WATCH COLLECTING LIFESTYLE

View Original

Insider: Panerai Submersible GMT Navy SEALs PAM01323. A 500-Piece Limited Edition.

A little over a month ago, Panerai launched three new watches in partnership with the U.S. Navy SEALs and the elite military force inspired three watches within the Submersible collection. The three new watches include the Submersible Navy SEALs Carbotech PAM01324 in a limited edition of 162 pieces —44 mm Carbotech case— honoring 1962, the founding year of the SEALs; the Submersible Navy SEALs Experience Edition PAM01325 in a limited edition of 20 pieces—47 mm black DLC coated titanium—; and the Submersible GMT Navy SEALs PAM01323 in a limited edition of 500 pieces —44 mm stainless case— we have here under review.

For Panerai creating timepieces for the Italian Navy helped solidify the brand’s connection to the sea and now the legacy continues through these Navy SEALs Submersible timepieces developed with the approval of the elite military force.


Things to Know About the Watch

The new Panerai Submersible GMT Navy SEALs is limited to 500 pieces with 62 of them exclusively sold to active and retired SEALs. Cased in a 44 mm brushed stainless steel case, the watch features a graduated bezel with lustrous counterpoints and a degradé anthracite dial with luminous hour markers and dots. The dial features a date aperture at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 9 o’clock, and a bright yellow arrow-shaped GMT hand.

Bright yellow accents on each hand and the numerals in the date window enhance readability, as do the large dots on the dial. This watch also sports a black rubberized crown —like an O-ring on the crown— that makes things more interesting and adds a cool touch that is not present on other Submersible models. The seconds’ indicator at 9 o’clock features a sniper bullseye target in white and yellow. All hands are constructed matte black, therefore, the yellow and white accents provide incredible readability.

All transfers on the dial are white and at 6 o’clock there is a ‘NAVY SEALS’ writing. The calendar disc is black to provide greater contrast and the font in yellow appears slightly different in hue from the rest of the yellow elements on the dial. Not sure why Panerai didn’t make this font the exact same hue of yellow as the rest of the accents on the dial.

The watch comes with the accordion black rubber strap with a trapezoidal brushed steel buckle and a second bi-material option with the same black and gray camouflage pattern worn by the Navy SEALs. A tool included with the watch allows easy interchangeability of the straps. Overall, the color scheme of this watch is very nice and the combination between the grey and yellow elements works remarkably.


The Movement

The new Panerai Submersible GMT Navy SEALs PAM01323 is powered by the in-house Panerai calibre P.900. This 23-jewel automatic movement is composed of 171 parts and fitted with one spring barrel to guarantee a power reserve of 3 full days.

The movement is protected by a solid case back with the U.S. Navy SEALs trident logo over a stars and stripes motif with the words ‘United States Navy Seals’, and the individual number along with the limited edition information. The Navy SEALs trident features an eagle clutching a flintlock-style pistol, a trident, and an anchor conveying the sea, air, and land capabilities of these U.S. Navy special forces.


On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the Panerai Submersible GMT Navy SEALs PAM01323 wears true to its size and is very comfortable. This collaboration is by far one of our favorites in the most recent releases by the brand. The watch is available in a limited edition of 500 pieces and is priced just right.

Sticker Price $10,100 USD. For more info on Officine Panerai click here.