When you buy one of these limited-edition Panerai timepieces, you not only get to own an amazing watch but can also enjoy memorable experiences with elite forces, a free-diving expert or an explorer.

SINGAPORE (June 17): Officine Panerai, established in 1860 in Florence, Italy, has always emphasised the importance of R&D. According to historical records, founder Giovanni Panerai and his son Leon Francesco moved the manufacture’s operations to Switzerland where it could focus on becoming a leader in R&D. Towards this aim, Panerai established “Laboratorio di Idee”, or a laboratory of ideas, where amazing timepieces are created by talented watchmakers.

Panerai has continually launched ­watches that feature in-house movements using pioneering materials. The brand’s watches and precision instruments have been used by the commandos of the Italian Navy and, in honour of that partnership, Panerai still makes timepieces that evoke the history of those Special Forces, who carried out numerous feats of heroism.

From time to time, Panerai appoints a new friend of the brand and launches exclusive timepieces in their honour. This year, Panerai has launched three models: the Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry Edition — 47mm (PAM00983), Panerai Submersible Marina Militare CarbotechTM — 47mm (PAM00961) and Panerai Submersible Mike Horn Edition — 47mm (PAM00985).

As part of its ethos to offer not just a watch but also an experience to remember, Panerai is providing unique experiences for customers with the purchase of these special-edition novelties.

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Dive in

Purchase the Panerai Submersible Chrono Guillaume Néry Edition — 47mm (PAM00983) and you could find yourself in the company of free diver Guillaume Néry in his hometown of Moorea in French Polynesia. Néry, now 37, has been diving since he was 14. He has set numerous records diving without using fins and a sled, such as the feat in 2006 in Nice, where he reached 109m. Fifteen people who purchase the watch will get to plunge into the depths of the ocean and experience the extraordinary emotions of diving while whale watching in Moorea. The following tech specs will surely draw the diving enthusiast to the spectacular timepiece:

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9100 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 8.15mm thick, 37 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device, two barrels.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, calculation of immersion time, flyback chronograph, seconds reset

Case: Diameter 47mm, titanium with DLC (diamond-like-carbon) coating. Buttons for the chronograph functions at eight and 10 o’clock. Unidirectional rotating bezel in titanium with applied black ceramic disc. Back is made of titanium with special engraving. Device protecting the crown (protected as trademark) in titanium.

Dial: Blue and black, with applied luminous dots and indexes. Seconds at nine o’clock, hour counter at three o’clock, central chronograph seconds and minutes hands.

Power reserve: 72 hours

Water resistance: 30 bar (~ 300m)

Strap: Panerai personalised black rubber strap and trapezoidal titanium buckle

Elite military training

Imagine being a part of the Comsubin or Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei — Teseo Tesei Diver and Raider Command Group in English. This elite commando frogman force is part of the Italian Special Forces. It is surely every military enthusiast’s dream come true to meet the personnel, and with the purchase of the Panerai Submersible Marina Militare CarbotechTM — 47mm (PAM00961), that dream can become a reality. Only 33 pieces of this timepiece are available — 33 because that is the number of gold medals for military valour that have been won by members of Comsubin in the course of its history. Watch and military aficionados will appreciate the timepiece’s superb technical qualities:

Movement: Automatic mechanical, Panerai P.9010 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 13¾ lignes, 6mm thick, 31 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device, two barrels.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, calculation of immersion time

Case: Diameter 47mm, carbotech. Unidirectional rotating bezel in carbotech. Back is made of titanium with special engraving. Device protecting the crown (protected as trademark) in carbotech.

Dial: Camouflage black, carbon, with luminous dots and indexes. Date at three o’clock, seconds at nine o’clock.

Power reserve: 72 hours

Water resistance: 30 bar (~ 300m)

Strap: Panerai personalised black rubber strap and trapezoidal titanium buckle

Exploring the Arctic

South African Mike Horn is perhaps one of the most prolific explorers of our time. For six months in 1997, he travelled alone through South America and in 1999, he embarked on a 16-month expedition around the world along the equator. This was followed three years later by the Arktos Expedition, where for 27 months, he trekked around the Arctic Circle. When you own a Panerai Submersible Mike Horn Edition — 47mm (PAM00985), you will get to spend a few days of intensive training with Horn among the ice floes of the Arctic. Hear him give his views on the sea and saving the planet. Intrigued? Only 19 pieces of these remarkable pieces are available:

Movement: Automatic mechanical, P.9010 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai. 13¾ lignes, 6mm thick, 31 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, Incabloc® anti-shock device, two barrels.

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, calculation of immersion time

Case: Diameter 47mm, EcoTitanium™. Unidirectional rotating bezel. EcoTitanium™ back with engraving. Device protecting the crown (protected as trademark) in EcoTitanium™.

Dial: Black with luminous hour markers and dots. Date at three o’clock, small seconds at nine o’clock.

Power reserve: 72 hours

Water resistance: 30 bar (~ 300m)

Strap: Blue recycled PET strap