On 11 January, 1949, a patent was approved for use by Panerai with the name "Luminor" due to all the luminescent and self-luminescent materials used. Giuseppe Panerai realized that the link with radioactivity had to be handled with caution, considering the new reality created by the expansion of impressive military and civil atomic technologies. He decided that the luminescent substances should be given a new and more neutral name and were thus gradually identified by the name Luminor. After more than a decade, the Luminor was recognized with a new luminescent tritium-based substance (a hydrogen isotope), with very low and harmless emissions. This was the result of many studies and experiments, and Luminor gradually became, by convention of use, the common identifier of the Panerai diving timepiece, characterized by the crown-protection bridge.
PANERAI LUMINOR BASE TITANIUM PAM176
44 mm titanium case, mechanical hand winding Caliber OP X with 56 hour power reserve, luminous black sandwich dial. Circa 2011, one owner, excellent condition, with original box and paper.