Before we get into the Panerai Luminor Submersible PAM 682 here’s a brief history of Panerai for you, they used to make dive watches for the Royal Italian Navy. When I say make, I mean buy a pocket watch from Rolex, solder some lugs on and then add a strap. Panerai dive watches from that era didn’t have the timing bezel of a dive watch that you are familiar with now, it didn’t even have a running seconds hand or minute markers. I guess the Italian navy only time things in 5 minutes increments?

In the 1950s they made their own case incorporating crescent shaped crown guards that are a more recognisable design signature seen on current day Panerai watches.

The submersible is probably the modern interpretation of a Panerai dive watch featuring a rotating bezel. It was introduced in 1998 with a case size of 44mm. Most submersibles were made in 44mm and 47mm until 2017 when they released the PAM682 in a 42mm case to fit men with smaller wrists like mine.

What I loved about this watch is that it made me feel like some kind of special forces or tough guy whenever I put it on. It also has an easy change strap system, which is quite brilliant. It looks great on a leather strap and various colours of rubber strap (but not white rubber). At 14.5mm thick, it’s not a slim watch that you would wear under a dress shirt cuff. It’s very easy to tell the time and the bezel movement feels great, although not as precise as my submariner.

During a short 10 months of ownership, it held up very well, the satin finish on the case is top notch and hides scratches very well despite a few knocks here and there.

At the time of this writing, the Panerai Luminor Submersible PAM 682 has left my collection but it will definitely be missed. It’s like a hot summer fling that you’ll always remember. I’m sorry if that sounds like the title of an erotic novel but I’d love to have another one in the future. My tip is to get one preowned.