Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Watch Review
This year, Panerai, the Italian-Swiss watch brand, has added three new models to its highly popular Submersible collection: the Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Carbotech™️ Blue Abisso PAM01232, the Submersible QuarantaQuattro Bianco PAM01226 and the Submersible QuarantaQuattro PAM01229. Each variant upholds the brand’s reputation for accomplished design and notable practicality. Carl Eady provides an insightful look at this horological triumvirate, released just a few months ago at Watches & Wonders 2022.
Panerai and the Royal Italian Navy
Italian watchmaking house, Panerai, has created a unique persona that has led to the firm’s incredible brand recognition. The company’s first foray into the watch world was in response to a request from the Italian Navy back in the 1930s. Thanks to his work supplying a variety of nautical instruments such as mechanical depth gauges, each featuring the company’s patented ‘Radiomir’ luminescent treatment, Giovanni Panerai had already earned a favourable reputation with the Navy. Indeed, the Navy’s trust in him led to a request for timepieces for one of its elite naval units ‘The Command of the 1st Submersible Group of the Navy’. At the time, Panerai was not a watchmaker but a precision instrument maker. To fulfil this request, Giovanni sourced a batch of Rolex watches and set about fashioning a waterproof case for them. The most successful of these early prototypes was the Ref 2533, which was so well received by the Navy that it granted Panerai ‘official watch provider’ status.
The ‘Paneristi’
It was during the 1940s that Panerai adopted its now iconic design language for the first time, including its distinctive leitmotif. Indeed, large cushion-shaped cases, luminescent markers and bold Arabic numerals, positioned at the cardinal positions, have become the brand’s enduring design codes. Panerai has expertly managed the transition from its initial ‘function over form’ approach to horology to where it is now, a producer of luxury watches. Over the years, it has created several eye-catching collections, including the Luminor, Radiomir and Submersible. This has led to the brand attracting legions of devoted fans, the so-called ‘Paneristi’. No doubt drawn to the models’ supreme legibility, admirable diving credentials and bold styling, this bunch of brand devotees are incredibly passionate about the firm.
Panerai L’Egiziano
The first Panerai to receive the Submersible moniker appeared in 1998, during the visionary stewardship of former CEO, Angelo Bonati. Launched as part of the Luminor family, it was loosely based on a piece known as ‘L’Egiziano’, a watch the brand developed for the Egyptian Navy. It sported a cushion-shaped case, proffered impressive water resistance and included the brand’s unique, and now iconic, crown guard. The model also came equipped with a unidirectional bezel to assist divers in calculating how much time they had left before having to resurface; an essential requirement for subaquatic exploration.
In 2019, Panerai, clearly buoyed by the popularity of the Submersible, decided to make it a standalone collection.
Panerai Submersible
The original Submersibles were imposing behemoths measuring 47 mm in diameter. However, what may be perfect for the deepest marine adventures is not necessarily ideal for today’s ‘desk diver.’ Panerai has always been attentive to customers’ desires and has repeatedly shown that it understands the importance of case dimensions. In 2017, the luxury marque shaved 5mm from the Submersible case, creating a very wearable 42mm case option. In so doing, it attracted a whole new audience and breathed new life into the Submersible line.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – three versions
This year, with the release of the Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro, the Italian-Swiss brand has delivered an intermediary-sized case measuring 44 mm in diameter. In itself, a new case size may not sound revolutionary, however, Panerai can now boast that it can supply the Submersible in a broad range of sizes, perfectly suiting a multitude of different wearer’s wrists. The Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro is offered in three versions, each sporting its own distinctive coloured dial and/or case material.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – case
When you have a winning formula, the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it’ seems a sensible policy. All the endearing hallmarks of Panerai remain: the prominent crown guard, the impressive 300m water resistance and the bold cushion-shaped case. The unidirectional bezel, used to measure dive submersion times, upholds the Submersible’s DNA. A simple white hour marker, filled with bright white Super-LumiNova, is located at 12 o’clock. The 15, 30 and 45-minute markers feature Arabic numerals further enriching the bezel’s appearance. The remaining hour markers line up with their counterparts on the dial.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – Carbotech™ Blu Abisso (PAM 01232)
The flagship model is the Carbotech™ Blu Abisso (PAM 01232), which, as its names implies, is encased in the cutting-edge material, ‘Carbotech™’. In 2015, when this lightweight material was first used by the Italian-Swiss firm for the Submersible 1950 (PAM616) it was nothing less than revolutionary.
Despite Carbotech™ being previously used in a variety of industries, such as aeronautics, motorsports and biomedicine, Panerai was the first firm in the watch industry to use it. This lightweight material is made from sheets of carbon fibre that are bound together at a high temperature, under high pressure, and with the addition of high-end polymer, PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone). Carbotech™️ proves incredibly strong and durable while its matte-black grained appearance resembles Damascus steel. Carbotech™ has an irregular finish, bestowing each case with a unique appearance.
