Watch of the Week; Panerai Submersible PAM00959

In the world of Panerai, there is no such thing as a small watch. For many years, the Panerai-life started at a diameter of 44mm and above. These times have changed, as slowly but surely, the brand introduces more modest size siblings of its iconic watches. This includes the Submersible, a model that even among other Panerai used to impose with its generous diameter and thickness. The Submersible PAM00959 still impresses, yet now with a diameter of only 42mm.

This offers Panerai still plenty of space to incorporate all the features the Submersible has been known for. Its distinct diving bezel, made from ceramic, adds a dash of color by being deep blue, complimenting the textured grey dial beautifully. The hands are as bold as ever, and legibility is second to none. With a water resistance of 300 meters is the Submersible PAM00959, a dependable diving buddy, and even the characteristic crown-guard with locking mechanism is not missing.

As the Submersible is meant to be a so-called ‘tool watch,’ it is form follows function. It lacks any polished surfaces, which help giving it a no-nonsense look. It doesn’t even have a sapphire caseback to admire the movement. Instead, you get a stainless steel caseback with an engraving of the military submarines used by the Italian navy’s frogmen, who were among the first to use a Panerai in their profession. This is actually just as pleasing, as it underscores that you are here dealing with a watch made to be a practical object, even though it has a luxurious way of delivering this. Inside we find in-house movement, caliber OP XXXIV, which offers a power reserve of 72-hours, date-function, and sub-seconds at nine o’clock. It is based on a ValFleurier ebauche, a movement manufacture owned, just as Panerai, by the Richemont group. It is one of those movements that are sturdy and reliable, just what you want in a watch like the Submersible PAM00959. With this watch, Panerai has also proven that it is not the size that matters, as even in smaller proportions, the Submersible carries a punch, is just as desirable, and to many of us, also a lot more wearable.