Here we are with the Submersible PAM00692, Panerai’s first model offered with a case made of the brand’s innovative material BMG-Tech. Let’s see if BMG-Tech, which is launched with great hopes, will be able to show the expected performance.
Panerai is one of the most popular brands with its innovative designs. The BMG-Tech material, introduced at the SIHH fair of 2017, serves exactly this purpose. Derived from the abbreviation of the words Bulk Metallic Glass Technology, the new material is more durable than stainless steel and lighter than titanium as per Panerai’s statement.
The material introduced with the motto “an invisible but revolutionary innovation” seems to be quite successful on paper by being resistant to corrosion, impacts, magnetic fields and aging effects of time. The material, which is shaped by injection method under high temperature and pressure, has an irregular structure in seconds upon being cooled which can be observed at the molecular level and thus has additional hardness. According to Panerai, we have a new ultralight material that cannot be scratched or shattered. What more could we ask for? Now let’s look at the facts.
First of all, BMG-Tech is not a coating method, so we are talking about the same hardness for both the surface and the core. Since the rules of physics are valid in the world of luxury watchmaking, it is obvious that BMG-Tech cannot create miracles. If you want a watch to be resistant to scratches, you should increase its hardness. Increased hardness brings increased fragility. The most obvious example of this situation is experienced in ceramic cases. Due to its nature, ceramic is a very hard material and is resistant to scratches, but it is also very fragile against severe impacts. The situation in BMG-Tech is unfortunately not very different. Well, is that a bad thing? Not really. It is more like a reminder that the service bill may be heavy if you drop your watch.
Who knows, perhaps one of the reasons for PAM00692’s delay in the release date was to solve the problems in the case. When Panerai introduces this kind of innovations without offering technical data and tests, but only through advertising campaigns, question marks appear in my head. I clearly remember the problems in the composite case that created a great success as it was yesterday. Another detail about BMG-Tech is the difficulties in processing the material due to its hardness. This is the reason why the easy strap change system used in the Luminor and Submersible cases does not come with this model, as is the case in ceramic cases.
The case measures 47mm in diameter and features a solid case back made of titanium. It is water resistant to 300 meters like the rest of the models in the series and is equipped with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal on the front face.
The model is powered by the manufacture Caliber P.9010. 31 jewels/200 parts self-winding movement beats at 28.800vph and offers a three-day power reserve when fully wound. Second hand reset and hour hand moving in one-hour intervals while adjusting are among the other features of the movement.
Panerai Submersible BMG-Tech PAM00692 is distinguished by its eye-catching blue dial as well as its lightweight structure that offers great wrist comfort. As long as it is away from impacts, I am sure it will wear out less than any stainless steel or titanium case. Offered with a black rubber strap and a titanium pin buckle, the model is available for € 12,900.
