The Panerai Submersible PAM01024 is a holdover from the era when Panerai still used modified ETA-based movements with a date cyclops on the crystal. Modern Submersibles dropped the Cyclops when the in-house calibers arrived. The 1024 keeps it, and that is what separates this reference from the current lineup. The case finishing is also different. Polished case body and crown guard, brushed bezel. Most Submersibles are uniformly brushed or coated. The 1024 mixes finish the way older Panerai dive watches did. VSF Watch Factory got the movement modification and the cyclops right.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factory | VSF Watch Factory |
| Reference | PAM01024 (Submersible 44mm, black dial) |
| Movement | Dandong custom OP XXX automatic (modified 7750 architecture, 1:1 super clone) |
| Case dimensions | 44mm diameter, 15.6mm thick |
| Material | 316L stainless steel, polished case and crown guard, satin-brushed bezel |
| Bezel | Unidirectional rotating 316L stainless steel, brushed with polished raised graduations and luminous pip |
| Crystal | Sapphire with outer magnifying cyclops over date |
| Dial | Matte black, painted Super-LumiNova Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 plus dot indices, skeletonized luminous hands, date at 3, small seconds at 9 |
| Strap | Black caoutchouc (rubber) diver strap with embossed "PANERAI" block lettering, polished steel Pre-V tang buckle |
The movement. This is the one that uses a modified 7750 architecture instead of the P.9010. The genuine PAM01024 runs on Panerai's OP XXX caliber, which is an ETA 7750 with the chronograph functions removed and the gear train reworked. Dandong did the same thing with their 7750 clone. They stripped the unnecessary chronograph modules, optimized the winding, and set up the running seconds at 9. The result is a movement that behaves the way it should without the bulk of an unmodified 7750 pushing the case thickness up. The sweeping seconds hand is smooth. The date clicks over cleanly. The winding feel is firm without grinding. If you are used to the P.9010 in the Luminor models, this is a different movement family with a different feel, but it is the correct architecture for this reference.
The cyclops. The magnifier sits on top of the crystal over the date window at 3. It is a small lens that enlarges the date numeral. On the gen it is bonded to the sapphire and has its own AR coating. VSF matched the magnification level and the lens is centered correctly over the date window. On a lot of reps the cyclops is slightly misaligned or the magnification is off. VSF got this one right. The date numeral fills the lens without distortion around the edges.
The case finishing. Polished case body and crown guard, brushed bezel. This is the older Submersible finishing convention. Modern Submersibles tend to be all-brushed or coated. The polished surfaces on the 1024 catch more light and make the watch read a little dressier than a fully brushed dive watch. The brushed bezel with polished raised graduations breaks up the reflections and keeps the watch grounded in its tool-watch function. VSF's polish work is clean and the transition between the polished case and the brushed bezel is sharp.
The dial. Matte black with painted lume dots and Arabic numerals at 12 and 6. The indices are printed directly on the dial surface rather than cut into a sandwich layer. The lume is a warm vintage tone that matches the older Submersible aesthetic. Skeletonized hands with luminous fill. The small seconds subdial is at 9. The date window sits at 3 under the cyclops. Clean, simple, no gradient or sunburst. It is a dive watch dial.
The strap. Black rubber with "PANERAI" embossed down both sides in block lettering. The older strap branding with the full name rather than the modern "OP" logo. The rubber is thick and holds its shape. The polished steel tang buckle matches the polished case. Like any Panerai, the strap is quick-release and the watch works on canvas or leather just as well. For actual water use, the rubber strap is the right call.