There have been a plenty of interesting replica watches released recently. Generally, this interest was centered complication — and rightly so, it’s really the exact watch industry’s traditional bailiwick. But as far as I am concerned, one of the most interesting collections overall was the fake Panerai.
Accomplished at the higher end of the spectrum, Panerai tends not to play the complication game, which is completely in keeping with the brand’s rough and tumble history. On the contrary, they went down a different route. Panerai’s SIHH 2019 releases were particularly Submersible models, several of which tie into the replica Panerai’s existing brand partnerships — including a series of extremely limited pieces that come with a rather incredible money-can’t-buy experience bundled in, a pivot to a more experiential offering that’s a smart play. After all, what better way to immerse yourself in the world of Panerai than free diving in French Polynesia, or training with Italian commandos?
The fake watch we’re looking at today is part of this equation – it’s the Mike Horn Edition, made in accordance with legendary explorer and long-time Panerai ambassador Mike Horn. It is a tough, reliable dive watch on the surface, but look a little deeper and the real message of this watch comes through. Mike Horn is, apart from being exceptionally well-travelled, a passionate advocate for the protection and preservation of our earth. And to that end, much effort has been made to make this Submersible as sustainable as possible.
The 47mm case is made of EcoTitanium, which is coming from recycled already-processed titanium, mostly from the aerospace industry. The supple strap is also rather green. It’s made from recycled PET, and is quite comfortable on the wrist. Otherwise, all is as you’d expect from the fake Panerai. A generous 300 metres of water resistance, three days of power reserve thanks to the P.9010 movement, and a highly legible dial, surrounded by a fully EcoTitanium bezel. The text printed on the crystal is a nice touch.
The popular model isn’t just a fresh take on the Submersible, and it’s a fresh take on corporate social responsibility. What’s more, if this is a concept you can really get behind, there’s always its more limited cousin, the amazing replica model, which consists of an arctic expedition with Mike himself in the sticker price.