The non Carbotech™ versions are presented in 316L stainless steel. Measuring 44mm in diameter and with a thickness of 13.3mm, these versions of the Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro deliver the customary wrist presence that brand devotees adore. Each case component is finely brushed, perfectly contrasting with the available, black or white, dial options.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – dial
The time is indicated with broad, sword-shaped hands. These are partly skeletonised and feature prominent tips coated in white SuperLumiNova™. The outline of the hands fitted to the Blu Abisso model has also been picked out in white, delivering extra contrast with the neighbouring blue dial.
Supreme legibility is synonymous with the Panerai brand, an essential ingredient that differentiates the firm’s models from most of its rivals. Naturally, being a divers’ watch the legibility proves excellent. A subtle detail, appreciated by divers, is the contrasting blue lume on the minute hand which stands out from the vibrant green indexes and hour hand. The minute hand is of great importance to divers, especially when they are using the bezel to countdown elapsed time.
A small seconds display is positioned at 9 o’clock, whilst a date aperture is positioned opposite at 3 o’clock. When compared with previous Submersibles, these new references feature a more refined date aperture that incorporates an angular recessed frame.
As for the stainless-steel editions, the options are a white ‘Bianco’ dial or a jet black dial incorporating tasteful blue accents.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – P900 caliber
Powering each version of the QuarantoQuattro is Panerai’s P900 movement. Designed to cope with the knocks sometimes experienced when diving, the P900’s balance includes Incabloc™ anti-shock protection. The balance has a cadence of 4Hz and the movement is comprised of 171 parts, including 23 jewels. Equipped with a single barrel, the P900 caliber will run autonomously for 3 days, providing the mainspring is fully tensioned.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – strap
Each Submersible QuarantaQuattro comes supplied on a Caoutchouc rubber strap made with 30% recycled materials. The versions with blue and black dials have colour-matching straps, whilst the Bianco edition is paired with a vivid green strap, imbuing it with a military vibe. A degree of flexibility is built into the strap with accordion detailing, allowing a snug fit when the wrist is compressed in deep water. Panerai also supplies a fabric strap with each of these watches. Made from 68% recycled materials, these provide a lightweight alternative that is less imposing than rubber.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro – closing thoughts
Any brand that listens to its fanbase and delivers products that meet its desires deserves to succeed. Having released a 42mm version of the Submersible and, more recently, following up with the 44mm ‘QuarantaQuattro’, the Submersible collection now meets the expectations of a much wider audience. After all, most of us lack the physique of a Schwarzenegger or Stallone and are unable to wear a 47mm timepiece with quite the same aplomb. Even at 44mm, the Submersible’s iconic style and wrist presence ensure it will always exhibit a note of ‘Alpha Male’ chutzpah.
The two steel versions will undoubtedly appeal to the devout members of the Paneristi. Furthermore, by coupling the watches with straps made from recycled materials these Panerai models also tick the ‘eco-friendly’ box. The brand’s commitment to a more sustainable path to watchmaking has been further enhanced with the subsequent release of three more QuarantaQuattro pieces in ESteel™ with ceramic bezels. Over 50% of the weight of each ESteel™watch is made from recycled materials.
Thanks to the pioneering work undertaken at the brand’s ‘Laboratorio di Idee’ (aka Mind Box), Panerai has kept itself at the forefront of material science and micro-engineering, while never losing sight of the company’s origins and heritage. The ultra-lightweight Carbotech™ Blue Abisso stands as a wonderful testament to the firm’s ingenuity. Indeed, with its matte black grain effect, Carbotech™ elevates the aesthetic allure of the Submersible to a whole new level.
Panerai’s ability to master both form and function ensures it continues to flourish. The marque constantly offers new, ingenious materials and, by default, interesting watches infused with profound appeal. With the advent of the QuarantaQuattro, the Paneristi have much to celebrate.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Carbotech™️ Blue Abisso PAM01232
- Case: Carbotech™️; diameter 44 mm; water resistance 30 ATM (300 m); sapphire crystal to the front. Solid case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds.
- Movement: P.900 caliber; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 23 jewels; power reserve 3 days
- Strap: Caoutchouc (rubber) blue, STD, 24/22, BA. Trapezoidal titanium with DLC coated buckle
- Price: £15,000 (RRP as of 25.6.2022)
- Model: Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Bianco PAM01226
- Case: Stainless steel 316L; diameter 44 mm; water resistance 30 ATM (300 m); sapphire crystal to the front. Solid case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds.
- Movement: P.900 caliber; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 23 jewels; power reserve 3 days
- Strap: Caoutchouc Military Green, STD, 24/22, BA. Trapezoidal brushed steel buckle
- Price: £7,900 (RRP as of 25.6.2022)
- Model: Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro PAM01229
- Case: Stainless steel 316L; diameter 44 mm; water resistance 30 ATM (300 m); sapphire crystal to the front. Solid case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds.
- Movement: P.900 caliber; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 23 jewels; power reserve 3 days
- Strap: Caoutchouc (rubber) Black, STD, 24/22, BA. Trapezoidal brushed steel buckle
- Price: £7,900 (RRP as of 25.6.2022)