Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and school of watch-making for many decades Panerai supplied the Italian Navy specialist diving corps with precision instruments. Originally created to be used deep underwater, Panerai watches are known for their unparalleled legibility and luminosity in the dark. In 1997 the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group and launched on the international market. Today Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture, combining Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise.
Panerai
Every Panerai watch is as unique as the story it tells. Since 1860 Panerai has produced high-precision instruments and watches, developed and created to meet the most rigorous military standards. Today the very essence of Panerai remains the creation of technological innovations and remarkable instruments, that draw inspiration from the epic exploits of past and, at the same time, explore new disruptive paths.
About
1860
Giovanni Panerai opens his watchmaker’s shop on Ponte alle Grazie in Florence. Not only a shop, it is also a workshop and home to the city’s first watchmaking school.
1936
Panerai creates the first prototype of a Radiomir watch for the Submarine Group of the Royal Italian Navy.
1993
The first Panerai collection is launched as a series of limited editions available to the public.
2002
The Panerai manufacturing facility is opened in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
2005
Panerai presents its first in-house movement.
Philosophy
Representing a blend of Italian design with Swiss watchmaking technology, Panerai follows the inspiration of its home city of Florence, which was the cradle of the Renaissance movement and all the art and science for which it was famous.
The brand remains true to its roots as a highly-specialised supplier of precision measurement instruments to the Italian Navy and reproduces the designs of these highly exclusive vintage instruments in its current collections.
Because of its origins, Panerai maintains very close links with the sea environment both in its timepieces, which retain the characteristics of robustness, precision and ultimate readability found on its original military instruments, and in its partnerships, which range from classic yachting regattas to the mammoth restoration of the 1936 Bermudan ketch Eilean, which required over 40,000 hours of work.
Collections
Submersible
Survival instruments.
Solid and strong, with unrivalled visibility even at great depths and a uniquely distinctive appearance: Submersible watches are professional divers watches presenting innovative technical solutions.
Luminor
Essence of Panerai.
The Luminor reinterprets classic proportions in a contemporary manner, preserving all the characteristics which over the years have made this watch an icon of luxury sports watchmaking.
Luminor Due
Contemporary elegance.
Luminor Due originates from a redesign of Panerai historic elements, realized to emphasize the versatility of a watch which is a synthesis of the sporting spirit and the ability to wear it for more elegant occasions.
Radiomir
The Mechanical Legend since 30’s.
The Radiomir is the first watch designed by Panerai as a prototype in 1936 at the request of the Royal Italian Navy, which wanted to be supplied with “a special luminous watch for divers”.
Watches
Panerai: Italian roots
It all began in Florence, Italy in 1860: Giovanni Panerai opens his shop and watchmaker’s school on Ponte Alle Grazie. By the turn of the century, Panerai would have its most famed client, the Royal Italian Navy. This partnership led to Panerai developing Radiomir, a luminosity-enhancing material that was used for its dials - and which would serve the men well in battle. The Italian Navy connection would pique the interest of another royal navy too: in 1956, Panerai created the Egiziano Radiomir watch, for deep water immersion, for the Egyptian Navy. In its more modern history, Panerai continues to be linked to great men, such as Dino Zei, who in 1972 christented its current namesake - Officine Panerai. There has even been some Hollywood glamour, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone two very public, die-hard fans of the brand. Today a part of the Richemont Group and with boutiques around the world where its watches are for sale, the company has had its own manufacturing plant in Neuchâtel, Switzerland since 2002, for which its first in-house movement - a hand-wound calibre with GMT function and an eight-day power reserve – is named after.
Radiomir California 3 days
In polished stainless steel, this Panerai model, also known as PAM 0448, has a cool simplicity with its black luminous Arabic and Roman numerals set on a sleek black dial and brown strap. Water resistant to 10 bar, it is powered by the P.3000 calibre. A favourite with fans, you can find pre-owned models on sale at the likes of Watchfinder and Chrono24.
Luminor GMT
With such deep rooted naval history, it’s no surprise that GMT functions are part and parcel of the Panerai Luminor watches portfolio. Take for example the handsome PAM 00088 Luminor GMT Automatic Acciaio model (price £6,400), which comes with a stainless steel case and which will appeal to sporty men in particular. Or also on sale is the rugged PAM 01088 watch with a vintage-like brown calf assolutamente strap (price £6,400) and also available in stainless steel.
Luminor Marina
Further riffing off the Italian Royal Navy connection is the Panerai Marina watches collection (named so for Regia Marina) of which includes the sub-seconds display and in a range of materials from stainless steel to gold, which will appeal to men in particular. A host of styles are available for sale such as the vintage-like Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days Automatic Titanio model (price £6,800) in titanium that displays the hours, minutes, small seconds and date. Or a more bold, modern model is the Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio (price £6,900) in stainless steel.