Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID

Quick specs Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID
Price: $ 96,300 | € 108.000 | £ 76,800 | CHF 95’400
Size: 49 mm
Reference: PAM01800 – limited to 150 pieces

The Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID is huge, can go deep under water and is a limited edition born in Panerai’s own laboratory. And it gives light. In fact, it has a fully mechanical movement that gives power to create light on demand. The Italian brand just managed to build in a microgenerator able to provide electricity, and getting energy from four barrels.

So, inside the watch is a small 8 x 2.3-millimeter spring-driven generator with custom-made coils, magnets, and a stator. It has a high-speed rotor (80 revolutions per second) to generate a high-frequency electrical signal of 240 Hz. Now, this energy lights-up the 12 indexes on the dial, the hands, and the dot on the rotating bezel. Operated by the protected pusher at the 8 o’clock position.

Switch-on the LEDs

In total there are 60 LEDs that light-up on command and give an extra boost to the luminescent material on the markers and hands. And the dot on the bezel as well. The four barrels are able to feed the light and a light power reserve indicator tells you when it’s over.

For sure, such a technically advanced system needs space to fit into a case. For this Panerai uses a 49-millimeter case from ceramized titanium, called Ti-Ceramitech. The effect of this ceramic treatment is a blue-shaded case, bezel and back on a contrasting black dial.

The Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID has a power reserve of 72 hours for the time and 30 minutes for the light

Inside runs the automatic Panerai caliber P.9010/EL, as said with six barrels. Two of them are connected to the time (hours, minutes, small seconds) for a power reserve of 72 hours. The remaining four barrels are for the microgenerator providing it energy for 30 minutes of light.

The Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID comes with two straps. One is from blue rubber with a trapezoidal titanium pin buckle, the second strap is from bi-material. Panerai will only produce 50 pieces per year so the total of 150 pieces takes three years.