A brand synonymous with the Italian Royal Navy, Panerai has had a long and illustrious history, manufacturing military watches and optical instruments. The brand’s past has constantly been a strong pillar of its product line-up. The new Panerai Submersible Elux, exemplifies this withan innovative on-demand lighting powered entirely by mechanical energy.

This ground-breaking timepiece – designated PAM01800 – is  a watchmaking feat with its features four patented systems that provides it with a 50 bar (~500 meters) water resistance and a 30-minute power light feature.

A Revolution in Mechanical Luminescence

Reflecting eight years of dedicated Research & Development by Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee in Neuchâtel, the PAM01800 exemplifies Panerai’s historic expertise in luminescence and mechanical watchmaking.

The creation of a fully mechanical movement that can power light on demand is achieved through an innovative arrangement of four dedicated energy-storing barrels – out of six available in the movement – precisely engineered to unwind in a microgenerator that converts mechanical energy into electricity. The remaining two barrels maintain the precision of the P.9010/EL over the three days power reserve even if the power light energy is depleted.

Pioneering Materials

To match the intricate inner workings, PAM01800 is set in a Ti-Ceramitech™ case, crafted from ceramized titanium, a pending patent material by Panerai. Ti-Ceramitech is a material seven years in the making by Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee and is 44% lighter than steel but has a fracture toughness ten times higher than traditional ceramic.

Completing the watch’s aesthetics are the indices and the hour hand accented with green SuperLuminova X2 – a deliberate choice that evokes its luminescent vibrancy – now in a new grade that ensures a luminosity 10% higher than SuperLuminova X1 after 180 minutes in the dark.

Limited Production

The Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID PAM01800 is offered as a limited-edition run of 150 pieces, with an availability of 50 pieces per year over three years. The 49mm timepiece retails for EUR 108,000 or MYR 461,700.

(Images: Panerai)