Category Archives: Officine Panerai

One of the most exciting times is when Panerai launches a new timepiece, and that piece is the Luminor California 8 Days. This watch combines all of the brands finest qualities in their timepieces, and puts them into this exquisite and masculine piece that is sure to be noticed on every wrist. The case is machined from diamond like carbon coated titanium making it scratch resistant and robust. The timepiece features the mandatory bridge lever device, and the California dial was designed from the brands military roots, making a very clean look, with just hours and minutes function paired with Arabic-Roman numeral markers and the blue hands.

Each year as timepieces are released, the world waits for those specific ones that demand attention. Panerai is one brand who likes to deliver that piece and collectors are thrilled when they get the opportunity to finally add their customization and own that striking timepiece. The L’AstronomoLuminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation Time GMT Watch is that collector piece. Various precious metal options are available, but be prepared to wait, because delivery takes almost a year, and the handcrafting begins upon order, with one horological expert assigned and dedicated to that specific piece.

At first look, Lo Scienziato watch, which was shown at the Geneva show, seems a little different from other similar models produced by Officine Panerai. However, in modern watchmaking art they became a breakthrough – in its production of Swiss-use 3D printing technology.

Founded in 1860. Giovanni Panerai, founder of the family business, opens the first watchmaker shop in Florence and establishes contact with the most prestigious and well-known Swiss watch manufacturers. For Giovanni to be his son, Leon Francesco.

1890-1900. Guido Panerai, grandson of the founder, expand the businessof his grandfather and gives new impetus to the cause – specialized in high precision mechanisms. The company became the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. Since then, for decades, the Panerai brand has been a symbol of high-precision mechanisms, as required sailors.

Panerai offers a hand-wound mechanical timepiece that features the P.3000 calibre executed entirely by the brand. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days PAM514 Watch is exceptional in design, aesthetics, and quality. The black dial and luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers are striking from the first look, and crafted in steel, the timepiece is durable and pleasing to the eye.

The timepiece features basics like the Incabloc anti-shock casing that measures 47 mm, and provides the utmost in protection for rugged aptitude. The dial is one that was designed back in 1930, but delivers brightness as well as legibility The case while stainless steel is made of AISI 316L, corrosion resistant and polished to perfection. Allowing the movement to be displayed through the sapphire crystal caseback is really the icing on the cake for this design.

For folks looking for a timepiece that offers unique excellence, and a little bit of unusual, try the new Panerai Luminor 1950 PAM 557 Destro 3 Days Watch PAM 372. While the original version debuted three years ago, this one is designed with a lefty crown layout, for folks who prefer wearing the timepiece on their right wrist. The name means ‘right’ in Italian and provides the implication as the crown sits at the 9 o’clock position.

There are other unique aspects of this timepiece, for example the crystal is not sapphire, but 3mm thick plexiglas, which is something the brand has done before, and compliments the polished steel case. The in-house movement features two barrels, and up to a 3 day power reserve, partnered with a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The face of the piece offers the sandwich dial, tan indexes and beautiful gold hands, topped with the very large brand script sitting just below 12 o’clock.

The brand has introduced many watches previously, but the Panerai Radiomir 1940 Limited Edition Chronograph is a spectacular new design that has been presented in three amazing metals, red gold, platinum and white gold. Each of the designs is complete with its own unique dial, and to capture the essence of the era, the retro style combines hands and classic case to complete the timepiece aesthetics. The inner workings of this masterpiece feature a modified Minerva movement that is superior to all the previous movements.

The three special watches all share similar characteristics, however they are each very unique and stand alone with what each brings to the table. The designs were crafted with 45mm cases, and each feature a sub-seconds dial sitting at 9 o’clock, and a minutes totaler at 3 o’clock. The creative vintage style tachymeter scale circles the edge and allows the sub-dials to be very well situated. Really focusing on the unique aspect of the timepieces, the new models use plexiglass crystals instead of the sapphire crystals, a throwback to the original that was crafted for the Royal Italian Navy.

The Panerai Luminor Submersible Slytech PAM225 Tritium Dial was manufactured as a limited edition series with only 300 produced. Prior productions of this family were also produced in limited edition quantities. The style was crafted as a black-faced Luminor Marina with customized wording on the dial. Of course the name Slytech came from the fact Stallone’s signature was on the back, and the first pieces were crafted for him to wear in the movie Daylight.

The Pre-Vendome timepieces are in high demand by collectors and the watches can sell in upwards of $70,000. This new piece, while still produced in a limited quantity, is more affordable, but still manufactured with quality and reliability. The brand certainly became recognized by the prominence of the time piece when it hit the big screen.