GQ India – August 2019

WAT C H

124  AUGUST 2019

From left: Jean-

Marc Pontroué; The

Panerai Submersible

Marina Militare

WORDS: PARTH CHARAN. IMAGE: PARTH CHARAN (PONTROU

É)

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ean-Marc Pontroué is clearly at home

surrounded by waves. Panerai’s recently

appointed CEO is sitting across from me

aboard a yacht, soaking in the Middle

Eastern sun just a few clicks off the coast

of Dubai. It’s Panerai’s  rst Immersione event: a

gathering of journalists and curators of luxury to

explore the brand’s strong maritime links and celebrate

what it’s calling “the year of the Submersible”.

“The Submersible is the soul of Panerai,” Pontroué

tells me. It’s been a year since he succeeded Angelo

Bonati, the man who was single-handedly responsible

for steering Panerai to safe and sumptuous harbours.

For his part, Pontroué has managed to streamline the

brand’s core products, turning each into a de nitive

sub-brand: starting with the Luminor, Submersible,

Due and Radiomir. “The Submersible is a spectacular

watch made of spectacular materials like bronze and

Carbotech – made to be worn in tough conditions,”

he tells me, the glint in his eye betraying a partiality

towards tough sports watches.

This year’s line includes stars like the Submersible

Luna Rossa, a watch that’ll be on the wrists of the

Luna Rossa sailing team; and the Submersible Marina

Militare, forged of fade-resistant Carbotech and

capable of going 300m underwater. The brand has also

tied up with African-born Swiss explorer Mike Horn

and world freediving champion Guillaume Néry on

novelties dedicated exclusively to them, created via a

three-pronged approach that fully utilises every aspect

of their identities. Which means focusing on maritime

links, experiences and brand history.

On the  rst front, Panerai aims to include its watches

in major expeditions and maritime undertakings –

giving it the afterglow that comes with being associated

with truly remarkable feats that demonstrate the

resilience of the human spirit. It has also created

watches linked to its past, like the Submersible Bronzo,

which takes inspiration from the bronze diving helmets

used by naval divers in the early 20th century.

There’s also a dedicated effort to save the oceans.

As Pontroué points out: “We exist because of the

ocean,” a statement that’s as true for the brand as it

is for the rest of humanity. As such, the straps of the

special-edition Submersible Mike Horn are made from

recycled plastic bottles found in the ocean.

The Immersione event concludes with a sundowner

overlooking Dubai’s ever-ascending skyline. Stars

from the latest Due and Submersible collection are

among the many things basking under fading sunlight

as Pontroué, clearly keen on imbuing the brand with

his own youthful energy, raises a toast to what looks

like an incredibly focused and meticulously planned-

out future.

With the Submersible series

taking centre stage this

y e a r, Panerai is mining its

extensive maritime history

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