Time And Time Again

Discovering the meaning of a second life through the lens of horology.

- by Stuart Danker

FINDING LIFE

Panerai has collaborated with the Italian Navy since the early 1900s, offering equipment such as naval sights before moving on to timepieces. Throughout the century, Panerai has stood alongside many of the world’s pioneers in their respective fields. One such person is Mike Horn, an extreme adventurer and ambassador of the brand. Where one’s idea of challenging themself could be participating in a half-marathon, Horn’s version would be skiing to the North Pole unsupported. He has embarked on similar adventures across all terrains and climates, like when he cruised down the Amazon River or circumnavigated the globe without motorised assistance. During his adventures, life-or-death consequences loom over his every decision. And, get this, he even saved his own life with a watch once. Horn returns from each trip enriched with a new set of answers that he sought. What answers is he looking for? We chat with him to find out.

LET US START WITH THE MOST PRESSING QUESTION. YOU USED A WATCH TO SAVE YOUR LIFE?

I was climbing in the mountains, and I didn’t pack enough pitons (steel pegs that anchor climbers to the rock face). So I took off my watch, crammed it into a crack, and put the rope around it. Through this, I was able to abseil down the rock face. I did return to the same place sometime later to retrieve the watch, but I couldn’t find it. That was the Luminor North Pole GMT watch that Panerai made specifically for me.

SPEAKING OF CUSTOM WATCHES, WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EXPEDITION WATCH?