In this review from the WatchTime archives, a frogman re-creates a dive from the 1950s to test the historically inspired Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Acciaio.

When you look at Panerai watches that have been modeled on their historical predecessors, and, like them, have stationary bezels and leather straps, do you ever wonder if frogmen really wore the original versions on their dives" After all, a rotating bezel and metal bracelet or rubber strap are now considered mandatory for dive watches.
Of course, there?s ample proof that military frogmen really did wear these early Panerais. But what were their missions like and how did it feel to be part of them" We searched for clues with an experienced frogman who is a member of the Historical Diving Society, an international organization dedicated to preserving and protecting diving heritage. He donned an old-fashioned diving suit and brought along vintage equipment. He also brought along the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Acciaio, which looks very much like a Panerai watch from the 1950s, so we could revive a bygone era and experience how the frogmen of yesteryear might have felt. Jens Höner with his vintage dive equipment and modern-day Panerai
The Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Acciaio that we took on our dive looks very much like its ancestor, with a 47-mm case and a crown protection bridge.
Panerai made its first prototype dive watches for Italian military divers in 1936. The watches, which became ...