The new collaboration between Panerai and Brabus unites two of the coolest brands on the planet; Panerai, the iconic Swiss-Italian watchmaker with an impressive heritage tied to Italy’s navy, and Brabus, the world-famous tuning house which creates incredible custom vehicles based on Mercedes-Benz’s most high-octane models.
These include the G63 AMG, Benz’s top-of-the-line G-Wagen, which Brabus turns into an 800-hp beast worth a small fortune. Not as well known is the fact the elite German-based firm now also builds some truly badass boats under the name Shadow Black Ops, which are perfectly in keeping with Panerai’s mission to equip the Italian navy’s elite underwater commandos beginning in World War II, and which served as the inspiration for the collab.
Available in a limited run of only 100 pieces, priced at $46,200 each the new Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition (PAM01240) is the first-ever Panerai timepiece with a skeletonized automatic movement. The product of three full years of development, the 47mm watch’s case and bezel are crafted from the watchmaker’s proprietary Carbotech composite material based on carbon fiber.
As well as providing exceptional technical performance, Carbotech has an “uneven, matte black appearance, which varies according to the cutting of the material,” with the result that each example is unique, Panerai notes. In the absence of a traditional dial, the Panerai Submersible logo is silkscreened directly onto the sapphire crystal.
The color scheme of the watch, which is water-resistant to 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet), is gunmetal grey, black and red, Brabus’ signature palette. “Panerai and Brabus, both unconventional forces in their respective fields, share a passion for and connection to the marine environment,” as Panerai puts it.
Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué adds that, “The ideas, materials and technologies of our brands will be a vehicle for developing concepts that are both disruptive and spectacular.” All the products that this collaboration brings into being are designed to achieve what Pontroué calls the “One Second Wow Effect.”
The special Submersible’s newly-developed P.4001/s movement features an oscillating rotor made of tungsten, a shiny, high-density metal that enables the movement and therefore the watch itself to be much thinner and lighter as well as worthy of the skeleton display.
The Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition also features a unidirectional rotating bezel for the calculation of immersion time, GMT function, AM/PM indicator and three-day power reserve. Minute, hour and small seconds hands are accented in Brabus red, while Brabus brand emblems are engraved on Panerai’s signature crown guard lever, movement and case back.
“When put side by side, the similarities in regard to design language and overall character of the Panerai Submersible and the Brabus Marine line of dayboats are obvious and striking,” notes Brabus CEO Constantin Buschmann. “Both are made to be functional and stylish tools for life in the marine environment and therefore this combination just makes sense.”
Not to mention the bragging rights are priceless.