Panerai Luminor Submersible PAM24 A Series "Pica Sub" Tritium Dial Rare 1998 (Full-Set)

1998 A-Series "Pica Sub" in polished steel, full set with original box and papers dated 1998, tritium dial and hands

Panerai Submersible

Panerai is an Italian brand with roots going back to the late 1800s in Florence, where it originally supplied the Italian Navy with precision instruments and diving equipment. The brand did not sell watches to the public until the 1990s, which means its early production runs are relatively small in number and attract serious collector attention. Panerai sits in the upper tier of the Swiss watch market, known for large, tool-oriented watches that carry a distinctive look tied to their military heritage.

The Submersible line sits alongside the Luminor as one of Panerai's core collections, built around water resistance and legibility. The PAM 00024, sometimes called the "Pica Sub," is an early reference from the brand's first years of public production. It stands out within the Submersible family for its fully polished case and bezel, which was not the typical finish Panerai used on its tool watches. The rotating bezel on this model clicks at five-minute intervals for twelve total positions, and the combination of that polished case with the vintage-style tritium dial gave it a character that separates it from later Submersible references.

Because the PAM 00024 comes from the very beginning of Panerai's commercial era, it occupies an interesting place in the collector market. The A-series production run was limited, and the watch's design details, including the period-correct buckle hardware and tritium dial with its natural aging, are things collectors specifically look for. It is not a watch that gets discussed much by casual buyers, but among people who follow early Panerai, it is a well-known and respected reference.

Key Details To Consider

This is the PAM 00024 Submersible, commonly referred to as the "Pica Sub," and it represents one of the most sought-after references in the entire Panerai catalog. Produced in the A series, this example dates to 1998 and is among the earliest production Submersibles ever made. The entirely polished case and bezel set it apart from later brushed variants, and the bezel itself clicks at every five-minute interval for a total of twelve clicks, a detail that collectors familiar with this reference will immediately appreciate.

The case presents very well for its age, showing only minor signs of wear consistent with normal use over the years. There are no severe scratches or dents to report. The dial is the original black tritium version, and the patina on the markers and hands has aged to a warm, even yellow tone across all indexes. The lume remains active and still reacts visibly under UV light, which is a good sign for a dial of this vintage.

The movement was serviced by the previous owner approximately one year ago and is running accurately. The watch is fitted on a new aftermarket brown leather strap in 24/22mm, paired with the original period-correct pin buckle. That buckle features screws on each side, a detail found only on A series examples, which adds to the authenticity of the overall package.

This example comes as a complete full set, including the original boxes, booklets, COSC certificate, movement stickers, spare straps, screwdriver, tubes, and papers dated 1998. For a watch of this age and significance, having the full documentation and accessories intact is increasingly rare and adds considerable value to the piece.

Inquire about this item