VS Factory Panerai Submersible PAM01697 P.900 Movement Guide
The VS Factory Panerai Submersible PAM01697 is a 44mm mechanical dive-watch configuration combining a brushed stainless-steel case with a matte green ceramic rotating bezel and an integrated P.900-style automatic movement.
Unlike a conventional Luminor configuration, the Submersible platform places additional emphasis on the rotating dive-time bezel and its relationship with the case, dial and crown-protection system.
For technical documentation, the most useful characteristics of this VS version are the 44mm case dimensions, green ceramic bezel construction, bezel operation and alignment, crown-protection system and integrated P.900-style movement architecture.
44mm Submersible Case
The PAM01697 uses a 44mm case format.
Case diameter alone does not completely describe the physical size of a Submersible.
For an individual QC record, useful measurements include:
Case Width → Lug-to-Lug → Thickness → Complete Weight
The thickness and lug-to-lug measurements are particularly useful when comparing the PAM01697 with other 44mm Panerai models.
Brushed Stainless-Steel Case
The supplied configuration uses a brushed stainless-steel case.
Brushed finishing creates a directional surface texture that reacts differently to light from polished metal.
For technical photography, angled lighting can reveal the direction and consistency of the brushing more clearly.
Useful areas to document include:
- Bezel surround
- Case sides
- Lugs
- Crown-protection bridge
- Crown
- Caseback
- Strap connection
Close-up photographs are particularly useful around transitions between different components.
Matte Green Ceramic Bezel
One of the defining characteristics of the PAM01697 is its matte green ceramic rotating bezel.
Ceramic color can vary considerably in photographs depending on the lighting environment, camera exposure and white balance.
The same green bezel should therefore ideally be photographed under:
Neutral Light → Natural Light → Angled Light
This provides considerably more useful information than describing the color as an exact match to another watch.
Diving-Time Bezel
The rotating bezel is a functional component rather than only an exterior design element.
It allows elapsed time to be read against the minute hand.
For an individual watch, useful QC checks include:
- Rotation direction
- Click consistency
- Rotational resistance
- Back play
- Marker alignment
- Lateral movement
- Return to reference position
A complete rotation video is useful for documenting the mechanical feel and operation.
Bezel Alignment
The reference marker on the bezel should also be examined relative to the dial.
A straight front photograph makes it easier to compare:
Bezel Reference Marker → 12 O’Clock Dial Position → Minute Hand
This is particularly useful for a dive-style watch because the bezel is an active timing component.
Green Ceramic Surface
The supplied version describes the ceramic as having a matte surface treatment.
Matte ceramic reflects light differently from a highly polished ceramic insert.
Macro photographs can document the surface texture, engraved or applied markings and transitions between the ceramic component and surrounding metal.
Any claims about scratch resistance should remain separate from actual QC inspection; ceramic is generally hard, but this does not mean it is impossible to damage.
Submersible Dial Architecture
The PAM01697 uses the highly legible layout associated with the Submersible platform.
For QC purposes, useful dial areas include:
- Hour markers
- Numerals
- Minute track
- Hour hand
- Minute hand
- Small-seconds display
- Date display, where applicable
- Printing
- Luminous material
A straight-on photograph provides the clearest reference for alignment.
Luminous Display
Lume is particularly relevant to a dive-watch-style configuration.
A controlled lume test can compare:
Bezel Marker → Hour Markers → Hour Hand → Minute Hand
All luminous components should be charged under the same conditions before photography.
The resulting image can document luminous color, distribution and initial brightness on the individual watch.
Crown-Protection System
The PAM01697 retains Panerai’s recognizable crown-protection bridge architecture.
This component should be tested mechanically.
A useful QC sequence is:
Open Lever → Access Crown → Wind / Set → Return Crown → Close Lever
The lever should operate consistently and close securely against the crown.
Integrated P.900-Style Movement
The supplied VS configuration uses what is described as an integrated P.900-style automatic mechanical movement.
