Panerai’s ongoing collaboration with the Marina Militare is not just a tale of shared heritage; it is a living commitment, evident in their most recent releases: the Submersible Marina Militare PAM01697 and Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech PAM01698. Drawing inspiration from the Italian Navy’s Aviazione Navale, these watches are the tangible result of over a century’s practice in crafting instruments for the extreme. With a refined blend of robust engineering, contemporary materials and a conscious homage to the Navy’s operational strengths, Panerai once again asserts itself as a watchmaker where substance and history are inextricably linked.
The dial of the Submersible Marina Militare is beautifully purposeful, resolutely functional, yet suffused with narrative depth. The green-grained matt surface is shaded with a subtle black gradient, evoking both the flight gear of Aviazione Navale crews and the secrecy of underwater operations. Legibility was not an afterthought; it was fundamental. The grey Super-LumiNova®, echoing the muted tones of naval aircraft, is generously applied, allowing for exceptional clarity even in unforgiving lighting. The applied indexes, now enlarged by 20% in diameter and expanded in luminescent surface by 45%, promote confidence at depth, while the small seconds sub-dial, designed after a radar display, sits at 9 o’clock and bears the historical Aviazione Navale anchor insignia: an echo of the watch’s military roots. At 6 o’clock, the Marina Militare signature is a precise and respectful affirmation of Panerai’s partnership.
At the heart of these timepieces ticks Panerai’s in-house P.900 calibre, an automatic movement developed with a view to versatility, reliability and restrained yet advanced engineering. Measuring 12½ lignes (28mm) and only 4.2mm thick, it achieves an optimal balance between robustness and elegance. The P.900 offers a substantial three-day power reserve, the result of an efficient bidirectional oscillating weight and a single large barrel. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the balance wheel sits securely under a robust balance cock, contributing to the stability of the rate. The stop-second mechanism allows for precise synchronisation, a feature befitting the instrument’s military origins.
Though the P.900 prioritises function, it does not entirely forgo refinement. Incabloc anti-shock protection is fitted, providing resilience under physical stress, while a modern architecture of 171 components (inclusive of 23 jewels) contributes to the movement’s stability and longevity. The finishing is in the understated tradition of Panerai: industrial yet meticulous, with surfaces decorated for durability and clarity rather than ornamentation, in keeping with the watch’s naval DNA.
Each reference asserts its own distinct character through case execution. The PAM01697 is hewn from brushed 316LVM – 1.4441 stainless steel, a material valued for its corrosion resistance and durability. The unidirectional rotating bezel features a matt green ceramic insert, smoothly tactile and highly resistant to scratches, further underscoring the model’s readiness for both underwater and topside operations. The solid screwed case back preserves water resistance up to 30 bar, approximately 300 metres, and is engraved with the Aviazione Navale wings, a meaningful first for Panerai.
PAM01698, by contrast, is sheathed entirely in Carbotech: a proprietary carbon-fibre composite married with PEEK polymer. This renders the watch extremely lightweight, noticeably more so than even titanium or ceramic, while preserving impressive resistance to external forces and corrosion. The stratified, matt black surface means every case is visually unique, and the tactile sensation is both modern and inviting. The watch is completed with a DLC-coated titanium screw-down case back, preserving integrity at depth.
Both models are shipped with a green canvas strap, accentuated by pronounced T/T stitching, summoning references to naval uniforms, and paired also with an additional resilient black rubber strap. A trapezoidal pin buckle: steel for the PAM01697, DLC-treated titanium for the PAM01698 ensures security and comfort on the wrist.
Panerai’s Submersible Marina Militare PAM01697 and PAM01698 encapsulate the maison’s unwavering devotion to military toolmaking. Every aspect, from dial layout and lume, to the choice of movement and the technical artistry of the case, reflects a profound respect for the heritage and demands of the Marina Militare. The decision to draw upon the Aviazione Navale’s operational theatre is especially compelling, expressing the modern Navy’s commitment to projection and flexibility in the world’s most demanding environments. To wear one of these is to wear a legacy: the enduring partnership between Panerai and the Italian Armed Forces, a narrative that blends historical reverence and relentless innovation. The convergence of Italian design, Swiss watchmaking and military purpose finds singular resonance in these new Submersibles, which are as ready for the extremes today as their ancestors were throughout the last century.
