At the end of last month, the Swiss-based, Florentine-rooted watchmaker Panerai released the new Luminor Marina Carbotech 44mm (ref. PAM1661), a new carbon fiber watch reminiscent of the brand?s original LAB-ID Luminor released in 2017. This new watch, which like the LAB-ID features a special carbon case, is a somewhat more accessible addition to Panerai?s collection, being released in a non-limited run and without the LAB-ID?s approximately $50,000 price tag.

The new Luminor Marina Carbotech 44mm uses, as its name implies, a 44-mm Carbontech case in the brand?s iconic Luminor design with its cushion case, prominent bezel, short lugs, and encompassing crown guard. The uncommon Carbotech material the watch uses is produced by compressing thin sheets of carbon fiber at high pressure with a high-end polymer (PEEK); this alternation between the polymer and the carbon provides the material its distinct wave-like appearance. This manufactured material not only gives the case incredible durability, but reduces the overall weight of the watch to 96 grams, or around half that of similarly sized steel models.
 
The black dial of the watch also uses the familiar Luminor design, with sandwiched features giving an engraved appearance to the blue Arabic numerals and simpler hour markers. At the 3 o?clock position you?ll find a subtle date window, while toward 9 o?clock is a minimalistic small seconds subdial. Toward the top and bottom of the dial, some of the watch?s descriptor...