Introducing: The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso

Quick Take Nowadays, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to bronze watches. But turn the clock back to 2011, and it was a very different watch world. When Panerai debuted its first Bronzo, the PAM 382, bronze watches were rare birds. The first Bronzo also had a kind of sensational quality to it. Though there had been bronze watches before, the prospect of a high-end luxury brand making a modern timepiece that deliberately patinated – tarnished really, and at a fairly quick pace – caught a lot of people by surprise. But given Panerai's naval history and its association with events like the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the use of Bronze, a material with longstanding maritime associations, made a good deal of sense. If anybody ought to try and make watches from bronze, it was Panerai, and the Bronzo became a hit. Since then, the Bronzo has been a mainstay in the collection, known for its warm red metal case with its tendency to change over time on its owner's wrist. Today, we're taking a look at the sixth Bronzo to come from Panerai in the past ten years. What sets the new PAM 1074 apart more than any other factor is its size. Whereas the Bronzo has tended to be a full-figured 47mm PAM in the past, now it's a more wearable 42mm. Initial Thoughts Don't get me wrong. Judged by pretty much any yardstick that isn't Panerai, the new Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso is still a big watch. Though I've not had it on my wrist – 42 by 14.37 millimeters of bronze, including the signature Panerai crown guard system, ought to have a way of making its presence felt. Having said that, it's no mere bruiser. The new Bronzo is an ISO-compliant dive watch with 300 meters of water resistance, a unidirectional bezel, and a small luminous seconds hand at the 9 o'clock position, providing the requisite visual indication that the movement is running. The beige Super-LumiNova is well matched to the hands and the case, and the dark blue dial, with its non-reflective, matte texture, is echoed in the blue suede strap for a pretty tight look. Inside, we have the P.900 movement, an automatic caliber that Panerai has used for some of its smaller models, including versions of the 38mm Luminor Due. It provides 72 hours of power reserve, small seconds at nine o'clock, and a display for the date at three o'clock. If you like what you see, take note that the latest Bronzo is limited in production to 1,000 pieces and will be available only at Panerai boutiques. The Basics Brand: Panerai Model: Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso Reference Number: PAM01074 Diameter: 42mm Thickness: 14.37mm Case Material: Bronze Dial Color: Blue with matte finish Indexes: Applied dots with beige Super-LumiNova Lume: Super-LumiNova Water Resistance: 300 meters Strap/Bracelet: Blue suede with ecru stitching, with bronze trapezoidal pin buckle. Additional rubber strap in blue. The Movement Caliber: P.900 Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date Diameter: 12 1/2 lignes Thickness: 4.2mm Power Reserve: 72 hours Winding: Automatic Frequency: 28,800 vph Jewels: 23 Pricing & Availability Price: $15,900 Availability: April Limited Edition: Limited production of 1,000 pieces per year, only at Panerai boutiques For more, visit Panerai.Into the 42mm abyss.