Panerai toots the environmental Horn in Yokohama

The birth of Panerai watches goes back to the 1930’s, when frogmen in the Italian Navy sought a reliable timepiece that could perform in the depth-charged conditions underwater. Already a producer of precision optical and mechanical instruments for the Italian Ministry of Defense, Panerai heeded the call, engineering some of the most durable and stylish watches in their class.

Over the course of more than 70 years, Panerai has built watches that are not only practical in their functionality, but can also withstand the elements, whether 300 meters below the sea or in the chill of the Antarctic. But, despite the punishing extremes of the environment, our World is in fact a delicate ecosystem on the verge of destruction. In a somewhat ironic reversal, the earth now needs protection from us.

As a company, Panerai recognizes the importance of corporate responsibility and setting an example. In 2002, they sponsored South African explorer and extreme adventurer Mike Horn on his Arktos Expedition. For over two years Horn traversed the Arctic Circle solo and without the use of motorized vehicles. Along with his kayak, sailboat and skis, Horn’s equipment included Panerai watches.

Bring awareness about the fragile state of our planet

To commemorate Horn’s achievement, Panerai created the Arktos watch. In addition to its watertight and anti-magnetic properties, this COSC-certified piece features a rotating bezel with the four cardinal points that serve as a functioning compass.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Horn set for himself another goal. In May 2008 he embarked from the principality of Monaco aboard the Pangaea, a 35-metre sailing vessel that sleeps 30 people and sports state-of-the-art technology as well as conference facilities. Horn plans a four-year long circumnavigation of the globe to visit all the continents.

However, more than just a sensational feat for the record books, the Pangaea Expedition takes on a higher purpose. In this journey, Horn wants to bring awareness about the fragile state of our planet so we can take global steps to protect and nurture Mother Earth now and in future generations. Pangaea is an acronym for PAN Global Adventure for Environmental Action. Moreover, even the name of the expedition has symbolic significance. Just as the theory of Pangaea states that Eons ago all the continents were joined together as one, so too do our collective actions affect the earth despite living continents apart.

The Pangaea, a working demonstration of environmentally friendly alternatives

A working demonstration of environmentally friendly alternatives, the Pangaea vessel uses a low emissions BlueTec engine and incorporates solar panels, a recyclable aluminum hull and trawling nets for plastic bottles. Horn has invited young adults aged 13-20 from every continent to participate in the voyage. They will learn about the local habitats and cultures of the places they visit, becoming ambassadors to communicate with other young adults.

Perhaps most significantly, these young adventurers will get hands on experience in protecting the environment. Horn designed projects ranging from water conservation and treatment in the Pacific region to building a park in Soweto, South Africa.

In celebration of Horn’s arrival for the first time in Japan at the port of Yokohama, Panerai hosted a workshop and lecture on August 31st and September 5th, 2009 respectively. In the workshop, Horn spoke with young Japanese sailors. The lecture, opens to the public, featured Horn and famed Japanese Sailor Kojiro Shiraishi in an exchange of points of view and experience. A national hero, Shiraishi holds the record as the youngest sailor in the world to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and single-handedly.

The Panerai Luminor 1950 Pangaea Submersible Depth gauge

Yokohama is a noteworthy port of call because it has taken the lead in protecting the environment with the Yokohama Climate Change Action Policy. The city has committed to reducing green house gas emissions 30% by 2025 and set the goal for 60% by 2050. By working with its citizens and companies, Yokohama hopes to adopt and achieve new policies and breakthroughs.

To support Horn’s current venture, Panerai issued the Luminor 1950 Submersible Depth gauge for the Pangaea expedition watch as part of their Special Editions 2008 collection. In conjunction with the mechanical movement, this watch contains a battery-powered electronic depth gauge that reads resistance up to 12 bar (120 meters). The 47mm case is crafted from the lightweight but durable titanium and the unidirectional rotating bezel, which audibly clicks at one-minute intervals, is graduated to allow for measurement of dive times.

Like Mike Horn, Panerai has embraced the motto of the expedition, “Explore, Learn, Act,” in their watchmaking. As its ambassadors field test the watches and bring back valuable data, Panerai incorporates new features to advance their timepieces and make them more functional. In building watches that can withstand the elements, Panerai, in their support of Mike Horn, is also helping to protect the elements from mankind.