’t mean that these Unitas 6497 hand winding watches aren’t still lookers.
A Solid Case Back and Printed Dial
As a base model, the Panerai Luminor Base Logo has a solid steel case back. That’s ok with me as we’re talking about a more finely finished off the shelf movement. The watches also lack the so-called sandwich dial. Here again, I think that’s fine as these printed dials actually look quite historically correct. A polished case and brushed crown guard help complete the picture. These aren’t small watches, but they work far better on smaller wrists than 47mm specimens.
A Lovely Example from Japan
We’ve found what I think is a sweet Panerai Luminor Base Logo for you on Chrono24 and it comes from the land of uni and otaku. That would be Japan and we can thank the dealer Gallery Rare Ltd for their photos. Today’s watch is a good looking Luminor that comes with all its kit with the exception of what was originally a black calfskin strap. That’s been changed for a white crocodile strap that I’d gift to someone deserving. I’d instead select a bespoke brown weathered strap of sorts. Price-wise, this 2011 model comes in at €3,095. That feels pretty darn reasonable versus the 5k or I saw last decade.
I’d like to think that a modern classic like the Panerai Luminor Base Logo has bottomed out in terms of pricing and that this represents a deal. But as we’ve seen, it’s not about what I think. You have control so exercise it with your vote!
