No controversial at all, history is history and it is here to remain.
If you wish to
split Panerai ‘watches’ history in parts, then your statement is not correct.
Under Giuseppe PANERAI 1935-1972, All vintage pieces 2533, 3646, 6152, 6152-1, 2/56, 6154 were destined to military use; Under Dino Zei 1972-1997, Pre-Vendome pieces, Luminor double crown 1982, 1000 Meters 1985, and in 1993 the 10 watches referred as Pre-Vendome pieces, all destined for both military and civilian use.
In Mai 1997,
The Vendome-Cartier group took over to write (the) a new chapter.
As for a tool for war, nowadays if you need a tool for war you are better buying a calculator (currency converter, they even come bigger than any watches around ;-)