New experience plus new watch.

Surely we don't need a name for fans of military watches like "desk divers" — the office workers who only wear their high-spec watches up to their eyeballs at work. For those who not only love military models but would also like to experience the exhilarating world of the army, Panerai is providing the gift of yet another unique opportunity where you won't have to put your life on the line or make a life-changing commitment.

The brand has been implementing the Xperiences Program since 2019, which gives participants the opportunity to participate in realistic military training, albeit in a very compressed format, but still. The new Submersible Chrono Marina Militare Experience Edition limited to 35 pieces comes with a three-day tour with military training exercises and helicopter missions.

The choice of these fields has to do with the fact that the PAM01699 is inspired by the "Aviazione Navale" Naval Aviation component of the Italian Navy (the insignia of this branch of the Navy is displayed on the titanium caseback). It remains to be seen whether future watch owners will be up to the challenge, but the watch certainly is.

The case is water resistant up to 500 m. Beneath the screw-down crown's guard is where you can find the pusher to control the countdown function, which uses one-minute steps. The hand doesn't stop when it counts down to zero, it switches to track elapsed time. There are two more pushers on the opposite side for activating the chronograph and the flyback function.

The palette chosen for the model fully lives up to its military design: the textured khaki gradient dial, paired with a khaki canvas strap that can be swapped for a rubber alternative, given that the watch will be put to the test in the water. The 47 mm case is made of brushed titanium.

The watch is equipped with an automatic in-house P.9100/R movement with a three-day power reserve. This power reserve is ensured by two barrels. The same movement is also housed in different versions of the Luminor 1950 47 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback — yacht races are the other scenario where a countdown function comes in handy.