Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM 5218 Review
Reference Guide

Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM 5218 Review

By amanico · Sep 21, 2025 · 60 replies
amanico
WPS member · Officine Panerai forum
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Amanico's insightful post delves into Panerai's adeptness at reissuing historical references, specifically focusing on the new Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM 5218. He meticulously compares it to the revered Pre Vendome 5218-202/A, a 'Grail' for many collectors, highlighting the nuances of its 'non-matching' dial. This piece offers a vital perspective for understanding Panerai's strategy of honoring its past while introducing modern interpretations.

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 At the " reissue game", Panerai is very good. We can even say that when they revisit their past, they often do it in a very good way. 

There are a lot of references which are revisiting the past. The 372, the 587, the 662, the 127, the 21, the Mare Nostrum 42 mm ( reissue of the Pre Vendome " 301/A " and the Mare Nostrum PAM 300, a faithful reproduction of the Prototype from 1943, the PAM 249, and now, the 5218,  the reissue of a watch considered as a Grail for many Panerai lovers, the 5218-202/A, the famous Pre Vendome Marina Militare, in its non matching configuration. 

The non matching dial was caused by a reaction of the lacquer used at that time, in 1993. A happy accident, which was quickly corrected by Panerai in their 201/A ( Logo Pre Vendome ) and 202/A ( Marina Militare ) dials. Non matching dials are characterized by the amber orange indices and the white lume of the hands. 

Here is a Pre Vendome 5218-202/A Marina Militare Non Matching, one I had the pleasure to own:  







And here, two with the more " common " matching dial: 





The difference is visible. Both have non matching hands, but THE Non Matching is the one with amber orange indices. 

Now, we'll see that the new 5218 Marina Militare is very close to the Pre Vendome, but with some noticeable differences. 

1/ The case:

Here we have a case with the same size ( 44 mm ) in steel, but with a darker hue. And it is not PVD coated anymore. Indeed, the steel case is DLC coated, now. Not a big deal, and the DLC will probably be more resistant to scratches and dings than PVD. 

44 mm: Good or bad? 

47 mm is the natural size for a Panerai, but here, as it is a Pre Vendome evocation, I am happy with the 44 mm case. 


I don't have information about the thickness, but it should be around 14 mm, as was the Pre Vendome  Marina Militare. 

The case back is solid and is a clear evocation of the Pre Vendome, too: 




2/ The dial: 

The dial is the heart, the soul of this watch, as it was already the case for the Pe Vendome Marina Militare. I love these white " magic " 4 lines, on this dial, its texture, the fact that it is said to be non matching, We are very close to the original, here, with a difference, the font of the Marina Militare, especially the A and the E. 



The new one has these delicious closed  6 and 9, very sensuous, and these fat numbers. A feast for the eyes. But it has a lighter color than the Pre Vendome one which is more orange. I would have preferred a darker color on the new one... But from some real photos I've seen, it seems that the non matching look seems more pronounced than on the official  photos... To be checked... 




3/ The movement: 

Exit the ETA 6497 housed in the Pre Vendome, welcome the much more modern Cal P6000, which is also manual winding, but which offers a longer autonomy, 72 hours versus circa 46... 

CONCLUSION: 

This new Marina Militare will not be as limited as the Pre Vendome was ( 140 pieces only for the 202/A versus annual production for the new one ). Which is a good thing! But a bad thing is that it is available from the Boutiques only... 

The water resistance is the same: 300 meters, which will allow us to enjoy it in all conditions. They didn't make the same mistake as those " historical " references which were sometimes limited to... 30 meters! ( See the PAM 249, for example... )

Priced at 8500 Euros ( VAT included ) or 8800 USD ( VAT excluded ), I am pretty sure it will receive a warm welcome, even from those long term fans who were desperating to see something exciting coming from this brand. 

I am convinced. Better, I am excited by this one, and I just want one! 


Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best,

Nicolas



About the Omega Planet Ocean Ref. 662

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean reference 662 is a notable example within the broader Planet Ocean collection, distinguished by its specific configuration and materials. This reference represents a particular iteration that balances robust functionality with refined aesthetics, appealing to collectors who appreciate a substantial yet wearable timepiece. It is part of a series that emphasizes durability and precision, consistent with Omega's heritage in professional-grade instruments. The 662 offers a distinct presence on the wrist, reflecting its design intent for both daily wear and more demanding environments.

This particular reference features a stainless steel case, providing a resilient and classic foundation. It is equipped with an automatic movement, ensuring reliable timekeeping and convenience for the wearer. The watch typically incorporates a sapphire crystal, known for its scratch resistance, protecting the dial. While specific dimensions can vary across the Planet Ocean line, the 662 maintains a balanced proportion that contributes to its wearability despite its robust construction.

For collectors, the reference 662 holds interest as a specific variant within the extensive Planet Ocean family. Its appeal lies in its combination of established design elements and technical specifications. It caters to those seeking a well-engineered timepiece with a strong identity, without venturing into more specialized or limited editions. The 662 stands as a solid representation of the Planet Ocean's core attributes, offering a blend of performance and enduring style.

Specifications

Caliber
Omega 8500
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
42mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
600m
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
GO
Goh
Sep 21, 2025

...at the reissue game, but how hard can it be for them? Some feel all their watches look the same 🤣 On serious note, this one is quite attractive, only unsure how will owners of the originals feel with such reissues.

JO
John-E-Mac
Sep 21, 2025

Could have gotten more money had they made a retro-inspired wood case that doubles as a humidor.

RI
ripper444
Sep 21, 2025

This watch is just COOL and AWESOME!

MA
Marc Obermann
Sep 21, 2025

It really does have a very strong vintage vibe and look to it which I think is a good thing and thank you for your post that goes into all the small details about this watch. IMO the choice of DLC over PVD makes sense as the DLC is a newer and better technology even if this may be the reason for the slightly darker colour it makes sense to me at least. As for the subtle differences about the dial I really am not well enough informed to notice that had you not mentioned it and am not sure anyone

AR
ArmisT
Sep 21, 2025

I hadn’t noticed some of the differences between the original and this reissue, which is very close to. Still, the biggest difference which you point out (and which I have seen on other live wrist shots) is that the numbers are indeed not as dark [orange] as the original which is more pronounced. Nevertheless, it is a great overall piece which thankfully is not a fixed limited edition. I am curious, when you obtained the original, it was still not evident that the dial would change colors the wa

IL
Il-Punitore
Sep 21, 2025

Picked up mine last week here in Milan Here with a DLC cousin (PAM00594) Love it (love both actually)

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