Panerai PAM194 2500M Submersible Diver aka the "Subzilla"

History of Panerai's 2500m Submersible aka Subzilla:

The early years of Panerai, from 1998 – 2008 featured some extreme Submersible divers models that have yet to be replicated and the 2500m Extreme diver Submersible 47mm in Titanium is a watch that echoes the purity of Panerai as one of the original ‘Extreme’ watch brands. Since being discontinued, no other Submersible model, not even the new release 47mm Carbotech Submersible models seem to convey that extreme tactical look, feel or depth rating.

Here is the story of the Panerai 2500m Extreme Diver Submersible. A special edition Submersible in 47mm Titanium that was released in only 4 variations. Each of these below models is designated as a ‘Special Edition’ and therefore Exclusively produced for only 1 production year and guaranteed never to be produced again. Most significantly as a designated ‘Special Edition’ model, each watch was outfitted with a massively oversized special edition Burlwood Boxset with its own lock and key along with an individually numbered and hand-signed Special Edition parchment Certificate and Extra Long Length Professional Divers Strap with folding buckle. Panerai has all but discontinued its Special Editions and most of the current Submersible models are now outfitted with the recycled plastic ‘Tech’ style boxset. Even the Limited Edition ‘Novelty’ Submersibles Panerai has released in conjunction with Brabus or Navy Seals are missing that now discontinued and oh so formidable and appealing ‘Special Edition’ branding and ornate wow factor presentation.

The Panerai 2500m Submersible, aka Subzilla was made in only a few variations and although the Submersible is a model which has been built out within the Panerai catalog, the 2500m Subs have a distinctively tactical, extreme and professional feel that even the new Submersible Panerai models can’t seem to reproduce.

Panerai’s 2500m Submersible was released in only 4 distinct variations and each edition was a 1x Special Edition produced in very limited quantities for only 1 production year. Below are the variations of the 2500m Subzilla model:

V1 Subzilla – PAM194 G Series (2004 Production Year), 1000 Pieces: The first release of the 2500m Submersible was the PAM194 G. With its extra thick and beefy titanium case and bezel, and tell-tale helium release valve on the side of the case at 9:00, you can easily tell this is an Extreme Divers Watch! Additional features included a fat uni-directional bezel with welded-on markers which could be turned easily even while wearing gloves and an even more oversized crown protector (than regular Panerai models). The PAM194 is powered by Panerai’s workhorse ‘Caliber OP III’ based on the Valjoux 7750 automatic movement with 42 power reserve and date indication-incidentally one of the most reliable and commonly used automatic movements in the watch industry. For quality control and to commemorate this watch as a special edition, each PAM194 was issued with an individually numbered CoSC Chronometre Certificate married to the watch and Special Edition Parchment Certificate (individually numbered and matching to the watch).

V2Subzilla – PAM358 L series (2009 Production Year), 100 Pieces: The Pam358 was a little-known micro edition produced in only 100 pieces and made exclusively for Paris based Panerai dealer Chronopassion. I personally have only seen 3 examples of this watch in my tenure over the past 20 years. (In short, these are about as rare as hen’s teeth or unicorn tears so if you have one you would consider selling, please contact me.) The PAM358 was unique in that it was made as a Destro for Lefties with winding crown at 9:00 instead of standard 3:00. One of the downsides of this watch is that this watch in being converted to a Destro lost its date indication. (My speculation is that the date indication is probably still there at 9:00 position but if it was exposed/viewable through the dial it would probably be upside down and Panerai didn’t want to go to the trouble of recalibrating the date wheel.) Except for the re-orientation of the winding crown at 9:00 and lacking date indication, this watch looks like a mirror reflection of the PAM 194 with stick hour markers and minute markers around edge of dial. Also powered by Panerai’s Caliber OP III. For quality control and to commemorate this watch as a special edition, each PAM358 was issued with an individually numbered CoSC Chronometre Certificate married to the watch and Special Edition Parchment Certificate (individually numbered and matching to the watch).

V3 Subzilla - PAM285 K Series (2008 production year), 250 Pieces: The PAM285 looks almost identical to the PAM194 except that the hour markers are oversized ‘dots’ and there are no minute markers which gives the dial a cleaner and more open look and feel. Same 47mm titanium case, solid caseback and diver’s bezel. This watch was also powered by Panerai Caliber OP III with 42 hour power reserve. For quality control and to commemorate this watch as a special edition, each PAM285 was issued with an individually numbered CoSC Chronometre Certificate married to the watch and Special Edition Parchment Certificate (individually numbered and matching to the watch).

V4 Subzilla – PAM364 P Series (2013 production year), 1000 Pieces: The most distinctive and differentiating feature of the Pam364 over all the previously released Subzilla models is that it is powered by Panerai’s in-house P.9000 movement with 3-days power reserve. (All the other Subzilla models are powered by OP III Valjoux automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve.) Because the PAM364 uses an in-house movement, Panerai certified the movement in-house and included an individually numbered ‘Certificates Booklet’ married to the watch (instead of CoSC Certificate). As a designated Special Edition model, the PAM364 also comes with Special Edition Parchment Certificate (individually numbered and matching to the watch).

The PAM364 features oversized ‘dot’ hour markers and absence of minute markers which makes it look more like a PAM285 than anything else. Also, the PAM364 features the newest strap changing system that allows strap changes without use of screwdriver. The best way to tell a PAM364 and a Pam285 apart is to examine the caseback; if it’s a K series it’s a Pam285, if it’s a P series, it’s a Pam364.

The Subzilla, with its 4 various incarnations were only made in a total of 2350 total pieces. . These 4 watches comprising a total of 2350 watches make up Panerai's historical and now discontinued offering of 2500m Deep Diver submersibles. All of these watches are long discontinued and completely sold out and its unlikely Panerai will ever re-release a 47mm 2500m Submersible again. These watches are becoming increasingly more rare as collectors realize they convey a piece of Panerai history that likely wont ever be repeated!

While these are quite rare we do randomly get them into our inventory. Check here to see if we currently have one for sale!