Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 BMG-TECH 3 Days Automatic

Is this Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 BMG-TECH 3 Days Automatic really new? It looks like any Submersible 1950 and we’ve seen blue dials on this model before. But the word BMG-tech^tm with that very important ^tm sign is everywhere in the press release. What’s so special about it?

BMG-tech is an abbreviation for Bulk Metallic Glass Technology and you know ^tm: it’s probably new and registered. Watchmakers are always looking for new materials to use on watches. On one hand to improve the watch itself by using harder, scratch-resistant and less vulnerable materials. On the other hand, with new materials watchmakers can stand out from their competitors. The reason why Paneria recently launched a model made of carbotech.

The case of the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 BMG-TECH 3 Days Automatic is created from chaos

Let’s do some chemistry. Bulk Metallic Glass is a glass-like alloy made in a way that prevents crystallization. This glass-like alloy is a mixture of zirconium, copper, aluminium, titanium and nickel. These are subjected to a high-pressure injection process at a high temperature. With a normal cooldown process the atoms of the materials would crystallize in regular geometric structures. But when the cooling process only lasts a few seconds they don’t have enough time for that, with an atomic chaos as a result. And chaos always brings something new. In this case, it’s controlled chaos: when you repeat the whole process in exactly the same way, exactly the same chaos will arise. And this chaos is named Bulk Metallic Glass Technology^tm.

Of course, the whole process is a secret. But more important, this new material is harder and lighter than steel. And it is extremely corrosion resistant, robust and resistant to external shocks and magnetic fields. Which makes it perfect for diving. The 47-millimeter case, uni-directional rotating bezel, crown and crown protection mechanism is from BMG, the case back is from titanium.

The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 BMG-TECH 3 Days Automatic houses a new movement: the Panerai caliber P.9010. Beating at 28,000 vibrations per hour it provides a 72-hour power-reserve. The model is also available with other case materials: titanium, stainless steel, red gold or bronze.