Watches and Wonders 2022: Panerai’s eco pledge with new Submersible QuarantaQuattro timepieces

Since it transitioned to a standalone collection in 2019, Panerai’s Submersible has become a strong pillar of the brand, with designs extended to reflect the brand’s continuous pursuit of technological advances

The Submersible has become a sandbox for Paneria’s eco-driven design efforts. The launch of the E-Lab ID reference, where recycled material is used in everything from case and strap to movement components, has shed new light on the responsibility and possibilities of the watch industry. 

Along with the launch of this year’s star, the Submersible QuarantaQuattro, a 44mm reference, the watchmaker has announced long term plans to integrate eco elements into all of its timepieces going forward. 

By 2025, says Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue, all of Panerai’s steel references will be made using e-Steel, a Panerai-exclusive recycled steel material that reduces environmental impact. 

Among the first timepieces to get the recycled treatment is the new Submersible QuarantaQuattro eSteel. Like the Carbotech counterpart that’s also set to release this year, the watch features a 44 mm dial powered by three-day automatic calibre and is water-resistant to 300 metres. 

The QuarantaQuattro series features a new, larger date aperture for greater legibility. Indices and hour markers, as well as the hands, are coated with visibility-enhancing Super-Luminova. 

For the eSteel version, the three colour references, blue, green and grey, feature polished bezels and dials, and are each fitted with coloured-matching rubber and recycled fabric straps. 

The Submersible QuarantaQuattro Carbotech, forged from Panerai’s lightest material yet, carbon fibre, weighs 36 per cent less than its steel counterpart at just 100 grams. 

The watchmaker is also taking its ecological efforts one step further with a redesign of its packaging; watch boxes are reduced in size and weight and made with recycled material. 

Also see: Jewellery shoot – Seeing Six