Actor Jason Statham spotted wearing a Panerai

When The Expendables 2 hit cinemas in 2012, most audiences were focused on the ensemble firepower on screen. Watch collectors, however, zeroed in on the wrist of Jason Statham's character Lee Christmas and the distinctly unconventional bronze case catching the light. The timepiece in question was the Panerai Luminor Submersible Bronzo PAM00382, and its appearance in a major Hollywood production helped cement both the model's cult status and the actor's reputation as a genuine watch enthusiast.

The Panerai Luminor Submersible Bronzo PAM00382 arrived in 2011 as a limited production piece, and it stands as one of the earliest examples of a major Swiss manufacture committing to a solid bronze case at scale. The 47mm cushion case is crafted from CuSn8 bronze alloy, chosen for its corrosion resistance in salt water and, crucially, its capacity to develop a rich, individualized patina over time. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres, and the unidirectional rotating bezel, crown-protecting bridge, and screw-down crown are all hallmarks of the Luminor Submersible DNA. The movement is Panerai's in-house Caliber P.9000, a double-barrel automatic with a 72-hour power reserve, three-day autonomy, and a quick-set date mechanism — a movement that marked a turning point in Panerai's push toward manufacture independence.

From a collector standpoint, the PAM00382 occupies a historically significant position. It predates the bronze boom that would see Oris, IWC, and others rush comparable materials to market. Early Bronzo references have become benchmarks for how a watch evolves as a personal object, with each case telling its own oxidation story. That narrative quality resonates strongly with serious Paneristi.

Statham's connection to Panerai is well documented beyond this screen appearance. The actor has been photographed wearing various references privately, and his casting of the Bronzo for Lee Christmas — a rough-edged, tactically competent character — reads as an authentic choice rather than accidental prop placement.

On the current grey market, the PAM00382 trades at considerably above its original retail, reflecting both the discontinued status of early Bronzo references and sustained collector demand. It represents one of the more compelling entry points into vintage-adjacent Panerai collecting.