Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic Replica Watch
The Case
According to Panerai, Carbotech is both lighter and stronger than ceramic or titanium, as well as being hypoallergenic. No two cases are the same due to each layer being compressed in a non-uniform pattern, so in addition to performance benefits, each piece is visually distinctive from one another.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic replica watch
as the name suggests, Carbotech is a composite material based on carbon fiber. It has an uneven, matte black appearance, which varies according to the cutting of the material. Thin sheets of carbon fibers are compressed at a controlled temperature under high pressure together with a high-tech polymer PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), which binds the composite material, making it stronger and more durable.
Carbotech is utilized in the case, rotating bezel, crown, and the lever bridge, which protects the crown.
Notably, the lever bridge, a signature feature on Luminor models, consists of a patented crown guard and a lever that holds the crown in place so as to prevent water from entering the case, without the need for a locking crown. Basically, when the lever is locked down, it pushes against the crown so as to prevent it from moving. The only issue I had with the design, is that the crown bridge makes it a bit harder to manually wind the if it had a standard crown. Having said that, if you want the signature Panerai crown bridge look, this is an inherent part of the design.
Thanks to the lever bridge (locking crown guard), gaskets seals, and the screw-in blackened titanium caseback, the Luminor Submersible is water-resistant to 300 meters, which is three times the 100 meters required by the ISO 6425 dive watch standard. And even though there is no helium escape valve, this is still a serious dive watch, although I’m sure its appeal will be more for leisurely divers than for professionals.
The rotating bezel has markers that Panerai refers to as “small studs” which allow the wearer to calculate immersion time, and can only rotate counterclockwise for safety (so it cannot be accidentally reset). A large stud at zero is treated with luminous material, and the first 15-minutes are marked by luminous engraved indexes, with additional luminous studs at 15, 30 and 45.
With strap attached, the watch weighs 135.5 grams. This is light relative to the considerable dimensions of the case (47 mm diameter x 16.8 mm thick x case 57.5 mm in length). The distance between the lugs is 26 mm.
The Dial
A black dial with a matte finish perfectly coordinates with the surfaces of the case, which are also completely matte. Large, applied luminous dots mark the hours, with the exception of printed luminous Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock, that punctuate the clutter-free dial.
Oversized, black, luminous, skeletonized hour and minute hands indicate the time, along with the subsidiary small seconds display at 9 o’clock. A blue hand is filled with luminous material and continuously circles the small seconds subdial — with blue dots, and luminous indexes marking 15-second graduations — every 60 seconds. A rectangular aperture at 3 o’clock displays the date.
The dial is uncluttered and features big, bold markers and hands, so it is easy to read — even in low light, thanks to the generous application of the luminous material. Any good watch should be easy to read, but when it is a professional dive watch, good legibility becomes a prerequisite. In fact, the ISO 6425 dive watch standard explicitly requires this, which is especially important underwater.
The Movement
The Panerai Carbotech is powered caliber P.9000, an in-house automatic movement, which runs at 4 Hz and consists of 197 components, including 28 jewels. Although it is covered by the solid caseback, the automatic rotor is skeletonized, and the watch has been decorated with a unique brushed finish. Thanks to two mainspring power barrels, the watch can run autonomously for three days (72 hours). A single-piece rotor winds the movement by moving in both directions thanks to an automatic ratchet device. Although you can not see it because the caseback is solid, the balance wheel is free-sprung and adjusted via screws.
Additional Details
The black titanium caseback is engraved “Florence 1860”, the city and year of birth of Panerai watchmaking, and the image of a Slow Speed Torpedo (SLC), the notorious “pig” on which in the 1940s the commandos of the Italian Navy sailed through the depths of the sea on their missions while wearing instruments made by Panerai.
Identified by the reference PAM00616, the new Luminor Submersible 1950 CarbotechTM is fitted with a black rubber strap, personalized for the first time by the OP logo in Panerai blue.
All of the luminous material has an artificially aged (tan) color which goes along with the vintage-inspired 1950s theme.
On the wrist, the watch is chunky, and while you can feel the weight, at no time did it feel too heavy or uncomfortable. It is large in a good way, and it is definitely not for anyone who hates big watches. Compared to other oversized watches I have worn, the smooth edges and overall ergonomic design results in an enjoyable wearing experience.
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