An Urban Sports Watch Built for the Abyss: Meet Panerai’s Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738

Rooted in Italy but worn by elite divers and adventurers around the world, Panerai has long built its reputation on mission-ready tool watches designed for extremes. Among its most recognizable modern advocates is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a high-profile collector often seen wearing the brand’s Submersible models.

In 2022, the Florentine manufacture formalized its partnership with the U.S. Navy SEALs, translating its military heritage into a contemporary collaboration that extends beyond watches. Alongside special editions, the relationship also introduced an “Experiences” program, offering collectors the rare opportunity to train alongside the SEALs. Since then, the partnership has expanded across both the Submersible and Luminor families.

Launched today, the Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738 continues this narrative with a 44mm steel case and a distinctly utilitarian design language shaped by professional diving requirements.

Workhorse movement, utilitarian dial

Following the Submersible Navy SEALs Afniotech™ Experience Edition PAM01089 that debuted at Watches Wonders 2026, the PAM01738 arrives in a matte-finished 44mm steel case.

Inside beats the automatic P.980 caliber, a 3-day power reserve movement fitted with a traversing balance bridge for improved stability and precision, as well as a stop-seconds function that halts the seconds hand when setting the time. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and measuring just 4.2mm thick, this movement has been tested in six positions to ensure consistent chronometric performance.

Beyond the movement itself, Panerai underscores its broader testing philosophy: each watch is subjected to extreme validation protocols designed to simulate years of wear in compressed cycles. The result is a specification geared towards real-world reliability, including water resistance up to 500m and less than 20 seconds per day rate deviation, even under demanding conditions.

True to Panerai Submersible heritage, the PAM01738 prioritizes legibility and tactile control. Its hands, indices, subdial, and 12 o’clock bezel marker are coated in Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility in low-light environments. The unidirectional rotating bezel features a matte ceramic insert and a knurled edge for improved grip, while the black rubberized crown reinforces usability under wet conditions.

Visually, the design carries clear Navy SEALs coding: a shaded anthracite dial, a target-style small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, and subtle accents in the Navy SEALs’ shade of yellow. The Navy SEALs insignia appears on both the dial and the engraved caseback, reinforcing the collaboration’s identity.

The watch is delivered on two interchangeable straps—a black rubber option for underwater use and a gray canvas strap for a more rugged, versatile expression. It will be available worldwide from July 2026, priced at US$12,400.