Panerai unveils the Submersible Elux LAB-ID, a fully mechanical watch that glows for approximately 30 minutes

Panerai has announced the Submersible Elux LAB-ID, a fully mechanical watch with hour and minute hands and indexes that glow for up to 30 minutes. The watch is equipped with six barrels, four of which are used for luminous purposes.

A mechanical watch that lights up with LEDs! An amazing watch with six barrels

　Panerai has announced the Submersible Elux LAB-ID. The watch's greatest feature is that, despite being mechanical and not battery-powered, the hour and minute hands, indexes, and bezel markers can be illuminated for up to approximately 30 minutes by pressing a button. This watch is limited to 150 pieces worldwide, with only 50 being produced per year.

　Inside the movement is a small generator that converts the energy generated by the unwinding mainspring of the barrel into electricity. This electricity is then used to illuminate the LEDs. The LEDs are installed on the dial, bezel, and under the hour and minute hands. The way the hour and minute hands are illuminated is particularly unique: five LEDs are installed in the axis of the hands, which travel along the inside of the axis and illuminate the luminous panels on the hour and minute hands.

　To ensure this much energy, the watch is equipped with four luminous barrels and two additional barrels for powering the movement. The power reserve is approximately 72 hours.

　The hour hand and indexes are outlined in green Super-LumiNova X2, a luminous paint, while the minute hand and bezel are outlined in blue Super-LumiNova X1, creating a nice accent.

　The watch was inspired by Panerai's electroluminescent devices, which were used in the Italian Navy's instruments and as markers on the decks of warships.

A special model with a Panerai-like design

　Looking at the dial, the horizontal power reserve indicator is noticeable. At 9 o'clock there is a small second with a blue hand. Looking at the case, the unidirectional rotating bezel is equipped with a patented bezel light system. This allows the markers on the moving unidirectional rotating bezel to be illuminated. Of course, it also features the typical Panerai lever lock crown protector. The case is cushion-shaped.

Beautiful, unique blue Ti-Ceramitech™ case

　The case is made of Ti-Ceramitech™, a titanium ceramic. This unique blue color was achieved through a proprietary process that took seven years of development. The titanium is converted into a ceramic through plasma electrolytic oxidation, resulting in a material that is 44% lighter than steel yet 10 times more fracture-resistant than standard ceramics. This material is patented by Panerai.