Panerai Submersible Watches
Paying tribute to the brand’s illustrious association with the Navy, Panerai Submersible watches are commanding timepieces designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the oceans’ depths. A large and reliable wristwatch built for professionals, this collection is one of the reasons why Panerai remains at the forefront of watch innovation.
The History of Panerai Submersible Watches
Panerai Submersible watches are an homage to the company’s aquatic history which dates back all the way to 1936. With war on the horizon, the business was approached by the Italian Navy to try and design a wristwatch with luminous hands and a watertight case that could also be read in the dark. Because the brand did not have the capacity to make watches at the time, it turned to Rolex to manufacture the timepiece – with Panerai providing design assistance.
What Panerai was an expert with, was luminescence. In 1916, the company patented a radioactive powder called “Radiomir” whose luminescent properties made it ideal for underwater visibility. By 1949, the watchmaker had secured another patent for a safer tritium-based powder called Luminor.
The very first timepiece to get the Submersible subhead was released in 1998. It was a revised Luminor watch that met all the criteria for a professional divers’ watch. The model boasted a winning combination of the round “L’Egiziano” bezel from the timepiece Panerai had designed for the Egyptian Navy in 1956 and the cushion-shaped curves of the Luminor.
Fast-forward 20 years and Panerai made the decision to separate out the Submersible into its very own category. Each one is a true diving watch that is nearly always good to 300m. This is just yet another example of the Panerai brand’s pioneering spirit that more than 100 years ago led it to patent a powder that could glow in the dark.
Essential Panerai Submersible Watches
Panerai Submersible watches have a number of exciting models that really showcase the brand’s ingenuity and unique style. Take the PAM00960, for example, a modern update to a 1950s classic. The timepiece is constructed using Panerai’s patented Carbotech carbon fibre, which is lighter than the likes of ceramic and titanium, which makes every single watch case look unique.
The PAM00974, meanwhile, is the perfect example of how to make a gold watch that is built to survive underwater. Using Panerai’s proprietary blend of platinum, gold and copper (known as Goldtech). This is actually the only timepiece out of the collection that is not a divers’ watch – since it is only good to 100m.
Next is the PAM01389, which is described by many as the ultimate Submersible. This is a straight-talking, no-nonsense timepiece that is a full eight times more resistant to magnetic fields than international standards.
Constructed using a material dubbed LiquidMetal, the PAM00692 has an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. It is also completely resistant to corrosion. Meanwhile, the PAM00979 is a military-inspired timepiece that is made from Carbotech and boasts the in-house P.9010. This gives the watch the unusual function of being able to set the time forwards or backwards in hour increments.
Finally, the PAM00984 was created in conjunction with extreme adventurer Mike Horn. It is Panerai’s very first case made out of eco-titanium. The material’s recycling channel is estimated to prevent the emission of 100,000 tonnes of CO2. This means the watch looks good as well as doing good for the environment.
More Wetsuit Than Dinner Suit
The perfect homage to Panerai’s iconic connection to both the military and the sea, Panerai Submersible watches are essential for divers who want to feel and look the part. Their unique military style and robust aesthetics make them ideal for watch enthusiasts and collectors who are fans of more rugged timepieces.
If you like your diving timepieces to be taken seriously, Panerai Submersible watches are definitely for you. They are ideal for both deep sea explorations and everyday life, making them the perfect companion for any occasion.