Seemingly, a simple Panerai Replica diving watch. In fact – a breakthrough in terms of dial illumination and materials used. The Submersible Elux LAB-ID model is a masterpiece by Panerai.
If we asked watch lovers which brands you associate most with innovation, the list (in no particular order) would probably include Richard Mille, A. Lange & Söhne, Bulgari, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin. But there is one more brand that deserves recognition, namely Panerai.
The Elux concept has been used anew in the Submersible Elux LAB-ID model and in a mechanical form, because the light switching function is integrated with the traditional mechanism. The technology used in this watch is, of course, different from that once used in military instruments. The work on its development took eight years, but the effect is spectacular: the engineers managed to achieve very bright illumination of the hour markers, hands and several other elements on the dial, which glow with strong green or blue light.
How it works? After unlocking the protection (also patent pending) and pressing the button, the energy accumulated in the four drums is transformed by a microgenerator (dimensions: 8 x 2.3 mm) into electricity, which powers the LEDs located under the dial and the shining point on the rotating ring. . However, both the dial and the hour hand are additionally coated with Super-Luminova X2, which shines brighter than the usual Super-Luminova.
However, it has a diameter of 49 mm and a height of 21.6 mm, and is made of Ti-Ceramitech material, i.e. titanium covered with a ceramic coating in a complex electrolytic oxidation process (Panerai has filed a patent for this process). The resulting dark blue Ti-Ceramitech has a matte surface and is ten times more resistant to cracking than standard ceramics, while being 44% lighter than steel.
Availability and price
The complexity of the Submersible Elux LAB-ID model affects the number of pieces produced by Panerai. According to the manufacturer, the watch will be made in a limited series of 150 pieces, which will be produced over the next three years: 50 pieces per year. And the price? It amounts to EUR 108,000 (~PLN 469,500).
