Panerai’s journey in luminescence began with the Radiomir and Luminor, names synonymous with nighttime visibility and military-grade endurance. These technologies were not just about making the watches readable in the dark—they were about reliability in stressful situations, a trait that has been cherished by the Italian Navy since it commissioned the manufacture to design the Radiomir in 1936.
Fast-forward to today: the new Submersible Elux Lab-ID does not merely revisit this illustrious past; it revolutionises it. The Lab-ID harnesses a technology patented in 1966 known as Elux, originally an electroluminescent technology used in naval applications. Elux has been reimagined in a purely mechanical avatar, pushing the boundaries of what mechanical watches can achieve in terms of self-powered lighting.
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Panerai Elux Lab-ID PAM01800 (Photo: courtesy of Panerai)
At the heart of the PAM01800 lies the sophisticated P.9010/EL calibre. This movement is engineered with six barrels—four dedicated to powering the luminescent system and two reserved for timekeeping. This dual-purpose mechanism ensures that the watch not only keeps accurate time but also provides up to 30 minutes of continuous light on demand, a groundbreaking feature for a mechanical watch.
The innovation does not stop at the movement. The watch’s case is crafted from a blue Ti-Ceramitech, a material resulting from seven years of R&D, which involves a plasma electrolytic oxidation process that gives the titanium’s surface a ceramic-like finish. This not only offers an aesthetic nod to the open seas but also provides exceptional durability and lightness.
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Panerai Elux Lab-ID PAM01800 (Photo: courtesy of Panerai)
The PAM01800’s design is quintessentially Panerai, with its large, 49mm case ensuring a bold wrist presence. The patented pusher-protector system guards the crown and activates the lighting mechanism—a simple yet profound interaction between the wearer and the watch.
On the dial is a linear Power Light reserve indicator. This, along with the small seconds at nine o’clock and the luminescent hands and indices, ensures legibility in any condition. Additionally, the bezel is equipped with a unique luminescent system that enhances usability, and is particularly useful for divers calculating immersion time.
Limited to just 150 pieces, this timepiece is as exclusive as it is revolutionary.
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