SIHH 2019 – Panerai PAM799 BMG-TECH Submersible

When I was doing the interview with new Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue, it was very clear that there was an emphasis on the Submersible line this coming SIHH. The Submersible line has always been the testing ground for innovative materials introduced by Officine Panerai. We saw two of these innovations in recent years with the introduction of the PAM616 Carbotech as well as a couple years ago with the PAM692 BMG-TECH. Both of these two watches became a hit amongst the Panerai community and now you can have the best of both worlds with the Panerai PAM799 BMG-TECH Submersible.

The new PAM799 features a 47mm Luminor Submersible case that is made entirely of BMG-TECH with a unidirectional bezel that is made out of Carbotech. The BMG-TECH case, which stands for Bulk Metallic Glass, is obtained from a particular glass-like alloy by a process which prevents a substantial crystalization. The alloy consists of zirconium, copper, aluminum, titanium, and nickel that is subjected to high pressure injection and a very high temperature and then cooled only for a few seconds so that that atoms do not have enough time to assume their regular orderly structure which is a normal function in crystals.

This method and chaotic structure of the material is a the secret that gives the BMG-TECH it’s properties. Greater strength with a greater resistance to corrosion, external shocks, and magnetic fields.

The Panerai PAM00799 features a black dial with blue dot indexes that are common with the submersible line as well as blue lume on the hands. This combination gives the dial superior visibility under all lighting conditions and even complete darkness. They achieve this functionality with the use of two different types Super-LumiNova used on the markers. This legibility is perfect for a submersible watch like this which is rated to go into the depths of the sea with a 300 meter water resistance rating.

The new BMG-TECH is powered by the workhorse in-house P.9010 automatic calibre with a power reserve of 3 days. This movement is created entirely by Officine Panerai and is comprised of 200 components, 31 jewels, and has a thickness of only 6mm. This thinner movement as we have seen in more recent 1950’s cases allows it to be a slimmer body for a better fit on the wrist compared to the previous models.

As with most Luminor Submersible models the PAM799 comes on a accordion style rubber straps which can be changed out to something else in the event you aren’t diving giving it a look that can be perfect for any type of event.

With Officine Panerai going very heavy with the Submersible pieces this SIHH, I have to say this combination and design on the PAM799 so far is one of the front runners for me as release of the show. We will have to see what the year holds before we can call it a complete winner.

PANERAI PAM799

MOVEMENT: Automatic mechanical, P. 9010 calibre, entirely executed by Panerai. 13 3/4 lignes, 6mm thick, 31 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, Incabloc anti-shock device, two barrels

FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, calculation of immersion time.

CASE: 47 mm, BMG-TECH. Carbotech unidirectional rotating bezel. Titanium back. Device protecting the crown (protected as a trademark) in brushed titanium.

DIAL: Black with luminous hour markers and dots. Date at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock.

POWER RESERVE: 72 hours.

WATER-RESISTANCE: 30 bar (~ 300 metres).

STRAP: Black caoutchouc strap, trapezoidal brushed titanium buckle.

More information: www.Panerai.com