Panerai Introduces 2 New Submersible Marina Militare Models Inspired by the Italian Navy

Panerai’s long-standing bond with the Italian Navy has shaped its identity. It began in 1910 with the development of precise tools and other equipment for the Marina Militare and has been ongoing since then.

Now the brand has unveiled a pair of watches to celebrate that heritage. Among all other watch brands, Panerai may be the most frequent in releasing models that honour their historical ties. Add to that the classic Panerai dive watch look and the allure of olive khaki colour, and Panerai has decoded the perfect formula for an incredibly cool, rugged, and oversized military-inspired dive watch.

But this time, the Panerai watches have aimed for the skies!

What’s new?

For the first time in 2025, the two new Submersible Marina Militare models: Submersible Marina Militare (PAM01697) and Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech™ (PAM01698) draw inspiration from the Italian Navy’s aviation division, Aviazione Navale.

This group operates helicopters and planes as battle units within the branch, and Panerai has dedicated the latest models to this group by drawing inspiration from the colour of their uniforms.

Watch Specifications:

• Brand: Panerai
• Model: Submersible Marina Militare & Marina Militare Carbotech™
• Reference: Marina Militare (PAM01697) & Marina Militare Carbotech™ (PAM01698)
• Case Material: Stainless Steel (PAM01697) / Carbotech (PAM01698)
• Case Size: 44mm
• Dial: Green-grained matte with black gradient finish
• Bezel: Unidirectional bezel in stainless steel with green matte ceramic insert (PAM01697) or in Carbotech (PAM01698)
• Crystal: Sapphire Crystal
• Movement: Panerai P.900 Calibre Automatic 
• Strap/Bracelet: Green Canvas Strap with T/T Stitching
• Water-Resistance: 300m
• Power Reserve: 72 hours

Stainless Steel (PAM01697) & Carbotech (PAM01698)

The Submersible Marina Militare (PAM01697) is a slightly thinner and more affordable version, rendered in a brushed steel case measuring 44mm with a thickness of 13.45mm. The unidirectional rotating steel bezel here features a green matte ceramic disk. 

The Carbotech version (Ref. PAM01698) measures 44mm by 14.25mm and comes housed in a carbon-fibre-based case. This is the more technical of the two, made entirely of Carbotech—Panerai’s proprietary carbon-fibre composite, which is lighter than titanium and known for its durability and corrosion resistance. A unidirectional rotating bezel in black carbon surrounds it.

For all those adventures, both watches offer around 300 metres of water resistance.

Flip both watches to see the screwed case back, featuring the Aviazione Navale wings and Marina Militare emblem. The logo is horizontally aligned and perfectly positioned. Each model has their case back matching the respective material.

Green Military Gradient Dials

The flight-gear-inspired green-grained matte dial, featuring a black gradient finish, reflects military precision, with hands and indices coated in grey Super-LumiNova® grade X2. The same grey recalls the aviation branch’s sophisticated aircraft.

The running seconds hand and the typical skeletonised handset have matte black surrounds. The indices are now 20% larger in diameter for enhanced legibility, considering the environment for which the piece was designed. This results in 45% more luminous coverage, directly benefiting users operating in extreme or dark environments.

There’s a radar-style seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock featuring the historical Aviazione Navale aircraft's engraved anchor, which pays tribute to the Marina Militare. It is completed with the ‘Marina Militare’ signature at 6 o’clock and a date display at 3 o’clock.  All these significant details give the watch a strong visual connection to its military roots.

P.900 Automatic Movement

Inside is the compact and efficient P.900 automatic movement, featuring 171 components. Measuring 28mm in diameter and 4.2mm in thickness, the movement enables a slimmer watch profile despite the watch’s rugged tool-watch appearance. It operates at 28,800 vph, provides a notable 72-hour power reserve, and incorporates a stop-seconds mechanism for precise setting.

Panerai watches are typically oversized and chunky, but in recent years, the brand has focused on reducing movement dimensions without compromising on capability, making the watches ideal for wear in action.

Green Canvas Strap

Matching the military-inspired construction of this sporty-looking timepiece is the green canvas strap with tone-on-tone stitching. Both watches are also delivered with an extra black rubber strap, ideal for water-related activities, which, like most watches from the brand, can be swapped out with a small push-button on the back of the lugs.

The Marina Militare (PAM01697) features a trapezoidal stainless steel buckle, and the Marina Militare Carbotech (Ref. PAM01698) comes with a trapezoidal titanium DLC-coated buckle, matching the dark aesthetic of its case and case backs.

Pricing & Availability

The classic steel version of the model is priced at £10,300, while the modern Carbotech variant is available at £16,800. Not the most accessible models, but these Aviazione Navale-inspired Panerai pieces are definitely the ones with proper flair. The watches are now available at authorised dealers and on the brand’s official website.

Neither of them is categorised as a limited edition.

Parting Thoughts..

Panerai continues to honour its enduring partnership with the Italian Navy by creating innovative timepieces that combine robust engineering with contemporary functionality. Both the new watches are tough, styled sharply, and perform rightfully when it matters. In short, they are professional instruments designed for modern heroes in every territory.

Every detail, from the dial design to the strap construction, has been crafted with resilience, strength and functionality in mind. The steel Marina Militare’s bold and elegant profile is designed for collectors who admire performance and heritage. The Marina Militare Carbotech™ speaks to those who value contemporary styling and innovation.

However, Panerai has once again redefined the limits of horological craftsmanship and reaffirmed its position at the forefront of military-grade watch design.