Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition PAM01699 Watch Review
The Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition PAM01699 is the latest creation to emerge from the brand’s Manufacture in Neuchâtel. Drawing on its close ties with the Italian Navy, Panerai invites thrill-seekers to join the Aviazione Navale (the Italian Navy aviation branch) for 3 days of action-packed fun. Angus Davies explores the specification of this limited-edition model, a must-have watch for any self-respecting Paneristi.
Panerai Experience Editions since 2019
Every year, a few weeks before my birthday, my wife asks the same question, ‘Is there anything you would like for your birthday?’ Thereafter, she utters the same words, ‘You’re so difficult to buy for, you have everything!’ However, this last statement is subject to opinion. I don’t have a Bentley Continental GT on my drive, I’m not attired in a Huntsman suit with a pair of John Lobb shoes gracing my feet and, sadly, I don’t possess a Fabergé egg. Indeed, ‘everything’ is simply a matter of perspective. Nevertheless, there will be some individuals who possess said items and more, much more. So, how do brands engage with these well-heeled consumers who seemingly have everything they could ever wish for? The answer is to offer them ‘experiences’.
Just imagine a luxury marque offering you the chance to stroll the red carpet at the Oscars, draped in their jewellery. It’s an experience few individuals will have the chance to enjoy, irrespective of their bank balance. Alternatively, imagine purchasing a stable full of prancing horses and then having the chance to spend time in the garage of the iconic race team chatting to Charles and Lewis. These experiences are often limited in number and are not sold as stand-alone products or services, but cleverly bundled with significant purchases.
Panerai, the Italian-Swiss watch company, recognised the potential of combining an experience with a product when it unveiled the Submersible Marina Militaire Carbotech PAM00961 back in September 2019. Not only did clients acquire a high-tech military-themed watch, they were also invited to participate in various activities, ‘on land, sea, and air, all under the vigilant supervision of Combusin, the Italian Navy Military Special Forces’. The event, held over two days in La Spezia, Italy, was offered to owners of the rare, limited edition watch (34 pieces).
The concept was evidently successful as Panerai has repeated the experience model again and again. Indeed, some clients have been offered the chance to explore the waters off the coast of French Polynesia with free-diving legend Guillaume Néry, sail aboard the vintage yacht Eilean (featured in the Duran Duran Rio video), or venture into the Arctic wilderness with Mike Horn. The creativity of the brand’s marketing department seems boundless.
Panerai & Marina Militaire
Recently, the luxury firm based in Neuchâtel launched a new watch, the Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition PAM01699 and, in keeping with the brand’s previous ‘Experience Edition’ models, it too comes with an adrenaline-rich adventure. The model, limited to 35 pieces, features many technical refinements (see later) and perpetuates the firm’s longstanding relationship with the Italian Royal Navy.
Back in 1916, Guido Panerai filed a patent for a highly luminescent compound named ‘Radiomir’. At the time, the company supplied various instruments, such as gun sights to the Italian Royal Navy, hence Radiomir enhanced their readability in poor light conditions. Later, in 1935, Giuseppe Panerai developed a prototype watch fitted with a Rolex base movement, intended for subaquatic use, once again for the Italian Royal Navy. Now, billed as the fifth experience, the Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition PAM01699 draws on the close ties between the watch firm and the Italian Navy.
With this latest reference, purchasers have the chance to spend time with the Italian Navy aviation branch and partake in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As the company explains, ‘Set against the stunning backdrop of Puglia, Italy, at the Naval Air Station in Grottaglie, participants will step into the shoes of a modern hero for three days. They will learn the uncompromising discipline of the Military Corps, participating in thrilling military training activities while gaining rare insight into their usual naval aviation operations through tactical simulations and helicopter missions. Beyond that, guests will have the opportunity to flank aircrew during their flight activity, and soak in the authentic atmosphere of southern Italian culture.’
Setting aside the fun-filled three day adventure, there is also the matter of the watch, the Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition. Hereafter, I explore the model’s specification in detail.
Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition – dial
The dial is executed in a ‘green-grained’ hue and sports a black gradient finish. Plump hour and minute hands collaborate with circular indexes and baton-style hour markers, indicating the prevailing time. The dial features two subdials, one of which is a small seconds equipped with a reset function, ideal for synchronising with a reference clock/watch.
Two coaxial, centrally positioned hands measure elapsed seconds and minutes. The PAM01699 features a flyback chronograph, a useful feature that allows the wearer to stop, reset and start with one press of the pusher (8 o’clock). The watch also features a ‘target countdown’ function that is adjusted with the push-button at 4 o’clock and activated by the pushpiece at 10 o’clock.
As you would expect of Panerai, there is an abundance of nocturnal lume with informative splashes of green visible in dim light, save for the tip of the minute hand and pip at noon, which are presented in a contrasting blue hue. This particular feature surpasses mere style, proving highly useful when operating underwater.
Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition – case
Measuring 47 mm in diameter, the Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition PAM01699 has a fulsome torso that provides sufficient room for each dial indication to breathe, aiding readability. However, there is no need to worry about the weight of this watch as the housing is formed of lightweight Grade 5 titanium, an alloy composed of approximately 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. As well as having a low mass, it is strong, not liable to corrode, anti-magnetic and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal companion for both military operations as well as life on ‘Civvy Street’.
The bezel features a ceramic insert, which is scratch-resistant and not liable to fade with the onset of years. Moreover, the bezel is unidirectional, a prerequisite for professional diving, and the watch is water resistant to 500 metres.
The crown is shrouded with the brand’s iconic protection device, much loved by the Paneristi. Upholding divers’ watch convention, the PAM01699 features a closed caseback (screwed titanium) which bears various inscriptions, including ‘Marina Militare’ and ‘Aviazione Navale’. Lastly, the watch is fitted with a green cotton canvas strap and comes supplied with an additional black rubber strap.
Panerai P.9100/R automatic calibre
With its closed back, it is not possible to appraise the finishing of the P.9100/R automatic calibre. However, the brand does mention some details that will resonate with purists. For example, the chronograph movement features a column wheel and vertical coupling. This arrangement confers a smooth pushpiece action and ensures the centrally positioned chrono hands advance without any stuttering or hesitation.
The P.9100/R automatic calibre is fitted with two barrels, delivering a prodigious power reserve of 3 days. Using two barrels, instead of the customary one, also ensures that the supply of energy to the escapement is more linear, enhancing rate stability.
Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition – closing remarks
As a die-hard Paneristi, I adore the design of the PAM01699, its case construction and its technically interesting movement. The specification embraces contemporary materials and the aesthetics are neoteric, but the model still shares a familial likeness with the original Radiomir prototype of 1935, developed for the Royal Italian Navy.
That said, I have to admit I wouldn’t want to partake in the full ownership experience because, quite frankly, I’m a die-hard coward. However, if you have the necessary courage along with the means to acquire the Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition, you now know what tell your wife when she asks what you want for your birthday.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Panerai Submersible Chrono Marina Militaire Experience Edition
- Case: brushed Grade 5 titanium, diameter 47 mm, water resistance 50 ATM (500m), sapphire crystal to the front, solid case-back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, chrono flyback, time to target countdown, calculation of immersion time, second reset.
- Movement: P.9100/R calibre, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 37 jewels, power reserve 3 days.
- Strap: green cotton canvas with T/T stitching strap, trapezoidal brushed Titanium pin buckle. Additional black rubber strap.
- Price: £48,200 (RRP as of 29.4.2025)
- Limited Edition: 35 pieces