For their 20th participation at the Geneva watch show SIHH in January 2017, Panerai extensively updated their collection with five new Submersible models. The Panerai Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Titanio 47mm is a watchmaking classic, updated in detail design and movement. Its large size is counteracted by the use of titanium for the case which makes it lighter than it would be in steel. It is now slimmer than previous versions, due to the new P.9010 movement, an update on the previous P.9000, slimmed down to 6 mm instead of the previous 7.9 mm. The watch has a rugged black rubber strap with a concertina, diver’s type design, and a titanium buckle. The crown protector adds to the powerful identity of the piece.
Dial with differentiated SuperLuminova
The dial is pure simplicity, with date opposite the small seconds subdial, and applied hour markers with SuperLuminova. There is also a large circular marker on the unidirectional rotating bezel. This and the minute hand glow blue in the dark, a feature linked to the Submersible’s diving watch heritage. The minute hand is used with the bezel to calculate dive time. The other hour markings and the hour hand glow green. The small seconds hand is blue, a feature of all Panerai’s watches fitted with the new P.9010 movement. Water resistance is 30 bar, 300 metres.
New P.9010 movement
The watch is powered by the P.9010 movement, designed and made by Panerai. It can be seen through the sapphire caseback, and it has a practical, engineering look generated by the brushed finish. The P.9010 is self-winding, with a power reserve of 72 hours, 3 days. It has the stop second function, stopping the balance wheel when the crown is in the time-setting position, while in another position, the crown can be used to move just the hour hand in one hour intervals. This is useful when changing time zone, or from winter to summer time, or when you need to change the date without compromising the position of the minute hand.
The movement is 31 mm in diameter, so in this 47 mm piece the sapphire window in the caseback is surrounded by a fairly wide band of titanium with lots of room for texts. The balance bridge now has a distinctive seagull-shape design. The balance runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, 4 Hertz. The movement has 200 parts, three more than the P.9000: these are three extra jewels that bring the total to 31 synthetic rubies.
Price and availability
The Panerai Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Titanio 47mm PAM01305 costs €8,900. The watch is available from May 2017.
