The new Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica marks the first 40mm ceramic case for the line

Zach Blass

As someone with a smaller-sized 6.5-or-so-inch wrist, Panerai and I have had a somewhat strained relationship on a personal, collecting level. It’s not that I don’t like or appreciate the brand’s designs; I just often find them a bit too big for my wrist. However, in recent years, Panerai has been introducing smaller-sized watches, and these watches no longer come at the expense of higher depth ratings. Today, we are looking at a new Luminor GMT Ceramica watch that I think wrists of all sizes stand to enjoy.

The case

For the debuting Luminor GMT Ceramica, we have a 40mm case executed in black ceramic. In terms of finish, it’s military stealth meets Italian style and flair, with a largely sandblasted case that injects subtle moments of polishing on its bezel and crown lever. Now, I wouldn’t describe the lugs as super compact, but there is a curvature to their form that allows the watch to better hug the wrist. Lastly, though the watch is a tame-for-Panerai 40mm size, it is 300 metres water-resistant – giving you a full sense of diver’s watch security. And not that anyone would necessarily need extra assurance, but Panerai tests these watches 25% beyond the pledged depth rating as well.

The dial

The PAM01460 utilises a case-blending black sun-brushed dial. with Panerai’s signature sandwich construction, and a full disc of white Super-LumiNova X2 visible beneath the dial cutouts for the hour indexes and the cardinal sectors of the small seconds. All three central hands, and the small seconds hand, utilise Super-LumiNova as well. So, yes, this watch really glows in the dark. On the dial, you will also notice a date complication at the standard 3 o’clock position, and the inscription “BiTempo” at the 6 o’clock position, which is Italian for “dual time”. This is in reference to the 12-hour GMT hand at the centre of the dial that allows you to track a second time zone.

The straps

The watch is offered with a black calf leather strap and an additional dial-matching rubber strap. You can easily switch between the two bundled straps thanks to Panerai’s trademarked PAM Click Release System, which also extends to the sandblasted DLC titanium trapezoidal buckle that you can quickly affix to either strap.

The movement

Exhibited within PAM01460 beneath a smoked sapphire crystal is Panerai’s P.900/GMT automatic movement, which offers a weekend-proof 72 hours of power reserve. It is not necessarily adorned with Geneva Seal-level, haute horology decorations, but it has an industrial finish that I suspect owners will still enjoy being able to see through the (albiet darkened) caseback.

The verdict

Ultimately, I think this is a very cool new watch from Panerai, which, I should have mentioned earlier, marks the first ceramic case of the iconic Luminor collection to feature a 40mm size. Though the brand has historically been about bigger timepieces, the bold and distinctive look of Panerai’s professional tool watches is not lost in this smaller size, nor is the robustness associated with the brand. This piece opens up the GMT complication and material for a broader range of wrist sizes eager to dive into the Panerai catalogue, which, as someone with a smaller wrist, I really appreciate.

Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica PAM01460 pricing and availability

This new Panerai Luminor GMT Ceramica watch is a regular production model available in boutiques starting from October. Price: US$15,800​

Brand	Panerai
Model	Luminor GMT Ceramica
Reference	PAM01460
Case Dimensions	40mm (D)
Case Material	Black ceramic case, sandblasted finish Polished and sandblasted lever and bezel Grade 5 titanium caseback
Water Resistance	300 metres, Panerai crown protection device
Crystal(s)	Sapphire front, smoked sapphire back
Dial	Black sun-brushed sandwich dial
Strap	Black calf strap with white stitching, sandblasted Titanium DLC trapezoidal buckle PAM Click Release System on the strap and buckle Additional black rubber strap with PAM Click Release
Movement	P.900/GMT 12 H calibre, automatic
Power Reserve	72 hours
Functions	Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, GMT
Availability	Now
Price	US$15,800