Five Reasons We Love Panerai Watches
The Panerai story started in 1860 when Giovanni Panerai opened a watch shop in Florence, Italy. Panerai traded and constructed watches from their workshop, and then began to supply precision instruments and watches to military forces. It was 1993 when the brand Panerai was established, and Panerai watches were made available to buy to the public. Panerai have since made a name for themselves as a leading luxury watch brand, and since 2002, Panerai have been based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Panerai craft Swiss-made timepieces of the highest watchmaking standards with a signature Italian flair. We’re so excited that Panerai watches are now available to shop at Beaverbrooks!
“With an instantly recognisable design, modern materials, and a trademark vintage style, Panerai have been a pioneering brand in the world of luxury watches for decades. We’re so excited to be an official Panerai stockist, and have a wonderful selection of these timepieces, which are truly unique with their Italian diving heritage and Swiss-made precision.” – Bruce, Head of Watches.
We can’t wait for you to discover our extensive collection of Panerai watches we know you’ll love, and we’re certain you’ll be just as blown away by these timepieces as we are. Prepare to enter the world of Panerai with us - we think it’s time you got to know the top five reasons we love (and are so excited to partner with) Panerai watches.
A rich history dating back to 1860
“Panerai’s Italian history and Swiss-made movements give the brand a unique heritage that has stayed consistent in their watches since the beginning. Although materials and complications have evolved, the Panerai spirit has persevered in every modern creation.” Bruce, Head of Watches.
You know we love a watch brand with a rich history, and Panerai is no different. For us, it’s the unique combination of Italian heritage and design with the Swiss-made seal of approval, and signature elegance that can be traced right back to the brand’s roots in Florence, Tuscany. But where did it all begin?
Not only do the luxury watch brand have over a century of experience, but Panerai’s first shop opened as a workshop, too, operating as Florence’s first watchmaking school. In the early 20th century, Panerai started to supply instruments and watches to the Italian Royal Navy, and their longstanding partnership is honoured to this day. The Luminor Marina model was the first Panerai timepiece to be offered to the public in 1993, previously all timepieces were only available to military forces.
As the brand’s popularity within the general public grew, they released a variety of collections that are exemplary of trustworthy luxury watches. Panerai are also know for their exceptional visibility and legibility underwater and in dark environments, applying luminous materials like Super-LumiNova™.
2. Panerai’s inventive spirit
“As well as a long history, Panerai has a long lineage of inventions behind its name, which altered the course of diving watches as we know them.” - Bruce, Head of Watches.
What do we think makes Panerai so special? Their longstanding history and expertise in luxury watchmaking has lead to many inventions along the way. From their crown-protecting device to their luminescent dials and patented materials, we love seeing how Panerai’s creations still hone their inventive spirit in each timepiece.
One of the most distinguishing factors invented by Panerai is the iconic crown-protecting device, contributing to the staple aesthetic of Panerai watches. To ensure no water enters the mechanism of the Panerai watch when used during diving, this device is patented by Panerai, and makes the brand one of the most recognisable brands in the world of luxury watches.
In 1935, Panerai developed the first timepieces to have a luminescent dial. This collection was titled Radiomir, and was originally created with a radioactive radium-based powder, which has since been switched to much safer materials. Still, the original material contributed to the brand’s statement luminous quality, and marked the beginning of a line of innovative inventions. This feature was essential to military divers, and paved the way for the future of diving watches.
In 1949, a patent was approved for use by Panerai with the name "Luminor" due to all the luminescent and self-luminescent materials used. The Luminor collection was born the same year, and named after the break-through patent. This was an exceptional invention for watches at the time.
3. Experts in diving watches
“Expert diving functions and features have become synonymous with Panerai. The crown protecting device to ensure the watches have a stronger resistance to water, the luminous accents, and the clean, legible dials are all remarkable diving features that the brand are known for. Still today, we’re seeing Panerai experiment with materials and movements to achieve the ultimate diving tool watch.” - Bruce, Head of Watches.
