The New VS Factory PAM1070 May Be One of the Most Wearable Panerai Replicas in Recent Years
The market is only partially back to normal after the New Year holiday. Some factories have already started taking orders again, but most workshops are still not fully operating, and many dealers are dealing with a large backlog collected during the holiday break. This situation happens almost every year. Once the factories officially reopen, the first batches of orders usually move the slowest, especially from the more popular manufacturers.
Among all replica watch categories, Panerai has become one of the few segments where VS Factory still maintains a very strong position without much serious competition. Over the past several years, they gradually built a complete system around Panerai super clone movements, case construction, thickness control, and lume quality. Because of that, whenever a new Panerai model appears in the market, most collectors are no longer asking which factory will make it first. Instead, they simply wait for VS.
The PAM1070 is one of those releases that immediately feels different from the older Submersible models people are already familiar with. It still belongs to the Submersible collection, but instead of following the oversized 47mm route that Panerai became known for years ago, this watch uses a more wearable 44mm case size. VS also managed to keep the thickness around 15mm, which makes a surprisingly big difference once the watch is actually on the wrist.
One reason why many older Panerai replicas became difficult to wear daily was not only the diameter, but the overall mass and thickness. Large dimensions can still work if the watch is balanced properly, but some previous replicas felt excessively heavy and top-loaded, especially when paired with rubber straps. The PAM1070 feels more controlled. It still has the aggressive Submersible presence, but without becoming uncomfortable after several hours.
What really changes the character of this watch, however, is the material combination. This is not a traditional military-style Panerai. VS combined rose gold tones, forged carbon, black rubber, and modern finishing into something that feels much closer to the fusion style that Hublot popularized years ago. It gives the watch a more contemporary personality compared to older Submersible references.
The rose gold tone used by VS is warmer than the color many factories use on replica Rolex models. It is less reddish and slightly closer to yellow gold under certain lighting conditions. The entire case uses brushed finishing, including the crown bridge system that Panerai collectors pay close attention to. The brushing on the crown bridge is slightly rougher and more visible compared to the smoother brushing on the case sides, but overall the watch still keeps a consistent tool-watch appearance.
The forged carbon bezel is probably the most important visual element on the entire watch. More factories are experimenting with carbon materials now, but the difference between cheap carbon texture and realistic forged carbon remains obvious. Some factories simply print artificial patterns that immediately look flat and fake. VS at least managed to recreate the irregular layered texture that real forged carbon usually has.
Of course, there is still a visible difference compared to genuine material. Authentic forged carbon has more depth under direct lighting, especially when the resin layers react differently to changing angles. Replica factories are still unable to fully reproduce that effect, particularly under sunlight. But compared to many earlier attempts in the replica market, the bezel on this PAM1070 avoids the cheap plastic look that often ruins carbon-based replicas.
The dial layout remains very recognizable as a Panerai design, but VS added enough contrast to keep the watch visually interesting. The black dial includes a subtle sunburst effect, while the small seconds subdial uses a recessed gray structure that breaks the otherwise monochromatic appearance. The sunburst texture is visible under light, although it still lacks some of the smooth refinement found on the genuine watch.
The central hour and minute hands use a skeletonized structure with white lume filling on top. Around the edges, the gold finishing again leans more toward yellow gold than traditional rose gold. That detail slightly changes the overall feeling of the watch. Instead of looking like a luxurious dress-oriented gold watch, the PAM1070 feels more like an industrial-style sports watch with gold elements added into the design.
Another noticeable change on recent VS Panerai releases is the return of solid case backs. The PAM1070 follows the same direction. The rear side includes the classic OP markings and engraved numbering, while the movement remains hidden underneath. Some collectors still prefer sapphire display backs because they like seeing the movement architecture directly, but many genuine Panerai models also use solid backs, so this design still feels authentic to the brand identity.
One small detail I actually like is the tiny OP engraving on the lug area. It is not an aggressive design element trying to attract attention immediately. Instead, it feels like one of those smaller details owners slowly begin noticing after spending more time with the watch. Modern replicas sometimes focus too heavily on obvious front-facing details, while smaller finishing elements often matter more during long-term ownership.
Inside the watch is VS Factory’s super clone P.900 movement. This movement has existed for years and is one of the earliest Panerai clone calibers that VS successfully stabilized. Many people discussing replica movements today focus too much on specifications or visual similarity, but long-term reliability is still the factor that matters most in daily use.
That reliability is one reason why VS continues dominating the Panerai replica segment. Their watches generally maintain lower movement failure rates compared to many competitors, especially within the P-series lineup. The P.900 platform has already been tested for years across the market, so most experienced buyers no longer worry much about stability when purchasing a VS Panerai.
The watch comes fitted with a black rubber strap, while VS also includes an additional nylon strap for free. In recent years, many Panerai collectors started returning to nylon and textile straps because they reinforce the military-inspired tool-watch character that originally made Panerai popular. Compared to rubber straps, woven materials usually make the watch feel rougher, lighter, and more practical.
Honestly, the PAM1070 is probably not the most traditional Panerai ever made. It does not follow the classic oversized military formula that older collectors usually associate with the brand. But that may actually be the reason why this model feels refreshing. The market itself has changed. More buyers now want Panerai watches that still preserve the aggressive Submersible identity while becoming easier to wear daily.
VS clearly understands that direction. Instead of repeating another standard 47mm diver, they combined forged carbon, rose gold finishing, smaller proportions, and modern material styling into something that feels different from the older generation of Panerai replicas. The first time I saw this watch, it reminded me of those early full-carbon Panerai releases years ago. They were not designed to satisfy everyone, but they immediately stood out from everything else in the market.
