Cooperation between Panerai and German after-market specialist atelier Brabus, famous for its bold and high-tech approach to re-design and tuning powerful machines, seems a natural fit. Brabus editions of cars and boats are not meant for the faint-hearted. And the Panerai Submersible collection with combat-ready-looking watches offered in case sizes measuring 42mm, 44mm and 47mm is not created for a milquetoast. And at 47mm, the new Panerai Submersible S Brabus Verde Militare PAM01283 is certainly part of this breed.
This new addition to the Submersible S series launched in collaboration with the Brabus Marine is already the fourth in line. The exceptional Experience, Black Ops and Blue Shadow models were released in the previous two years. The Panerai Submersible S Brabus Verde Militare is similar to the 2021 Black Ops edition, with a skeletonised movement and well-designed open dial. It is sporting new colour accents to match the paint scheme of the boat that inspired this creation – the Brabus Shadow 900 Stealth Green, built by Axopar Boats based in Finland.
The large 47mm case of the Verde Militare PAM01283, the unidirectional, anti-clockwise rotating bezel and the trademark Panerai crown protection and locking mechanism are made of Carbotech. This material is lighter than titanium and highly resistant to corrosion. The dark carbon composite surfaces show rather subtle wave-like patterns; together with the military green-coloured hands, indices and crown, they convey a camouflaged appearance, which never goes out of style. The watch has 300m of water-resistance and offers a GMT function and an “optical polar date”, a date window display at 3 o’clock with no visible date disk underneath. This effect is possible because the date wheel and the date window are angled 90 degrees and act as polarisers, and there is a reflector – a piece of polished metal to assist. It is quite an innovative solution, and Panerai engineers and designers proudly mention its name in white print on the dial’s outer green flange.
The GMT hand indicates a second time zone, the day-night indicator you see at 9 o’clock, and the steering wheel-shaped bridge with the Brabus logo not to miss at 7 o’clock. You will also find the Brabus text logo on the crown locking lever and the titanium DLC-coated caseback. The caseback features a see-through sapphire and offers a view of the P.4001/s automatic skeleton GMT movement, not so much revealed dial-side. The tungsten rotor catches the eye, with other elements, like the net of bridges, the mainspring barrels, the red triangle of the 3-day power reserve indicator and the Glucydur balance creating a pleasing but still stealth-inspired image.
The Panerai Submersible S Brabus Verde Militare PAM01283 is a limited edition of 200 pieces, and the price is $270. The watch is offered on a calfskin rubber bi-material black strap with green stitching, with a titanium buckle with DLC coating.