IN IT TO WIN IT

What does innovation in sports watches mean? We found five timepieces that showcased exciting developments this year.

- Somya Rauthan

The world of horology spins on the axis of innovation, and while the year saw plenty of new developments, a handful of sports watches caught our attention for pushing the envelope. The release of Panerai's Submersible Elux LABID's (Ref. PAM01800) battery-free and mechanically powered luminescence is a milestone in horology. At first glance, the watch might look like an extra-large diver― after all, its water resistance is 500 metres― but one can't miss the Elux pusher on the left side of the case. An abbreviation of 'elettroluminescenza' (meaning electroluminescence), it refers to the transformation of mechanical energy stored in four dedicated barrels into luminosity to light up 160 micro-LEDs on the hour markers, hands, and the bezel. One can activate this luminosity on demand by pressing the aforementioned patented pusher-the energy stored in the barrels is released in a microgenerator that converts it into electricity.

This technology is a result of eight years of research and development by the brand's Laboratorio di Idee in Neuchâtel, and is based on a previous technology patented by Panerai in 1966. To keep the energy efficient, there are 8mm x 2.3mm compact microgenerators with custom-made coils, magnets, and a stator, incorporating a highspeed rotor operating at 80 revolutions per second and generating 240Hz high-frequency electrical signal to power the watch. This is part of one of the most complicated movements created by Panerai-Calibre P.9010/EL, which houses 363 components and six barrels, two of which work to provide the watch three days of power reserve.