You could say that Panerai has built its brand on barely changing anything about its watches since they were first used by the Italian Royal Navy’s elite underwater commandos in the 1930s and ‘40s. Lately however they’ve been expanding their repertoire, albeit with watches that are still strongly tied to the past. The latest example is a new version if the iconic Radiomir with a 1940s Art Deco dial that doesn’t resemble anything they’ve already produced.
The Limited Edition Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio (PAM 790 and PAM 791) watches will retail for $9,200 apiece. The inspiration for their design is actually the dial of a endulau clock that was originally part of the inventory at Orologeria Svizzera, the Panerai family’s historic store in Florence founded in 1860. At 47mm they adhere to Panerai’s original oversized case style, and the dial is available in both ivory and black. The Art Deco font is the hallmark of these pieces, which have a “railway track” chapter ring indicating the minutes surrounding a smaller inner ring, as well as tapered, spear-shaped hour and minute hands.
The case is made of AISI 316L stainless steel, an alloy that Panerai says is particularly tough and resistant to corrosion, and the watch is water-resistant to 10 bar or 100 meters. It features a sapphire crystal exhibition “porthole” on the case back displaying Panerai’s in house P.3000 hand- wound movement with a power reserve of three days. Other elements of the watch include a Plexiglass crystal – a historic reference but not quite living up to the price point – while the strap is made of natural leather with contrasting beige stitching.
In the market for a Panerai Radiomir of your own? Check out the selection of pre-owned pieces available from Bob’s Watches.