This is an important distinction for your movement database.
Rather than using an unrelated base caliber covered by a decorative plate, the supplied configuration is presented as a movement constructed around a P.900-style integrated layout.
However, it should still not be identified as an original Panerai P.900 caliber.
For database purposes, the appropriate classification is:
VS Factory → Integrated P.900-Style Automatic Movement
Integrated Movement vs Decorative-Plate Movement
This distinction is worth preserving because two movements can appear similar through the caseback while being constructed differently underneath.
A decorative-plate solution starts with another movement architecture and modifies its visible appearance.
An integrated-style movement instead attempts to reproduce the relevant layout through the movement’s own structural components.
For a technical database, identifying this difference is more useful than simply describing both movements as “P.900.”
Movement Functional Testing
The movement should be tested independently on every individual watch.
Useful checks include:
Manual Winding → Time Setting → Date Operation → Crown Positions → Automatic Winding
The exact crown-setting sequence should be documented from the actual movement rather than assumed solely from the caliber name.
Timegrapher Data
Useful movement measurements include:
Daily Rate → Amplitude → Beat Error → Beat Rate
These figures provide a snapshot of the individual movement’s condition at the time of QC.
If you perform a complete power-reserve test, the measured running duration should also be added to the individual QC article.
Super Clone Watch and PAM01697 Technical Data
That gives your database first-hand data rather than repeating a factory specification.
The term super clone watch is commonly used within the replica-watch market, but it does not represent a standardized technical specification.
For the VS PAM01697, more useful information comes from documenting the actual 44mm case, brushed steel construction, matte green ceramic bezel, integrated P.900-style movement, actual dimensions, weight and Timegrapher measurements.
For individual measurements and movement results, see our VS Factory Panerai PAM01697 QC Test.
Details Worth Checking
For an individual VS PAM01697, first record the actual case width, lug-to-lug, thickness and complete weight.
The matte green ceramic bezel should then be photographed under several controlled lighting conditions.
The bezel should undergo a complete rotation test while its alignment, click consistency and back play are documented.
The crown-protection bridge should be opened and closed several times.
For the P.900-style movement, record daily rate, amplitude, beat error and beat rate, followed by winding, time-setting and calendar-function testing where applicable.
Finally, a lume photograph can compare the bezel marker, dial markers and hands under identical charging conditions.
Technical Specifications
Specification Details
Factory VS Factory
Collection Panerai Submersible
Reference PAM01697
Case Size 44mm
Case Material Stainless Steel
Case Finish Brushed
Bezel Green Ceramic
Bezel Finish Matte
Bezel Function Rotating Dive-Time Bezel
Movement Integrated P.900-Style Automatic
Winding Automatic / Manual
Crown System Crown-Protection Bridge
Actual Thickness Recommended to Measure
Actual Weight Recommended to Measure
FAQ
- What size is the VS Factory PAM01697?
The supplied configuration uses a 44mm Submersible case. Actual thickness, lug-to-lug and weight should be measured on the individual watch.
- What movement does the VS PAM01697 use?
This configuration is supplied with a VS integrated P.900-style automatic mechanical movement.
- Is the movement an original Panerai P.900?
No. It should be classified as a P.900-style replica movement, rather than an original Panerai-manufactured P.900 caliber.
- What is special about the PAM01697 bezel?
The supplied configuration uses a matte green ceramic rotating dive-time bezel. Its color, surface texture, alignment and mechanical rotation can all be documented separately during QC.
- What should be checked on the rotating bezel?
Useful checks include rotation direction, click consistency, resistance, back play, lateral movement and alignment of the reference marker with the dial.
- What should be checked during QC?
Useful checks include actual dimensions, thickness, weight, daily rate, amplitude, beat error, beat rate, winding, crown operation, calendar function where applicable, bezel rotation, bezel alignment, green ceramic surface, crown-protection bridge and lume consistency.
