For most of the 20th century, Panerai’s watches were strictly military kit. Issued exclusively to the Italian Navy’s elite divers and commandos, the brand’s precision instruments — from depth gauges to luminous dive watches – were classified under the Military Secrets Act. It wasn’t just that civilians couldn’t buy them – they couldn’t even see them.
That changed in 1993, when Panerai finally unveiled its first public references, marking the beginning of its civilian story. But one model remained off-limits: the Luminor Marina Militare 5218-202/A, reserved solely for serving Navy personnel.
Now, for the first time, Panerai has reissued that watch for collectors.
The new Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218, unveiled today alongside the Florence exhibition The Depths of Time, faithfully revives the 1993 original while updating the build for today.
At 44mm, the steel case retains the same proportions as the Navy-only model but is now finished in scratch-resistant DLC, giving it a super-stealthy all-black look.
Water-resistant to 300 metres, it houses Panerai’s hand-wound P.6000 calibre with a three-day power reserve.
The matte black dial carries the historic “Marina Militare” inscription, engraved and filled with Super-LumiNova.
In a nod to collectors, Panerai has recreated the famous “non-matching” patina effect of the original: caramel numerals against lighter-toned hands, once an accidental quirk, now a deliberate detail.
The watch comes on a golden-brown calf leather strap with trapezoidal DLC buckle, plus a secondary black rubber strap.
A closed, engraved caseback completes the vintage-inspired package.
Available from boutiques this September, the PAM05218 isn’t just “another” heritage Luminor.
It’s the first time a watch once reserved for Italy’s naval elite has been offered to Joe Public — a declassified piece of Panerai history, finally up for grabs.
