This time out, the Panerai Laboratorio di Idee imagined a metamorphosis of sorts. Wearing a Panerai to turn into a Caiman. How did it happen? Well, that is exactly what happened to 33 Panerai clients on September 2nd and 3rd at the legendary “Teseo Tesei” naval base in La Spezia. With their new Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ PAM00961 watches on their wrists, the 33 clients joined the Comsubin, members of the Italian Navy special forces, for a two-days experience. The Italian Navy unit’s coat-of-arms features a caiman and its motto is: E fluctibus irruit in hostem (from the sea, we assault the enemy). The only difference in this particular instance was that the predators were focusing on the most difficult target of all: themselves.
Facing and braking through their own limits, their own fears and routines. Cast off from the safe shores of everyday life bound for the stormy waters of the exceptional. This 33-man expedition was the first of the extreme experiences that the Florentine luxury sports watch maker offered to its customers.
On September 2nd, the participants and their Panerai PAM00961 sailed aboard assault inflatables to the Varignano Fortress which houses the naval base. It was originally a lazaret under the Republic of Genoa but is now completely off-limits to unauthorised persons. Once settled in, clients underwent and passed a medical check-up before receiving uniforms personalised by Panerai that were required for the planned assault exercises on land, sea and air.
The most extreme challenges took place on September 3rd, the real “experience day”.
Several fast-paced activities, the same that the members of Navy special forces undergo for their trainings, have been following since the early morning under the attentive supervision of the GOS (Operational Divers Group) and GOI (Operational Raiders Group): from diving into the sea depths to shooting sessions, from obstacle-strewn agility course to experience a zip-line passing across a 200-metre crevice on a 100-metre line.
And again, a light aboard the military helicopter to the Muzzerone Fortress which strategically dominates Baia delle Grazie from its position. Last but very far from least, the group visited the Anteo, the Italian Navy submarine rescue ship assigned to the Comsubin.
After the mission was accomplished by Panerai heroes and their Panerai PAM00961 and the adrenaline slightly went down, two evenings inspired by the Italian “Dolce Vita” ended up the experience, while Italy revealed her gentler side and the sea seen from the coast perspective seemed a quiet and safe place.
Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ 47mm – PAM00961
An exceptional new Special Edition revives one of the greatest tales of heroism in horological history: the partnership between Panerai and the commandos of the Italian Navy. The new Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ PAM00961 enabled its 33 fortunate owners to enjoy a unique experience: taking part in a training session with Comsubin, the Diving and Commando Group of the Italian Navy. Hardly anyone who is not a member of this select award-winning circle can take part in this experience, which today Panerai is offering exclusively to its bravest and most passionate clients. The number of Panerai PAM00961 examples being produced – 33 – is the same as the number of Gold Medals for Military Valour won by those who have been members of Comsubin in the course of its history.
The limited edition of the Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ PAM00961 is distinguished from the rest of the collection not only by the experience to which it gives access, but also by some stylistic features that further emphasise the military character of this exclusive creation by the Panerai Manufacture. In this version the all-black design is enhanced by details in an intense military green: the Super-LumiNova® which makes the hands and the hour markers on the dial and the rotating bezel visible in the dark, and the tough rubber strap, perfect for scuba diving. On the back of the case, the Comsubin logo is engraved.
The Panerai PAM00961 case, 47 mm in diameter, the unidirectional rotating bezel and the device for protecting the winding crown are made of carbotech, the material with a carbon fibre base introduced into the world of high-quality watchmaking by Panerai, which is both lighter than titanium and stronger than stainless steel. The special composition of this material – which consists of extremely thin layers of carbon fibre bound together by a special polymer – confer on each individual example a unique and unrepeatable appearance. This is also picked up by the aesthetic of the black dial made of carbon, with the date window at 3 o’clock and the small seconds’ dial at 9 o’clock. The movement of the Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ PAM00961 is the P.9010 automatic calibre, entirely developed and made by the Panerai Manufacture, which has a power reserve of three days.
Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ Technical Specification
PAM00961 – Limited Edition of 33 examples
MOVEMENT
Automatic mechanical, P.9010 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 6.0 mm thick, 31 jewels, Glucydur® balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 200 components.
FUNCTIONS
Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Date
CASE
Diameter 47mm, carbotech
BEZEL
carbotech
BACK
Screw, titanium with black coating. Engraved
DIAL
Carbon with luminous hour markers and dots. Date at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock
WATER RESISTANCE
“30 bar (~300 metres)”
STRAP
– 26/22.0 Standard
