The popular fake Panerai watches created for the Italian Navy were made of austenitic stainless steel, a reliable material that was also resistant to the extreme environmental conditions in which the commandos operated. AISI 316L, a specification of the American Iron and Steel Institute, is an austenitic stainless steel alloy with a chromium content of 16–18%, 11–14% nickel and 2–3% molybdenum.
Officine Panerai uses the low-carbon variant of this alloy: the lower carbon content of the steel improves its welding qualities where the metal’s thickness is 6mm or less. The excellent technical qualities of this material make it an essential element of every new replica Officine Panerai collection.
The P.9000 calibre, created entirely by Officine Panerai and used in a series of charming copy Panerai Luminor 1950 and Radiomir models, is fitted with various functions: it is an automatic calibre with a 3-day power reserve and a unique technical design which makes these movements immediately recognizable.
The calibre has a diameter of 13 3/4 lignes and numerous features: two barrels which guarantee 72 hours of power reserve; a single piece rotor which winds by moving in both directions thanks to an automatic ratchet device; a balance wheel with adjusting screws, oscillating at a frequency of 4 Hz. To house this movement, a specially made version of the Luminor 1950 case has been designed, keeping the proportions of the original but featuring a slightly less convex sapphire crystal which only barely protrudes from the bezel.