WORLDTEMPUS - 18 January 2012
Kristian Haagen
Forty-seven millimeters is the plat du jour at Panerai. If you did not know the brand very well, you might think the Italian watch brand hadn't realized that watches are getting smaller – or at least slimmer. However, Panerai is merely reflecting its history of military timepieces that measured just that: 47 millimeters.
The Radiomir and Luminor models were the first watches to perch on the wrists of naval divers during World War II and even though the new models look very much like the originals that were produced from 1936 and into the 1940s, the wearer today undoubtedly is of far more civil character.
Radiomir year
This year, Panerai introduces more Radiomir models than Luminor, however with a slightly different look than the current Radiomir. The secret is all in the oversized crown – a crown that was originally a Rolex patent in the 1940s – and the slightly thicker case that makes the watch look more like a Luminor without the distinct crown lock bridge.
Confused? Don't be. Just have a look at the pictures and you will (probably) see that the case of the Radiomir 1940 is not as slim as a normal Radiomir.
Minerva inside
The movement inside this great-looking Radiomir 1940 is a Minerva. This is not the first time that Panerai has used this movement: it was utilized in a Mare Nostrum re-issue and other special editions a couple of years ago. If you are looking for a historical link between this movement supplier and Panerai, you will have to dig deep. Panerai claims that taking possession of some Minerva movements back in the 1920s justifies the use of this movement today.
Regardless of the status of the Minerva link, the PAM399 Radiomir 1940 is a great-looking watch. And if you think 47 mm sounds big for slender wrists, you really should try it on first. It sits remarkably well there, and as an added bonus you will be an instant member of the passionate community of Paneristi.com, where members will ooh and aah your choice of timepiece.
The PAM399 Radiomir 1940 will be offered in 100 pieces only and retail for € 19,900.
Captions:
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Look closely to see that these watches are not old: tinted (pre-patina LumiNova) allows the new models to look instantly vintage. © Kristian Haagen/Worldtempus
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The caseback of the Radiomir 1940 offers a view of the wonderfully decorated Minerva movement. © Kristian Haagen/Worldtempus
Historical Or Not
#wtsihh / The Italian-Swiss watch company boasted a mere couplet of models when it was founded in the 1930s, but today these two models have begat a number of offspring.
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