Panerai’s New Dive Watches Are Inspired by the Italian Navy
This svelte duo of dive watches from Panerai is ready for just about any adventure.
The watchmaker just added two new pieces to its collection, the Submersible Marina Militare (PAM01697) and the Submersible Marina CarbotechTM (PAM01698). The launch pays tribute to Panerai’s longstanding relationship with the Italian Navy, a partnership that spans back to the 1910s; as such, the pair takes its design cues from the flight gear and helmets of the Aviazione Navale, the aviation sector of the military branch.
And these military-inspired dive watches are done up in a stunning green hue that can be seen on the grained matte dials with a black gradient finish on each timepiece. Both PAM01697 and PAM01698 have a Marina Militare signature at 6 o’lock, as well as accents of gray Super-LumiNova‚ inspired by the colors of the Aviazione Navale’s aircraft. The small-seconds counter here was crafted to look like a radar display, with the Aviazione Navale’s engraved on the dial. Panerai also has made the dials’ applied indexes 20 percent wider in diameter, making it easier to read.
Flip both timepieces over to check out another homage to the naval unit; the caseback is engraved with the Aviazione Navale wing emblem, in a first for Panerai. Underneath, you’ll find the automatic P.900 caliber with 171 components to its name.
There are only a few differences between the two watches. The Submersible Marina CarbotechTM sits at 14.25 mm thick with a case made with—you guessed it—Carbotech, a material based in carbon fiber. Its cousin, the Submersible Marina Militare, has a case that’s 13.45 mm thick and made from brushed 316LVM stainless steel. Each case, though, sits at 44 mm wide. For all that adventuring, the duo has a water resistance of around 300 meters (1,000 feet) and is offered with both green canvas and black rubber straps, in another nod to the military.
Panerai first made precision instruments for the Italian Navy’s missions, and eventually worked on landing systems and technical equipment as well. In 1935, the brand created the Ref. 2533 prototype, a timepiece that was made for punishing underwater missions.
Though your own crusades may be far less troublesome, you can add the pair to your collection now. The PAM01697 retails for a cool $12,500, while the PAM01698 is priced at $19,500.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.