Introducing: The Panerai Submersible Azzurro 42MM Limited Edition

August 26, 2020

The Panerai Submersible is the most robust watch Panerai makes today, a highly water-resistant dive watch with large luminous indexes and a unidirectional bezel. Until recently, the Submersible was part of the larger Luminor collection, but since 2019, it's been broken out as its own proper collection of tool watches. Today, we're looking at the limited edition stainless steel Submersible Azzurro, Italian for "light blue." Its design blends those of the two core steel Submersibles released early last year: PAM00683, with its black dial, and PAM00959, with its blue ceramic bezel insert. The movement is also the same, with the same 72 hours of power reserve and 28,800 vph rate, but it's now known as the P.900. You may recall that last year's mainline Subs had what was known as the OP XXXIV movement, which Panerai has renamed as the P.900.?In all three cases, the movement is tucked away behind a screwed-down stainless steel caseback. The price of $9,800 also matches that of the aforementioned unlimited versions. Initial Thoughts Two of my favorite Panerai releases in recent memory are the PAM00959 and the PAM00683, the current-generation mainline Submersibles. The former's pairing of a blue bezel and a textured sharkskin-colored dial brought a freshness and summer vibe to the Submersible that I found pretty irresistible upon first seeing it, and it still strikes me as the best Submersible design to date. The latter presented a more classic take, with its black dial and black ceramic bezel. On first seeing the new Submersible Azzuro, it immediately struck me as a great-looking combination of these watches' aesthetics. Matched with a black rubber strap, it offers a pop of color on the bezel that serves as a nice accent without distracting from the classic Submersible look.? I like Panerai's decision to break out the Submersible line as its own collection. You'll notice that these are no longer Luminor Submersibles. For one thing, there are enough variations, complications, and limited editions within the Submersible range to justify its existence as a separate pillar of Panerai; and for another, it's a legitimate tool watch in a way that some other recent Panerai introductions aren't C the 30-meter-rated Luminor Due models, for example. From what I've observed, the Luminor Due has carved out a successful niche while bringing the Panerai aesthetic to a whole new form factor and consumers who wanted a sub-40mm Panerai. In addition to being a legitimate design object in the way that I think the Luminor and the Radiomir are, the Submersible is a tough and ready tool watch for divers, and with the new taxonomy, there's no mistaking that. The Panerai Submersible Azzurro 42MM Limited Edition of 500 pieces will be available exclusively through Panerai's own e-commerce platform starting in September, but if you're interested in securing one sooner, the brand says pre-orders are being taken starting now. The Basics Brand: PaneraiModel: Submersible Azzurro 42MM Limited EditionReference Number: PAM01209Diameter: 42mmThickness: 13.2mm thickCase Material: Satin AISI 316L steelDial Color: BlackIndexes: Applied framed luminous markersLume: Super-LumiNova with green-blue luminescenceWater Resistance: 30 bar Strap/Bracelet: Black rubber strap with pin buckle The Movement Caliber: P.900Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at nine o'clock, dateDiameter: 12.5 lignesThickness: 4.2mmPower Reserve: 72 hours (three days)Winding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800 vphJewels: 23 jewels Pricing & Availability Price: $9,800Availability: Available in September, but pre-orders are being taken now.Limited Edition: 500 pieces, available exclusively through Panerai's e-commence platformFor more, Panerai.