As it has in all of its timepiece models, Officine Panerai has once again gone out of its way to design a watch for those who the company originally made their watches for, the aquatic experts and diving fanatics. Yes, if you couldn’t tell by the name this is Panerai’s OFFICIAL submersible time telling instrument.
The Luminor Submersible – 44 mm by Officine Panerai is an actually an automatic chronometer, an exquisite and oh so modern evolution of a classical model created in the year of 1956 by the Egyptian Navy, with the eight-day Angelus movement, a seconds dial at 9 o’clock, a large case and graduated rotating bezel designed precisely for effortless underwater reading. This Luminor Submersible – 44 mm inherits the original and decisive personality of Officine Panerai’s initia; historic model, which is on show in the characteristic bezel of this watch, as well as in the watch’s uber reliability under the most extreme conditions of use you can imagine. The Luminor Submersible has radial movement, with a wide metallic ring that most significantly improves the exact precision of the click and positively guarantees better resistance to wear and high or low temperatures. By using this mechanical movement with an automatic charge, Officine Panerai has improved the watch’s functionality with utmost respect to its predecessor, reflecting the constant technical advancement constantly pursued by Officine Panerai with dedication to the brand’s legacy of quality, durability and reliability.
What keeps the Officine Panerai Luminor Submersible animated is none other than the Panerai OP III calibre, which measures 13 ¼ lignes in diameter, and with 21 rubies; with 42 hour reserve. The chronometer certificate issued by C.O.S.C. is characterized by the unmistakable bridges and oscillating weight decorated and personalized by Officine Panerai itself. The case, made as usual out of beautiful polished steel, has the same shape as the very first Luminor (but with a diameter of 44 mm), with more solid horns, in order to resist the ocean’s pressures of up to 300 metros in depth and to all the stresses related to professional underwater activities. The case is completed with a satin and unidirectional rotating bezel (with one-minute click), with a milled edge for easier gripping and reference markers applied to its top with a graduated scale for the first 15 minutes; 15, 30 and 45 minutes are highlighted, while the main reference indicator is covered with Super-Luminova®.
The dark background of the dial features Panerai’s trademark luminescent hour markings along with two large roman numerals. The semi-skeleton hands and the small seconds hand also are coated with luminescent coating while the anti-reflecting sapphire crystal is in place to withstand any pressure with its 3.5mm thick lens.
Basically, if you’re a Panerist and diver… Why are you still reading this? Get out there and find your nearest boutique and buy this watch and a few Panerai straps while you are at it!