Panerai PAM36 / PAM 00036 Marina Militare - A brief history

Posted by OJ Whatley on May 23rd 2023

The PAM36 was not Panerai's first watch to ever sport the 'Marina Militare' designation on the dial although PAM36 was the first contemporary release (post 1998) of what would become the 'Marina Militare' Thematic special edition series.

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‘Marina Militare’ designation on the dial means this watch was produced in association with Royal Italian Navy / Marina Militare and was a nod to Panerai's mil-spec manufacturing roots going back to WW1/WW2. Over the past 25 years, there have been ONLY 6 Marina Militare Special Edition Models produced. Of these 6 models, the PAM36 Luminor Marina Marina Militare continues to be the most rare, sought after of all the Marina Militare models.

Here is what I think makes the Panerai PAM36 Marina Militare the most in-demand, sought after and rare of the Marina Militare Special Edition Watch Series:

PAM36 'Marina Militare' was completely sold out upon release in 1999/2000. Released in a scant 200 pieces for the entire world as a 1-time Special Edition for 1998 B series production year, The PAM36 featured some ground-breakng features never before seen on a Panerai. The PAM 36 didn’t hit the street for at least a year to 2 years after they were announced and were sold out as soon as they hit the dealers showcases. For collectors and watch dealers, they were a well-kept secret (if you knew, you knew kind of thing) that were the equivalent of today’s Rolex daytona from a resale perspective if you could acquire one from an authorized dealer at retail for those who knew wow rare and how difficult they were to find.

PAM36 was the first Panerai Luminor model to have below key features which (at the time of release) were lauded and prized by growing Paneristi community:

44m brushed titanium case with Exhibition sapphire (see-through) caseback which allows viewing of finely engraved and hand-finished movement. in 1998-2000, watches with see-through casebacks were few and far between and typically reserved for watches with price points in excess of $20,000.

Tobacco Brown/Chocolate dial with Tritium luminous material on hour markers - Up to this point, the Luminor models had only black or white dials and people loved the brown dial. They especially loved the contrasting green lume which over the years would fade from green to yellow to an antiqued brown and give this watch a well-worn and vintage look and feel

'Marina Militare' designation on dial - the PAM36 was not Panerai's first watch to ever sport the 'Marina Militare' designation on the dial although PAM36 was the first contemporary release (post 1998) of what would become the 'Marina Militare' Thematic special edition series. Marina Militare means this watch was produced in association with Royal Italian Navy / Marina Militare and was a nod to Panerai's mil-spec manufacturing roots going back to WW1/WW2. Over the past 25 years there have been less than 6 Marina Militare Special Edition Models produced, the PAM36 Luminor Marina Marina Militare is still the most rare, sought after and with highest value.

PAM36 Marina Militare featured ground-breaking and revolutionary Special Edition Packaging that was typically designed for watches priced at $25,000-$100,000. The grandiose special edition packaging set the tone for future Thematic Special Editions, not just from Panerai but from affiliated brands like IWC, JLC and Cartier. These packaging details included:

Original (oversized and massive) Special Edition Burlwood Box Set - inner wooden box with its own key to lock the box). The boxset weighs nearly 10 pounds and the box was lined in sumptuous black sueded leather with a leather documents pouch and even a sueded black foam pad to protect the underside of the box from scratching the watch while it was in the box
Panerai Warranty Card (Serialized and filled in with original DOP, name of dealer, etc.), CoSC Chronometer Certificate individually numbered and showing the exact date and results of its Timekeeping Accuracy and Precision Testing results, Special Edition Parchment Certificate (Individually numbered, hand-signed and hand written release date) and serialized sticker with movement number which married the CoSC Chronometer certificate to the watch serial number, movement number and CoSC certificate number
Original Panerai 'Storici' (aka Historic) Instruction Booklet and Libretto Di Garanzia Warranty/Service Booklet, Panerai leather documents holder, strap holder and key.

#Panerai PAM36 PAM00036 Marina Militare