Florence, a city symbolic of art, tradition and innovation, returns to the center of the international watchmaking scene with Panerai, which celebrates a historic anniversary with the exhibition “The Depths of Time” and the presentation of the new Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218. September 10, 1993, was a pivotal date for the Maison: for the first time, Panerai abandoned its role as exclusive supplier to the Navy and opened itself to the public, revealing a heritage guarded for decades behind the veil of military secrecy.
Panerai’s history is rooted in 1910, when the first documents attest to commissions from the Royal Italian Navy. Since then, for more than eighty years, Panerai watches were exclusive instruments designed to accompany the daring missions of the special diving corps. Each timepiece represented a concentrate of technology and functionality, capable of ensuring great reliability and legibility in extreme conditions. The civilian debut in 1993 was not just a commercial launch: it was a true watershed, transforming Panerai into a global symbol of fine mechanical watchmaking.
“The Depths of Time” the exhibition tracing the history of Panerai.
Today, with “The Depths of Time,” the Maison invites enthusiasts on a fascinating journey through the ages. The exhibition, housed in the Panerai boutique in Florence, is a veritable treasure chest of priceless “treasures”: confidential letters between the Panerai family and the Navy, original technical drawings, vintage catalogs and photographs that exude history. Precision instruments, from depth gauges to compasses, dialogue with early Panerai watches, and reproductions of the patents that made dive dials legible and luminous bear witness to the maison’s pioneering role in technical-functional watchmaking.
The climax of the narrative is the reenactment of Panerai’s debut in the civilian market, which took place on September 10, 1993, aboard the defense ship Durand de la Penne (D560), where the models were presented to the civilian public Luminor ref. 5218-201/A e Mare Nostrum ref. 5218-301/A , in the presence of Duke Amadeus of Aosta. At the same event, the Luminor Navy ref 5218-202/A , intended exclusively for the Navy, emphasizing Panerai’s duality: professional instruments and collector’s watches.
The new Luminor Navy PAM05218
This year, Panerai pays tribute to that historic moment with the new Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218, a faithful tribute to the reference 5218-202/A, reinterpreted with a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. The case retains the 44 mm of the original, breaking away from the larger 47 mm cases of military models, a sign of the desire to combine generous dimensions with a more linear and minimalist aesthetic. The DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) finish gives the steel case an intense black hue, resistant to shocks and corrosion, evoking the bold spirit of the historic reference.
At the heart of the watch beats the caliber P.6000, a manual movement with three days of power reserve, 21,600 vibrations per hour balance and cross bridge to ensure stability and precision. The dial, single-layered with engraved hour markers filled with caramel-colored Super-LumiNova, bears the inscription Marina Militare, a tribute to the long association with the Italian Navy. The chromatic effect between the dial and hands recalls the orange-brown hue of historical examples, a peculiarity that has won over passionate collectors over the years.
The PAM05218 offers water resistance to 30 atmospheres and a screw-locked case back with OP logo and Officine Panerai Firenze wording, true to the original. The golden-brown calfskin strap, combined with a black DLC steel trapezoidal buckle, echoes the vintage style, while a second black rubber strap completes the homage to the historical legacy.
Alessandro Ficarelli, Panerai’s Chief Marketing and Product Officer, emphasizes, “With the exhibition ‘The Depths of Time,’ we invite all enthusiasts to discover the incredible evolution of Panerai, from supplier to the Royal Italian Navy to a fine watchmaking brand. The new Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 celebrates a milestone in our history: the revelation of our secrets and the birth of the Panerai legend.”
Conclusions
The exhibition will be on view for two months in Florence before embarking on an international tour that will touch Europe, the United States and China. It is an unmissable opportunity to immerse oneself in the history of Panerai, experience the magic of its watches and understand why, in addition to representing precision and robustness, a Panerai is today a symbol of timeless elegance.
In short, the Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 is not just a watch: it is the testimony of a legacy guarded for more than a century, the meeting of daring missions and craftsmanship, a bridge between past and future. For enthusiasts and collectors, it is a cult object, a unique piece that carries with it the legend of Panerai, its history and the passion that still animates Florence and the world of watchmaking excellence.
Visit our Youtube channel to experience the best of the world of watchmaking firsthand.
For all real-time updates follow us on Instagram.
