Panerai’s connection with the military runs deep. During World War II, the Italian Navy tasked the watchmaker to develop timepieces that would be visible for frogmen underwater. The result was eventually sold to civilians in the late ‘90s and called the Luminor Submersible. Since then, countless Submersible variants have graced the market.
Recently, Panerai partnered with the U.S. Navy SEALs on two different versions of the Submersible GMT: one using the former’s Carbotech compressed carbon fiber template and the other sporting a 316L steel case with a black degradé anthracite dial. Both watches boast the same capabilities, like the 44mm case diameter (a first for the Submersible GMT), 300m diving depth, and a P.900 automatic movement. However, the dial on the lightweight Carbotech features forged carbon fiber reminiscent of the camo used by the SEALs.
Aside from the emblem embossed into the titanium caseback, other SEALs-specific nods include the seconds subdial designed to look like a radar target and the yellow-gold accent color on the hands, crown, and bezel (the last two only on the Carbotech), which is the same color as the golden trident on the Special Warfare insignia. Likewise, the secondary strap sports the same black and gray camo pattern worn by the task force.
While the steel version is limited to 500 pieces, the Submersible GMT Carbotech is limited to just 162 — an homage to the year the SEALs were officially founded (1962) — and priced at $10,100 and $20,800, respectively, on Panerai’s website.
