Luxurious divers, such as the Omega Seamaster and Rolex Submariner, are its own breed. Capable of reaching depths that only the most superb divers can actually reach, these stylish timepieces are certainly worth their price tag. However, there’s always been one dive watch that, for us, sits at the top of the list in terms of blending style and performance.
Around for over 150 years, Panerai didn’t start its dive watch lineage until the 1930s when it made luminescent dials for Rolex. Then, during World War II, the Italian Navy asked Panerai to develop technology to improve visibility for frogmen who were arming warships underwater. This eventually led to pieces like the Luminor and the Submersible. Now, the Italian watchmaker has created the Submersible Elux LAB-ID, featuring a groundbreaking new mechanical movement that perfects dial lume.
The Problem with Most Lume Options
In terms of dial lume, there are two main options: painted coats such as the seemingly-ubiquitous Super-LumiNova or gas-based tritium. Painted luminescent coats, like glow-in-the-dark objects, use the sun to “charge” their glow, then lasting anywhere from 3 to 8 hours thereafter — sometimes enough to get you through the night but only if you’ve been outside or under a UV light all day long. These all have varying degrees of success depending on a brand’s utilization of the paint. Recently, for instance, IWC mixed Super-LumiNova with ceramic powder to create a fully glowing watch case. Panerai itself gets great use out of Super-LumiNova with its brightly glowing timepieces.
Tritium lume, while significantly less common, is still a favorite for some due to its longevity and low maintenance. You don’t need to charge it like lume paints and it can last you upwards of two decades. Unfortunately, there are some issues with the potential hazards of radiation stored inside the gas tubes used for tritium. Also, the glow isn’t necessarily as bright as well-powered Super-LumiNova.
Panerai Submersible Elux Lab-ID Basics
In terms of the new Submersible Elux LAB-ID, Panerai has looked back at its history rooted in luminosity. The timepiece features a new mechanical movement that stores energy to power the dial’s lume. After seven years of R&D from Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee and four patents, the in-house P.9010/EL automatic caliber stores energy in six barrels — two of which are used for three days of power reserve for the watch itself, while four of which are used for storing electric lume delivered to the hands, indices, and bezel pip via a microgenerator.
By pressing a button at the 8 o’clock position, LEDs light up for 30 minutes at a time. You can press the button again to turn it off. There’s also a power gauge for the light on the bottom of the dial. The LEDs get supplemented with actual Super-LumiNova X2 accents on the indices and hour hand, with Super-LumiNova X1 on the minute hand and bezel pip.
Featuring almost impractical proportions, the watch is 49mm across, 21.9mm thick, and capable of going down 500m underwater. To mitigate the potential heaviness of this watch, Panerai chose to use a titanium-ceramic blend it calls Ti-Ceramitech, which is 44% lighter than steel and has 10 times the fracture toughness of regular ceramic. The watch is also adorned with a blue rubber strap.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 49m
Case Thickness: 21.9mm
Case Material: Ti-Ceramitech
Water Resistance: 500m
Movement: In-house Caliber P.9010/EL automatic
Band: Blue rubber strap
Limited Edition?: Yes, 150
Pricing & Availability
Limited in edition size of 150 pieces total, the Submersible Elux Lab-ID will be delivered in waves of 50 per year, starting this October. But that’s only for those who can afford the $96,300 price tag. Head over to Panerai’s website to learn more.
Recap
Panerai Submersible Elux Lab-ID
Panerai’s new Submersible diver uses an intricate mechanical movement that also powers the dial’s lume.
