Despite the fact that over the years the company's catalog has expanded to include a huge variety of styles, materials, and sources of inspiration, Panerai had never created a watch with an automatic skeleton - until now. Partnering with the German brand BRABUS, known for its work in the car parts market as well as luxury sports boats, the Italian watch company has made an aggressive first attempt, creating not just an automatic skeletonized movement but also a set of useful complications.
Inspired by the ultra-modern line of Shadow Black Ops sports boats from BRABUS, the new limited edition Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition opens new stylistic horizons for the brand with an impressively clear and dynamic skeleton design.
The case of the Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition is large even by Panerai standards, with a monolithic diameter of 47 mm. The overall shape of the matte Carbotech carbon composite case echoes the classic Panerai cushion shape, with the Submersible S line being more diver-oriented, including a unidirectional bezel with a coin edge. In the photos, the Carbotech material shows a fine striped pattern, giving a dynamic texture to the wide flat surfaces of this planar design, especially on the sides of the case, the bezel insert, and the signature crown-locking mechanism at 3 o'clock. The lock lever features a bold BRABUS text logo, also located on the sides of the sapphire crystal case back. In line with the sporty aquatic theme, the Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition is rated for 300 meters of water resistance.
Panerai creates a unique visual identity for the Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition with its skeletonized dial design, while creating a modern and highly user-friendly new aesthetic. The main functional layout is linked to the rest of the Submersible S line with elements like broad skeletonized Roman sword hands and applied round diver indices, but in terms of detail, this is a notable departure from the core Panerai style. Instead of fully exposing the inner workings of the movement, much of the area under the dial is occupied by a series of broad black skeletonized bridges with a square mesh pattern.
This mesh-like texture not only enhances the maritime theme of the watch but also creates a visual layer between the hands and the gearing, while still allowing a glimpse of the inner workings of the movement. The result is surprisingly legible in the initial images, making this one of the most practical among contemporary skeletonized dive watches. The skeleton design is not only easy to read but also provides a wealth of information for the user.
In addition to the bright red GMT hand, the Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition also features a combination of running seconds and a day/night subdial at the 9 o'clock position with additional red accents to break up the monochrome look of the images.
Perhaps the most interesting complication here is also the simplest. The date window at 3 o'clock uses a patented polarized lens, making the current date easily visible while the rest of the sapphire date wheel does not obstruct the view of the layers of the mechanism below.
To create the unique skeletonized appearance of the Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition, Panerai uses the new skeletonized automatic movement P.4001/s GMT. Compared to the relatively orderly look of the dial, the view of the new movement through the case back presents a more complex ultra-modern skeleton design, with an intricate web of narrow black angular bridges connecting the various elements.
The tungsten micro-rotor forms a natural visual center, but other elements such as the thin balance bridge, twin skeletonized mainspring barrels, and the power reserve indicator with a red tip create a balanced and complex image in the initial images. High-tech elements like the Gluycdur balance and KIF Parachoc shock protection ensure the P.4001/s' performance matches its appearance: a massive 72-hour power reserve at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Panerai outfits the watch with a BRABUS strap with a charcoal grey rubber lining.
The limited edition Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition, with its intriguing complications, advanced materials, and skeletonized, legibility-focused appearance, is a strong first entry for the brand into the realm of automatic skeletons. Only 100 pieces of the Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition will be produced, and the watch is now available through official dealers.
However, this new design comes at a price, as it is priced at 45,000 Euros. For more detailed information, visit the brand's website.