BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Panerai recently expanded its tough as nails Submersible collection. The new Panerai Submersible Azzurro 42mm limited edition comes with a black dial and a blue ceramic bezel insert. Let’s have a quick look.
Panerai’s submersible collection comprises some of the most serious and capable dive watches that the brand produces. Not only is the submersible line packed with modern tech, but it also deviates slightly from the more familiar Panerai aesthetic. For instance, the face of the new Azzurro like many of its siblings features an applied lume filled hour index which is a mix of circles and batons. The use of applied markings gives the dial a nice sense of depth and helps the watch emit a more tool like vibe when compared to the traditional Panerai’s that are characterized by bold Arabic numerals. To reflect on the ‘Azzurro’ (meaning blue in Italian) title, the Matt black dial gets some nice blue touches in the form of the “Submersible” text at 12 and the depth rating at 6. The hour and minute hands are skeletonized swords whereas the seconds hand has a leaf style shape. The entire handset has also been filled with luminous paint for better low light visibility. And finally, to complete the dial there is a date window at 3, that nicely balances out the subsidiary seconds dial at 9.
The case on the “Azzuro” has been crafted from stainless steel. It measures 42mm in diameter and features a familiar masculine design with short chunky lugs and the signature Panerai crown mechanism at 3 that keeps the watch water-resistant to 300 meters. However, like the dial, the case on the Submersible watches is slightly different when compared to regular Panerai models, which is due to the inclusion of a bezel. The presence of a uni-directional bezel makes the submersible a more practical dive watch and adds to the rugged look. The bezel has a ceramic bezel insert and features applied circular markings. And once again to highlight the Azzurro connection, the bezel has been presented in blue that provides a nice contrast against the steel body.
Driving the watch is Panerai’s in-house P.900 caliber. This is an automatic movement that operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and offers a power reserve of 72 hours. The movement has been hidden behind a closed case back that has been nicely engraved with a Submarine motif.
The new Panerai Submersible Azzurro 42mm Limited Edition comes attached to a black rubber strap with pin buckle. The watch is limited to just 500 pieces and the retail price has been set at USD 9,800.
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