Panerai is pioneering a new revolution in watchmaking with its release of the Submersible eLAB-ID™. This watch has the highest percentage of recycled-based material ever made. It leads the horology world in a movement toward greater environmentally responsible manufacturing.
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Panerai has a rich tradition in watchmaking. With origins beginning in the 1860s, Panerai supplied precision instruments to meet the requirements of the Italian Royal Navy. And the brand’s men’s luxury watches are the perfect mix between Italian design and Swiss technology. They really are pieces of art for the wrist.
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The new Panerai is also the first to use 100 percent recycled SuperLuminova on its dial (with small seconds at the 9 o’clock position) and hands and 100 percent recycled silicon for its movement escapement. Even features such as the dazzling sapphire crystal and gold hands contain recycled-based material. It is Panerai’s invitation to the watchmaking community to transition into making watches that reduce the need for the extraction of raw materials associated with high environmental impact.
Brushed EcoTitanium case
To bring this project into fruition, Panerai had to collaborate with a wide range of new partners. And that includes suppliers from the aerospace and automobile industries. Many of the partners, such as Siltronix ST (known for its high tech silicon products) and ProCadrans (responsible for the EcoTitanium dial) have never worked with such high levels of recycled content.
The watch features an automatic P.900e caliber movement. It is 4.2mm thick with 22 jewels (17 of which are recycled), producing 28,800 rotations/hour. The Panerai also has an Incabloc™ anti-shock system. The movement provides a generous 72 hours of power reserve.
The unidirectional rotating bezel with polished knurling features an aqua-blue triangle at the 12 o’clock position matching the hour markers.
Environmentally-friendly trendsetter
The Brushed EcoTitanium case is 44mm in diameter. So it will likely fit larger for those with smaller wrist sizes. The Safety Lock crown protection device is unique to Panerai, setting you apart from the crowd. The screwed caseback is also made of EcoTitanium.
The grey recycled Grigio Roccia fabric strap features light blue stitching and a trapezoidal EcoTitanium buckle. The Submersible eLab-ID has a water resistance of 300 meters.
If you’re looking for a luxury dive watch while factoring in what’s best for the environment, the Submersible eLab-ID might be the watch for you. It combines history, style and ingenuity into one exquisite package. Price: $78,300, limited edition.
Daron Halajian received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ryerson University. He has worked for American Express as a Travel and Lifestyle Consultant servicing elite clientele. He writes in both English and Armenian and his works have appeared in publications in Beirut, Los Angeles, Montreal and Toronto.
