Panerai are one of the few brands in watchmaking to realise that a watch is about more than the physical object. Yes, you could buy a watch and immediately shut it behind a glass display case to admire but watches are fundamentally designed to be worn and have experiences with. That’s why Panerai started the high-end Experience Edition series, where the purchase of your timepiece comes with a once in a lifetime experience themed around the watch, the latest example of which is the new Submersible Chrono Marina Militare Experience Edition.
The Marina Militare is the Italian Navy, who Panerai have been collaborating with since their very earliest days. There have been two previous Navy experience editions, the Forze Speciali and Marina Militare Carbotech, so in order to make the new watch stand out, they’ve dedicated it to a specific arm of the Navy, the aviation-centric Aviazione Navale. This is what Panerai have to say about the experience:
“Set against the stunning backdrop of Puglia, Italy, at the Naval Air Station in Grottaglie, participants will step into the shoes of a modern hero for three days. They will learn the uncompromising discipline of the Military Corps, participating in thrilling military training activities while gaining rare insight into their usual naval aviation operations through tactical simulations and helicopter missions. Beyond that, guests will have the opportunity to flank aircrew during their flight activity, and soak in the authentic atmosphere of southern Italian culture.”
As for the watch itself, it’s quite the leviathan of a diver. It measures 47mm in diameter in titanium with a ceramic insert unidirectional bezel with immersion time scale. It has a 500m water resistance rating that Panerai have tested to tolerances over 25% greater to ensure it can operate at the appropriate depths reliably. It’s fortunate that it’s made from titanium that’s 40% lighter than steel otherwise it would be like an anchor rather than just depicting one on its subdial.
It’s also a flyback chronograph with time-to-target display and double central chronograph hand layout. Normally a double chronograph hand means a split seconds chrono or a double independent chrono but that’s not the case here. It’s just that the chronograph minutes and chronograph seconds are both mounted on the central hand stack, allowing both to make use of the time-to-target scale for precision timing. Setting and activating the time-to-target function is done via the crowns at 4 and 10 o’clock.
Aesthetically, the display is military green with a grainy texture and slight fumé gradient inspired by the uniforms of the Aviazione Navale. Outside the chronograph elements, it features a dive style layout with lumed circle indexes for low light legibility. Robust and easy to read. Below that dial is the P.9100/R automatic movement with 72-hour power reserve.
As an experience edition, the price is not what you’d describe as accessible. Previous military versions have been around the £45,000 mark and the Submersible Chrono Marina Militare Experience Edition is similar at £48,200. Though with the money-can’t-buy experience included, it’s arguably not bad value for what you get. It’s also a limited edition of 35 pieces.
Price and Specs:
Model:
Panerai
Submersible Chrono Marina Militare Experience Edition
Ref:
PAM01699
Case:
47mm
diameter, brushed grade 5 titanium with unidirectional black ceramic bezel
Dial:
Green
grained matt with black gradient finish
Water resistance:
500m
(50 bar)
Movement:
Panerai
calibre P.9100/R, automatic, 37 jewels
Frequency:
28,800
vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve:
3
days
Functions:
Hours,
minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph, countdown timer, calculation of immersion time
Strap:
Green
cotton canvas with T/T stitching & trapezoidal brushed titanium buckle with additional black rubber strap
Price:
£48,200,
limited to 35 pieces, price on request
More details at Panerai.
Oracle Time