The new direction of Officine Panerai’s Luminor Submersible is exemplified by the revolution which concerns the case. This is the Luminor 1950 style but with substantial modifications to its dimensions and form.

This was an inevitable solution to meet the need to create a case construction capable of facing the stresses which occur at a depth of 1,000 metres. For this reason it has special seals for the screw back, while the winding crown is safeguarded by the lever device protecting the winding crown, an Officine Panerai patent, specially strengthened for this professional version of the Submersible.

The great new technical feature involves the bezel for the measurement of immersion time, made of steel with a brushed finish and polished steel outlines. The bezel is unidirectional so that it only rotates anti-clockwise while its 1/60^th scale is graduated with markings for each minute for the first 15 minutes and for each 5-minute interval after that. Its distinctive movement when it is being set is radial, controlled by a metal ring-shaped element which significantly improves the precision of the click, as well as ensuring that the bezel has greater resistance to wear and to high temperatures. This new system of operation is patented.

To ensure the highest degree of water-resistance, the case of the Luminor 1950 Submersible 1000 M is fitted with a helium escape valve, which is necessary to preserve the movement from infiltration in the course of immersion at great depths and for long periods of time. Under such conditions helium, a gas with a very simple molecular structure, diffuses through the areas where the component parts of the case make contact. To avoid the watch being damaged by the expansion of the helium in the course of returning to the surface, this valve allows the gas to escape, removing the possible risk of excessive pressure occurring within the case.

The black dial with the characteristic Panerai graphic style is protected by the sapphire crystal, 5 millimetres thick. The date window is at 3 o’clock and the small seconds dial at 9 o’clock; the hour markers and the hands are covered with Super-LumiNova®, a substance of notable luminous intensity. The mechanical heart of the Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible 1000 M consists of the Panerai automatic calibre OP III, with top-of-the-range finish, power reserve of 42 hours and a Glucydur® balance which oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations/hour.

Case	:	In three parts, diameter 44 mm, in steel with brushed finish, helium escape valve. Lever device protecting the winding crown (Trade Mark) in brushed steel. Cambered sapphire crystal 5.1 mm thick with anti-reflective treatment, magnifying lens for the date applied internally at 3 o’clock
Bezel	:	Brushed steel with polished steel outlines, unidirectional type rotating anti-clockwise, with graduated scale for immersion times and click for each minute
Back	:	Brushed steel, screw fixed, 3 mm thick
Water-resistance	:	To 1,000 metres
Movement	:	Automatic mechanical, Panerai calibre OP III, 13¼ lignes, 21 jewels. Glucydur balance®, Nivarox® I balance spring, operating frequency 28,800 vibrations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device, power reserve 42 hours, Côtes de Genève decoration, COSC chronometer certificate
Functions	:	Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Dial	:	Black, with luminous applied Arabic numerals and circular hour markers, small seconds at 9 o’clock, date window at 3 o’clock
Strap	:	Rubber with moulded edges, personalised buckle in brushed steel. Supplied with screwdriver and interchangeable strap
Reference	:	PAM00243
Production	:	500 units for 2006
Retail price	:	5,600 €
Distributed from	:	December 2006