I will be pretty honest in this article: I am not a number one fan of Panerai watches. Even though I love the watch industry enormously and carefully follow the evolution of top brands, I do not resonate with the Panerai brand at all. And I know very well that this brand makes very sustainable watch constructions. But there is something in their design that does not find a place in my watch preferences.
At the same time…
I have to be objective and I understand that my personal opinion cannot serve as a reference for those who are die-hard fans of the brand. Accordingly, I will be as objective as possible in this article and review the Panerai Submersible Quaranta Quattro Luna Rossa PAM01391 model in the most reasonable way.
The first thing you need to know is that this is probably one of the Panerai models that is, more or less, to my liking. The original model was released relatively recently, in 2022, and it didn’t take long until the replica manufacturers came up with the first fake version. Let’s see what this replica release entails.
General specifications of the Quaranta Quattro Luna Rossa PAM01391 replica watch
The first specific aspect of the model is its generous proportion. Here we are talking about a diameter of 44mm, which may be both attractive for lovers of oversized watches and a disadvantage for those familiar with more subtle proportions.
Even if the watch case is very similar to the other watches in the collection, it still has distinctive features. It is precisely these features that attract me to this model. It is about the shape of the bezel, which has a flattered structure. Thanks to this structure, the watch acquires a slightly elegant charisma, taking a step back from traditional sports charisma.
The upper part of the bezel looks unusual, being decorated with generous dots that resonate by aspect with the dots that represent the hour markers. In dark conditions, both the bezel dots and those on the dial shine brightly due to the generous lume filling.
Further on…
An element that adds visual volume to this replica model is the pronounced lugs around the dial, which give the watch a square shape, with slightly rounded corners. These, just like the watch case, are made of 316l stainless steel. By the way, Panerai chose the same material for making the original model.
Just like was to be expected from a Submersible, the specific protector around the crown is not missing in this model. This one has the role to protect the crown, while also making the watch stand out from other watches in the industry. I want to mention that few brands advance in creating these types of crown protectors. Another brand in which we find a similar design is Omega with its Ploprof collection.
The protector of the Luna Rossa replica does not compromise the handling of the crown at all. But when I put the watch on my wrist, I can’t adjust to it at all.
The case of the watch, as well as the lugs, feature a brushed finish. I can’t say that I am exactly impressed by the quality of the brushing. In some places, the finish has gaps and is not homogeneous, especially in hard-to-reach areas. However, these gaps are unlikely to be noticed by the naked eye. I notice them because I have a trained eye.
Water resistance specifications
The original model of the watch really impressed me with its water resistance capacity. Panerai created it to withstand up to 300 meters. From another point of view, I couldn’t expect less from a Submersible, which by definition must be water resistant, right?
At the same time, I was also surprised to see that most stores that sell the replica model of this watch claim that it also withstands up to 300 meters. Honestly, I don’t understand why they would do it, because the imitation is actually resistant up to 50 meters. This was confirmed to me by the watch manufacturers themselves.
Of course, 50 meters doesn’t sound nearly as promising as the 300m of the original model, but that’s the truth you need to know. A replica watch around $250 cannot have a water resistance profile of 300 meters. Keep this aspect in mind when buying a fake watch.
Dial accuracy
I want to say that I appreciate this model, especially for the accuracy of its dial. I really like that it is clean, quite minimalistic for a diver, and not busy at all. Panerai pulled the trigger with this dial because thanks to it, the watch looks very balanced. Let’s be honest: the structure of the case looks quite complex by itself.
And if the dial is busy with too many indications and design elements, the watch looks ugly. A good example of this is the Forzi Speciali line or Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition PAM01240. I know that they have an extraordinary technical capacity, but their design is too much for my taste.
On the other hand…
Things are much more pleasing to the eye with the Quaranta Quattro Luna Rossa PAM01391 model. The dial comes in a deep blue shade on its entire surface. Even the subdial at 9 o’clock and the date window at 3 o’clock feature a blue background. The hour markers and sub-dial indices contrast with bright white dots, filled with lume.
The main focus of the dial falls on the minute and hour hands, which have a rather wide shape and become pointy at the tips. These are a bit too wide for my taste, but they fit quite well in the context, considering the clean background.
Also…
A red chromatic accent catches the attention of the small seconds sub-dial on the left side of the watch face. The red arrow emphasizes the sporty style of the watch and combines well with the red line on the strap. At the same time, the satin blue face harmonizes quite melodiously with the color of the strap material.
As a final thought, I quite like to see elegant features sneaking through the sporty features of this replica watch. At the same time, I am really content with the sweet-toned combination between the appearance of the case including the dial, and the shade of the texture of the strap that accompanies it.
Final thoughts
In my opinion, this replica model is one of the most successful I know. At least, from the perspective of the physical aspect. Even though the Submersible models from the Panerai collection will probably never be part of my watch collection, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of your attention. All of us have a watch model with which we simply do not resonate, without any solid reason for this.
If you are among those who love the Panerai brand and are looking for a Panerai replica model, here are the conclusions you must make regarding this model.
Pros:
This replica watch benefits from a very pleasant appearance. Even if the watch exudes a strong sporty charisma, it also has slightly delicate elements, expressed through the accuracy of the dial.
The price of this replica watch is as affordable as possible. It comes in 316 stainless steel, with sapphire crystal, an AAA-type mechanism, and a fabric band. Accordingly, this model will not cost you much.
Its brightness in the dark is downright fabulous.
The watch feels firm and compact on the wrist. Also, the clasp mechanism is quite safe.
Cons
I’m not sure if the 44mm diameter is right for you. Make sure you are ok with such a diameter before purchasing the model.
You may notice some gaps in the brushed finish in places. I don’t know if these gaps are specific to all the watches in this series. At least, the one I’m holding in my hands for review has them. If you decide to buy the watch, request additional photos from the dealer to make sure you are content with its finish.
The crown protector creates a lot of discomfort for me. Possibly, it’s because of the shape of my wrist. Many people I know with this watch model have not reported any discomfort related to this protector.
The water resistance of this replica watch leaves much to be desired. Possibly, the manufacturers will improve the water-resistance profile with the next releases. But, I cannot guarantee this. I will keep you updated.