Few watchmakers can claim a bond with military forces as deep as Panerai’s century-long partnership with the Italian Navy. The latest chapter in this story comes in the form of the Submersible Marina Militare PAM01697 and Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech PAM01698 — two professional-grade dive watches that channel naval aviation heritage while embracing modern engineering.
More Than a Collaboration — A Century of Service
Panerai’s roots stretch back to supplying precision tools to the Marina Militare in the early 1900s, including depth gauges, compasses, and luminous instruments for elite frogmen. This latest release salutes the Aviazione Navale, the Navy’s aviation wing, with design cues and technical features built for both utility and symbolism. The PAM01697, crafted in stainless steel, and the PAM01698, made from the brand’s proprietary Carbotech composite, embody the blend of durability and identity that has defined Panerai since its earliest contracts with the Italian armed forces.
Built for Extremes
Inside both watches beats the P.900 automatic calibre, just 4.2 mm thick yet delivering a solid three-day power reserve. The movement includes a hacking seconds function, a must for precise time-setting in professional contexts. Measuring 44 mm across, the cases feature screw-down backs engraved with the Aviazione Navale emblem — the first time this insignia has appeared on a Panerai caseback.
The PAM01697 pairs its brushed steel case with a matte green ceramic bezel, offering scratch resistance and a distinct mission-ready look. The PAM01698’s Carbotech case, layered from carbon fibre sheets bonded with high-end polymers, is lighter than titanium and uniquely patterned for each watch. Both are rated to 300 metres of water resistance, with Panerai testing them to 25% beyond the stated depth to guarantee performance in real-world extremes.
A Dial That Speaks the Language of the Navy
The dial tone is a deep military green fading into black, evoking the flight gear and helmets of naval aviators. Oversized indexes — enlarged by 20% compared to previous Submersibles — are filled with X2-grade grey Super-LumiNova, offering 45% more luminous surface for maximum readability in low light. At 9 o’clock, a small seconds subdial recalls a radar screen, complete with a subtle anchor emblem at its centre, while the Marina Militare wording at 6 o’clock leaves no doubt about the watch’s identity.
These watches are more than commemorative pieces — they are designed to be worn and used, equally at home on a mission, in open water, or as a daily companion for those who want a genuine tool watch with an unbroken line to its military origins.
Perspective and Pricing
Panerai’s Submersible line has always been about professional-grade reliability, but the PAM01697 and PAM01698 add an extra layer of storytelling rooted in a century of service. For those who want steel’s reassuring heft, the PAM01697 comes in at $12,500 USD. For collectors drawn to advanced materials and a stealth aesthetic, the PAM01698 in Carbotech is priced at $19,500 USD. Both are available now through authorized Panerai boutiques and select retailers.
For enthusiasts, these aren’t just watches — they’re living artifacts, carrying the DNA of the missions, the men, and the machines that inspired them. Which kind of reminds us of another Panerai‘s recent releases : the duo of Luminor Luna Rossa 2025.
