Officine Panerai

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Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you didn’t plan…

And that’s exactly how I ended up with a watch I hadn’t even seriously considered.



What started as a technical checklist turned into a surprisingly emotional journey. Here’s how I went from avant-garde concept to classic toolwatch — with a few unexpected detours along the way.

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The Alternative

I was looking for a truly good watch for holidays and serious water sports — one that checks all the boxes: excellent legibility, usable in any condition without hesitation, real water resistance (also against impact), shock resistance, magnetic protection, and either lightweight or at least not clunky. And of course, it had to speak to me emotionally and visually.

A few brands were ruled out from the start — not because I don’t like them, but because I already own several pieces (Rolex included).

The Ulysse Nardin Diver Air came close. Really close….



But in the end, a few points knocked it out:
1. 200 m water resistance is good — but not quite enough for the way I treat my watches around water.
2. Daylight legibility? Let’s say… avantgarde. 😎
3. And the emotional “click” just didn’t happen.

It’s a fantastic watch — but not for me.

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And suddenly… Panerai. Again.

I wasn’t planning on going there. But when I looked at what I truly needed, a Submersible came to my mind. I owned a 127, a 670 and a 721. But no Submersible.







The specs of the PAM00984 Mike Horn seemed to be almost suspiciously perfect:

• 300 m water resistance
• anti-magnetic
• 3-day power reserve
• GMT function (very useful, when traveling)
• Lightweight thanks to EcoTitanium, which makes this Submersible extremely comfortable to wear
• This watch seems to be very robust, too: The EcoTitanium case is said to be highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and noticeably lighter than traditional titanium (I hope this is not just marketing from Panerai, and there are also some serious reviews about it). The P.9010 calibre inside is well protected - with a full balance bridge and twin supports which make the watch more resistant to shocks.
• Even the recycled PET strap feels better than expected — soft but strong, perfect for salt water, sweat, or whatever else you throw at it.
• And finally… it just looks great to my eyes: I’m extremely picky when it comes to dial design — date windows that destroy the symmetry drive me nuts. Which is why the dot marker layout of the Submersible felt like the right compromise. Functional and clean. And a great, almost fresh design. The bezel is very special and the logo and dial text is applied to the reverse of the sapphire crystal, creating the effect of floating above the dial. The hands and seconds subdial? Surprisingly modern and clean.

And here’s the economic reason: I paid half of what the Diver Air would have cost me.




Panerai also promotes sustainability: recycled titanium, PET strap, recycled packaging, eco-friendly production. Admirable in theory.
But I also feel that in this case Panerai — besides all the marketing reasons — is genuinely trying to move things in a better direction. This will probably not save the planet, but it’s a step away from greenwashing and toward actual progress. And if that effort comes wrapped in a tough, good-looking dive watch — I’ll happily take it.

By the way:
There was also a limited edition of 19 pieces tied to one of Mike Horn’s expeditions — same watch, light blue lume, double the price. I’d love to meet the person who actually bought that. 😎
Personally, I’ll stick to the standard version. A watch should stand on its own — not depend on whether I get invited to swim with seals or parachute into a glacier crevasse.

So all in all: a surprising outcome. From a futuristic design object to a tried-and-tested toolwatch with personality. I ended up far from where I started — and exactly where I want to be. ☺️🙏






Have a nice Monday evening, my dear watch friends!

Thomas