Unprecedented achievements in watchmaking tend to hone performance mechanisms innate to modern timepieces. Novel proportions and high-quality metal and finishes are primarily achieved with virgin materials to enhance the weight, feel and presentation of luxurious and desirable watches. For Italian watchmaker Panerai, advancement means observing how particular materials pioneer surprising innovation while minimizing and preventing harmful waste produced in the environment. Ethical and eco-conscious leaps in technology also push forth unbridled creativity and imagination, and Panerai’s Submersible collection showcases a commitment to sustainable horology in contemporary form. Diving deep into the Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel™️ collection, Hypebeast takes a closer look at the sustainable production models embedded with the Maison’s DNA.
Introducing its Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel™️ collection, Panerai invites the watch industry to champion the access and distribution of clean-sourced, premium materials used in luxury watchmaking. The collection houses three distinct models — Verde Smeraldo (sage green), Grigio Roccia (grey) and Blu Profondo (navy blue) — and deploys 72g of recycled steel as its base material. Panerai’s proprietary eSteel™️ material is made of 95% recycled steel and 5% pure elements. Comprising 52% of the total weight of each timepiece (approximately 137g), eSteel™️ shares indistinguishable chemical characteristics with conventional steel used in state-of-the-art diving watches. Engraving at the lever and an inscription at the dial denote the presence of eSteel™️ while preserving the watchmaker’s technical prowess and established design codes.
Holding up to the ocean’s great blue, eSteel™️ is a durable, noncorrosive component with brushed striations throughout its build. Radiant, glossy ceramic on the unidirectional bezel marks a new manufacturing milestone for the Maison and adds a touch of refined elegance to the range’s color stories and recycled PET fabric bands in green, grey and navy blue. The color story is continued with tonal components at the bezel and dial; the polished dial reveals the color gradient, which deepens from top to bottom, giving its face an unexpected sense of dimension. A tool and screwdriver accompany each watch and can be utilized when swapping out the fabric strap for the interchangeable recycled rubber band.
The 44mm Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel™️ timepieces feature a self-winding automatic P.900 caliber only 4.2mm thick. Housing a three-day power reserve, each piece is distinguished by the watchmaker’s proprietary Incabloc™️ anti-shock device, which actively works to combat internal vibration and friction. The hour markers and dial dots showcase brilliant luminescence in each respective colorway. A screw-back case in textured eSteel™️ and safety lock at the lever complete each model. Pieces housed in the Submersible collection feature 300-meter (30 bar) water resistance for an added boost of underwater functionality and versatility of wear.
Panerai’s Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel™️ collection rallies for eco-conscious consumption in luxury watchmaking. The range is available exclusively at Panerai boutiques and online.
