With the deluge of PAM Submersible reps that were released last month, I felt like a kid having to choose from a pile of gifts (coincidentally, it was my birth month 
). There were so many choices, each with their own unique characteristics, 508 (Ceramic), 571 (Yacht's Challenge 10th year), 371 (Blue dial) and the 569 (Destro, hobnail). As I just parted with my last destro watch (sold to a friend who was leaving the country) and I have never had a hobnail dial PAM before, I decided on getting the PAM 00569 Luminor Submersible 1950 Left-Handed 3 Days Automatic Titanio.
). There were so many choices, each with their own unique characteristics, 508 (Ceramic), 571 (Yacht's Challenge 10th year), 371 (Blue dial) and the 569 (Destro, hobnail). As I just parted with my last destro watch (sold to a friend who was leaving the country) and I have never had a hobnail dial PAM before, I decided on getting the PAM 00569 Luminor Submersible 1950 Left-Handed 3 Days Automatic Titanio. V6F PAM00569 Review
The original watch was released as a special edition of 1000 pieces during the 2014 SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) which is arguably one of the, if not the, biggest horological event in the world for luxury watches, kind of like the CES or MWC of luxury watches. The description for the watch is as follows:
The new Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible Left-handed Titanio PAM00569 is a Special Edition made in 1000 pieces with a 47mm case in brushed titanium, a material resistant to corrosion by salt water as well as to acids, alkalies and industrial chemical products. Strong like steel but much lighter, titanium is also very comfortable on the wrist. The PAM 569 features the winding crown and its trademarked protection device at 9 o'clock, on the left hand side of the case, making it the perfect choice for those who likes to wear the watch on the right wrist. The dial is characterised by the unusual hobnail decoration (Clous de Paris) and the vintage coloured luminescent coating used for the hands, the circular and baton hour markers, and the lume dot on the rotating bezel at 12 o'clock. Water resistant to 300 metres / 1000 feet, this new Luminor Submersible 1950 model is powered by the automatic P.9000 manufacture calibre beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering 3 days of power reserve thanks to two barrels.
It is kind of amazing and terrifying (if you work in the Swiss Watch industry) that the time to replicate is going shorter and shorter, the latest example of which is the PAM604 which is half finished barely two weeks after its announcement at the SIHH 2015. But that's for another time. My review watch was purchased from TSWatch, but you could get it at your favorite Trusted Dealer. As I ordered it during this period of slight adjustments to the rep, I would suggest you mention to your dealer to get you the latest version with the flush CP (although I also mentioned to check the pearl). I changed the strap from the included rep strap (it's too big for me on the smallest hole ) to a Simona black leather strap with ecru stitching which complements the patina lume dial and sewn in buckle which fortunately matches the titanium case. So on to the review proper.
First off, it is such a beautiful watch to behold in person. The play of light on the brushed and polished surfaces make it such a joy to wear. Obligatory wrist shot then gen on the right:
The case is your typical 47mm 1950s case, same as the Sinstro (or right-handed) PAM382 "Bronzo". As this is a V6F (or otherwise known as KW) release, it can be distinguished for now but the characteristic chamfer on the crown guard. Photos separated from left to right.
I did notice that on the gen, the chamfer on the underside of the bezel is bigger than on the rep. It is something that is not visible most of the time since you are looking at the watch directly at the face, but thought I'd mention for completeness' sake. Gen photo.
The bezel dots and numbered markers are polished to a high level as well, making them float above the brushed bezel which has a circular brushing. The text on the numbered bezels are clear and crisp.
The pearl, a very sore point for the PAM508, is fortunately, well shaped, with the lume deposited in the cavity and then the clear resin is poured over and probably finished in a way that it looks rounded.
The lugs on one side has the QR system which is typical among automatic PAMs, except for the bronze and ceramic ones.
Lug holes are nicely placed, not too close to the edge.
DIAL : DIAL, SUBDIAL, MARKERS, CP
The dial has a waffle/hobnail dial effect, formally called the Clous de Paris (translated Nails of Paris). It is evident on the dial shots later that the execution is perfect, uniform and not a square out of proportion.
The subdial has a superb matte finish with nicely finished markers, lumed and un-lumed. The subdial hand is the same length as gen.
The lume on the dots and the line markers aren't as even as I'd like, but take note these are macro shots taken with a macro lens attachment. I couldn't see them with my naked eye up close, never mind at an arm's length
The cannon pinion, which was markedly sunken and at the same time was pointed, was commented on by some members. Now if that was a direct result of forum feedback, we don't know. It is certainly appreciated that the fix was made quickly by the factory.
The date in the window is nice and centered. There is no white line which shows the cutout for the window like in some reps. The bright area on the bottom of the date window is from sunlight coming from the other direction.
CASEBACK
The caseback has the usual markings, except for the PIG, which is same as the one in the PAM390, below the FIRENZE 1860 text. Nicely done, not shallow nor Marianas trench deep.
The serial number is Q series with the correct millesimation of 1000.
LUME
Well, I was only able to get one decent lume shot. But it wasn't something surprising anyway. :lol: Nuclear lume. With ambient light and in total darkness.
