Luminor vs Luminor 1950 case comparison (PAM111 vs PAM312)

[markiemark]

Today I decided to get off my lazy butt and do something useful for our lovely community. ALE already covered a lot of info regarding different cases, but I wanted to do a little additional pictorial of my two favourite Panerai's. I believe that the PAM111 and PAM312 are still holding the original Panerai DNA. These to models are quite the same, yet so different! For this pictorial I am using a v3 PAM312 from KW powered by a Asian 7750 and a Marlin modded v3 PAM111 from Noob in a modded v4 case-set.

PAM111
Case size: 44mm
Case thickness: 16mm
Case finish: Fully polished
Crown: Thin/hollow
Crystal: Flat
Caseback: Exhibition
Dial: Sandwich, black
Date: No
Seconds: @9
Movement: Manual
Hands: Hour and minute black, seconds white
Extra: No


PAM312
Case size:44mm
Case thickness: 18mm
Case finish: Fully brushed, polished bezel
Crown: Bold/curved
Crystal: Slightly domed
Caseback: Exhibition
Dial: Sandwich, black
Date: @3
Seconds: @9
Movement: Auto
Hands: Silver
Extra: Quick strap release system

Both models feature a black Sandwich dial with green lumed indices and numerals, and Luminor Marina Panerai printing. The PAM312 has the seconds located next to the 9, where the seconds of the PAM111 replaced the 9. Where the PAM111 has black Pre-V hands and a white seconds hand, the PAM312 has silver hands.

The PAM312 features a decorated A7750 (auto) to look like the calibre P.9000. The PAM111 an A6497 (OP XI) (manual wound) movement.

The Luminor (PAM111) case is the most contemporary looking in my opinion, because of its relatively speaking more straight lines and edges compared to the more curvaceous Luminor 1950 (PAM312).
The Luminor 1950 (PAM312) case quite is similar to the Luminor (PAM111) from the front, but when viewed from the side and the back, the differences are very apparent. The Luminor 1950 (PAM312) case has a more of a vintage look the more modern Luminor (PAM111) case. Because of the auto movement, the Luminor 1950 (PAM312) case is thicker.


Luminor (PAM111) on top:

Luminor 1950 (PAM312) on top:

Both Luminor 1950 (PAM312) and Luminor (PAM111) cases feature a device to protect the crown a.k.a. the crown guard. The Luminor 1950 (PAM312) crown guard is thicker and has the REG TM inscribed, while the Luminor (PAM111) crown guard is thinner and less wide. Not only the crown guard, but the lever and the crown on the Luminor 1950 (PAM312) are more bulky/pronounced compared to the Luminor (PAM111).


Luminor (PAM111) wrist presence:

Luminor 1950 (PAM312) wrist presence:

Because of the thicker caseback on the Luminor 1950 (PAM312) sits 2mm higher on the wrist than the Luminor (PAM111). This is just a little bit noticeable whilst wearing in my opinion. I find wearing the thicker Luminor 1950 (PAM312) of 16mm more comfortable than a Rolex Seadweller of 15mm thick. I have flat a 17cm/6.7" wrist.

 

[ferbiez]

This review is so awesome and made me start looking at Pam312...


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[kilowattore]

Great idea! I recall when I first approached the Panerai world I had more than a headache getting to understand the different case shape between a Luminor and a 1950 case. They're so similar yet so different and these pics show it clearly.
Good job!

 

[Polebear]

Thanks for this comparison!
Personally, i love the luminor case on the wrist more than my submersible.
It has been said that the 312 is a bit top heavy compared to luminor case.
What is your opinion?

 

[erekose]

Nice idea to do a side by side of the most popular 44m options.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

 

[markiemark]

Thanks for this comparison!
Personally, i love the luminor case on the wrist more than my submersible.
It has been said that the 312 is a bit top heavy compared to luminor case.
What is your opinion?

I think it all depends on wrist size and wrist shape. My wrist is rather flat and the Luminor 1950 sits and stays in middle of my wrist during the day. The Luminor case is leaning to the outside-edge of my wrist while wearing, which is less comfortable in my opinion. In the pic you can see some space between the caseback and my wrist, but a hole tighter is not an option as my hand will turn black.

That said, I don't think the PAM312 is top heavy. It's nicely balanced and wears just fine. It's not a heavy watch either. After wearing my Rolex Seadweller 116600 for a day I got a wristache. The two extra mm's of the Luminor 1950, compared to the Luminor, are distributed in the caseback and in the crystal.

 

[JMMC]

Very helpful :clap_1:

 

[Dewr1]

Great post , I have both and prefer the luminor over the 1950. 1950 always seems too tall to me


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[chimera87]

Very informative... Thanx mate... smhw Im torn between 312 and 328/299 coz of the new style bracelet...

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[Better n' Reverse]

Having a small wrist (6.5") the 1950 looks goofy on me since it sits way too high but the 44mm base models are perfect!

 

[ALE7575]

Thanks markiemark for this interesting post
As you can see with the same size there are important differences even regarding how they wear in the wirst
Rep points added

ALE

 

[markiemark]

Thanks markiemark for this interesting post
As you can see with the same size there are important differences even regarding how they wear in the wirst
Rep points added

ALE

Thanks ALE!

 

[retrospex]

This comparison has been on my mind all week. And *poof* you made it. magic.
rep points for you.

 

[markiemark]

This comparison has been on my mind all week. And *poof* you made it. magic.
rep points for you.

Funny thing is, I already had the 111 and wanted a 312. So I thought I'll order the 312 and keep the one I like most since they're quite the same. When it got here I found out their differences and decided to share my experience here.

 

[Riffhard1]

Great job

 

[jetlau3]

Thanks for the post.