Panerai PAM 159 F - Luminor GMT - 40mm Stainless Steel

 

Panerai PAM 159 F - Luminor GMT - 40mm Stainless Steel - Reference:  PAM 159 F

The PAM159/160 was made for production years E - F - G and H.  It was discontinued after the H series and replaced with the PAM244.  Interestingly, starting with the I series introduction of the new PAM244 40mm GMT, Panerai decided not to produce the 40mm GMT model on a bracelet.  For that reason, the only incarnation of a 40mm Luminor GMT on a bracelet exists in the E-F-G-H series of the PAM160. 

Additionally, the PAM159/160 more closely resembles the currently produced PAM161 44mm GMT with its sharply constrasting silver seconds dial at 9 o'clock and silver power reserve indicator between 4 and 5 o'clock than the PAM244 which features an all black hobnail (waffle-textured) dial with blend-in seconds dial and power reserve indicator (seemingly painted onto the surface of the dial).  Some critics have said the PAM159/160 is a more striking, easier to read dial with more contrast and depth than the dial on the currently produced PAM244 40mm Luminor GMT.

One additional and significant difference between the 40mm GMT PAM159/160 versus its bigger brother, the 44mm Luminor GMT PAM161, besides the obvious size difference, is in the composition of metals that make up each watch.  The PAM159/160 is 100% stainless steel; The case of the PAM159/160 is lightly satin brushed stainless steel with contrasting high polished (shiny) stainless steel bezel, versus the 44mm PAM161 which features a brushed titanium case and high polished stainless steel bezel.  Additionally, the bracelet of the PAM160 is solid stainless steel made up integrating links of matte brushed and high polished stainless steel, whereas the bracelet of the PAM161 is made up of alternating links of brushed/matte finish titanium and high polished stainless steel, again adding to the tutoned appearance.  The end result is that the 44mm PAM161 has a more contrasting tutone appearance set off by the dark matte brushed titanium and high polished steel versus the PAM159/160 which features both brushed stainless steel and high polished stainless steel. (Also known as:PAM159, PAM 159, PAM-159, PAM 159 F)