EXTRA SHOTS
Some extra macro shots.
So there you go, the review of the V6F PAM569. If someone lends me their ZF I can make a comparo but I don't see anything on the ZF that would be better, honestly speaking. In light of the tells on the rep which cannot be seen with the naked eye (lume dots) nor knowledge of the gen construction (bigger chamfer on the underside of the bezel), I would be confident in saying this is at least a very high-level first class if not a super replica (IMHO of course). Thank you for reading.
The new Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible Left-handed Titanio PAM00569 is a Special Edition made in 1000 pieces with a 47mm case in brushed titanium, a material resistant to corrosion by salt water as well as to acids, alkalies and industrial chemical products. Strong like steel but much lighter, titanium is also very comfortable on the wrist. The PAM 569 features the winding crown and its trademarked protection device at 9 o'clock, on the left hand side of the case, making it the perfect choice for those who likes to wear the watch on the right wrist. The dial is characterised by the unusual hobnail decoration (Clous de Paris) and the vintage coloured luminescent coating used for the hands, the circular and baton hour markers, and the lume dot on the rotating bezel at 12 o'clock. Water resistant to 300 metres / 1000 feet, this new Luminor Submersible 1950 model is powered by the automatic P.9000 manufacture calibre beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering 3 days of power reserve thanks to two barrels.
It is kind of amazing and terrifying (if you work in the Swiss Watch industry) that the time to replicate is going shorter and shorter, the latest example of which is the PAM604 which is half finished barely two weeks after its announcement at the SIHH 2015. But that's for another time.
My review watch was purchased from TSWatch, but you could get it at your favorite Trusted Dealer. As I ordered it during this period of slight adjustments to the rep, I would suggest you mention to your dealer to get you the latest version with the flush CP (although I also mentioned to check the pearl). I changed the strap from the included rep strap (it's too big for me on the smallest hole ) to a Simona black leather strap with ecru stitching which complements the patina lume dial and sewn in buckle which fortunately matches the titanium case. So on to the review proper.First off, it is such a beautiful watch to behold in person. The play of light on the brushed and polished surfaces make it such a joy to wear. Obligatory wrist shot then gen on the right:
CASE : MIDDLE CASE, CG, BEZEL
The case is your typical 47mm 1950s case, same as the Sinstro (or right-handed) PAM382 "Bronzo". As this is a V6F (or otherwise known as KW) release, it can be distinguished for now but the characteristic chamfer on the crown guard. Photos separated from left to right.
The bezel has a slight chamfer, which fortunately for the PAM569, is executed on the V6F version (its Bronzo bezel was one of that particular rep's failures) and highly polished, which gives it a very luxurious look. Whole watch then close-up and side view.
I did notice that on the gen, the chamfer on the underside of the bezel is bigger than on the rep. It is something that is not visible most of the time since you are looking at the watch directly at the face, but thought I'd mention for completeness' sake. Gen photo.
The bezel dots and numbered markers are polished to a high level as well, making them float above the brushed bezel which has a circular brushing. The text on the numbered bezels are clear and crisp.
The pearl, a very sore point for the PAM508, is fortunately, well shaped, with the lume deposited in the cavity and then the clear resin is poured over and probably finished in a way that it looks rounded.
The lugs on one side has the QR system which is typical among automatic PAMs, except for the bronze and ceramic ones.
Lug holes are nicely placed, not too close to the edge.
DIAL : DIAL, SUBDIAL, MARKERS, CP
The dial has a waffle/hobnail dial effect, formally called the Clous de Paris (translated Nails of Paris). It is evident on the dial shots later that the execution is perfect, uniform and not a square out of proportion.
The subdial has a superb matte finish with nicely finished markers, lumed and un-lumed. The subdial hand is the same length as gen.
The lume on the dots and the line markers aren't as even as I'd like, but take note these are macro shots taken with a macro lens attachment. I couldn't see them with my naked eye up close, never mind at an arm's length
The cannon pinion, which was markedly sunken and at the same time was pointed, was commented on by some members. Now if that was a direct result of forum feedback, we don't know. It is certainly appreciated that the fix was made quickly by the factory.
The date in the window is nice and centered. There is no white line which shows the cutout for the window like in some reps. The bright area on the bottom of the date window is from sunlight coming from the other direction.
CASEBACK
The caseback has the usual markings, except for the PIG, which is same as the one in the PAM390, below the FIRENZE 1860 text. Nicely done, not shallow nor Marianas trench deep.
The serial number is Q series with the correct millesimation of 1000.
LUME
Well, I was only able to get one decent lume shot. But it wasn't something surprising anyway. :lol: Nuclear lume. With ambient light and in total darkness.
EXTRA SHOTS
Some extra macro shots.
So there you go, the review of the V6F PAM569. If someone lends me their ZF I can make a comparo but I don't see anything on the ZF that would be better, honestly speaking. In light of the tells on the rep which cannot be seen with the naked eye (lume dots) nor knowledge of the gen construction (bigger chamfer on the underside of the bezel), I would be confident in saying this is at least a very high-level first class if not a super replica (IMHO of course). Thank you for reading.
