Panerai takes luminescence to a new level with the innovative Elux lighting system
There’s no practical reason why anyone needs a mechanical watch that can light up on demand. But then again, in a world with hyper functional smartwatches, who needs a mechanical timepiece anyway? Panerai’s latest innovation, the Submersible Elux Lab-ID, demonstrates why horology aficionados continue to be beguiled by mind-boggling innovations in the field of high-end watchmaking: in essence, some of them are just darn cool.
The Submersible Elux Lab-ID is gargantuan—even by Panerai’s standards—coming in an imposing 49mm by 21.9mm blue Ti-Ceramitech case. Although the brand’s new, patent-pending Ti-Ceramitech material makes the timepiece surprisingly light (the material is 44 per cent lighter than steel and 10 times tougher than traditional ceramic), the watch’s dimensions takes a bit of getting used to. But as soon as you uncover the complexities that allow the watch to light up mechanically, you’d quickly agree that the size is warranted.
Beneath its robust exterior lies the heart of its ingenuity: an on-demand mechanical luminescence. Simply pressing the pusher at 8 o’clock activates the lighting system which immediately illuminates the indices on the dial, the hands, and the lume pip on the bezel.
To achieve this feat, Panerai employs a micro-generator to power LEDs within the dial, hands, and bezel. This system, developed in-house by Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee, transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, delivering up to 30 minutes of continuous illumination without the need for batteries. The lighting mechanism is a marvel of engineering, featuring an intricate system comprising numerous custom-made coils, magnets, and a stator, all driven by a rotor spinning at 80 revolutions per second.
The technology behind the watch is novel yet deeply rooted in the brand’s history. First patented in 1966, Elux, an abbreviation of, “elettroluminescenza” (electroluminescence) was an innovation designed for the Italian Navy. The invention provided uniform luminous surfaces for instrument panels and other critical applications. The modern Submersible Elux LAB-ID pays homage to this heritage, incorporating advanced electroluminescent technology in a fully mechanical watch.
For a timepiece so brimming with novelty, the dial is surprisingly (and refreshingly) familiar. It’s minimalist and functional, sporting a matte black finish that allows the luminescence to take centre stage. Elsewhere, a power light reserve indicator near the six o’clock lets wearers know the amount of energy left in the illumination system. The watch also boasts Super LumiNova X2 on its indices and hour hand (with Super LumiNova X1 on the minute hand), ensuring it remains legible in low light conditions even if the full 30 minutes of toggle-able illumination are used up.
Powered by the in-house P.9010/EL calibre, the watch has a three-day power reserve for timekeeping, as well as a separate reserve for the lighting system. Limited to just 150 pieces, with 50 units released annually over three years, the timepiece costs US$96,300.