We love Panerai’s diving spirit, and we can see how their watchmaking expertise has developed throughout the years with the same goal - to offer luxury watches that perform remarkably. Although Panerai do offer contemporary timepieces that are suited for everyday wear too, we love how the original design codes and diving influence make them a statement timepiece for the modern day wearer. How iconic is that?!
A noteworthy achievement was when Giovanni Panerai partnered with the Italian Royal Navy, which began in 1935. The Italian Royal Navy reached out to many watch manufacturers to find their timepiece of choice, and the Panerai Radiomir won the order. Constructed under top-secret circumstances, it was the 47mm cushion-shaped steel case, large screw down crown, wire lugs, long water resistant strap and luminous markers that contributed to this monumental win for Panerai. Even today, the Radiomir timepieces showcase the iconic features of the earlier models.
Large, durable, and highly visible both in and out of the water, the Panerai diving watches have the aesthetic of a military-style watch. The brand have even been known to construct a watch with a remarkable 60mm case size for enhanced durability and legibility. With functions such as a unidirectional bezel to ensure that divers track their time underwater perfectly, a strong water resistance, and a luminous dial, Panerai watches boast a range of innovative functions.
Panerai is also known for its wide variety of materials, with models crafted in AISI 316L stainless steel, titanium, BMG-Tech™, Carbotech™, rose gold and bronze. Panerai timepieces continue to evolve with inventive and ground-breaking components, including lightweight and anti-corrosion features for an unparalleled diving performance.
4. The iconic collections
“Each Panerai collection tells its own story, and offers its own performance and purpose. One thing that remains the same in each collection is the elegant, vintage appearance, meticulously crafted movement, and luxurious appeal.” - Bruce, Head of Watches.
Instantly recognisable, the Panerai collections offer different functions and tools for a variety of uses and purposes. We love the versatility of the Panerai collections, from the deep diving Submersible to the unmistakable elegance of Luminor Due - there’s a Panerai collection tailored to suit your daily needs and activities (and style, of course).
Panerai Luminor
The essence of Panerai, the Panerai Luminor is the brand’s bestselling collection. The first Luminor models were designed as an advancement on the previous Radiomir models. This model was inspired by the first Luminor timepieces of the 1950s, and featured a clean dial with both Arabic numerals and barred hour markers, and the emblematic ‘Luminor Panerai’ signature at 12 o’clock, with a large diameter of 44mm.
Panerai Submersible
The sea spirit of Panerai, the Submersible collection showcases a variety of functions, including a unidirectional bezel, anti-magnetic materials, and strong water resistance. Built for professionals, the first Submersible model was released in 1998 under the Luminor collection, featuring a 300m water resistance, cushion-shaped case, and crown-protecting bridge.
Panerai Luminor Due
Expanding on the Luminor collection, Panerai released its first Luminor Due watch in 2016. With a new case, inspired by the lines and silhouette of the classic Luminor timepieces of the 1950s, Luminor Due was subtly redesigned for a contemporary, yet classic vintage look. The ultimate dress watch, the collection was released with the house’s thinnest ever automatic calibres, meaning the case is one of the most delicate that Panerai has to offer, to suit both men’s and ladies wrists.
Panerai Radiomir
A staple collection, the Panerai Radiomir watches were first crafted for the Italian Royal Navy in 1935. The Radiomir has been available to the public since the 1990s, and today’s models pay homage to where the brand’s diving watches began. Staying true to the original designs and details is what gives the timepieces their vintage appeal, with refined details and sophisticated elegance.
5. The Panerai movements
“Panerai’s dedication to constructing some of the world’s most functional watches is uncompromising. With functions such as GMT, tourbillon movements and chronographs developed in-house in Switzerland, Panerai continue to distinguish themselves as a a pioneering watch brand.” - Bruce, Head of Watches.
Panerai’s movements are Swiss-made, meaning they’re amongst the most exceptional in the world. We love how their intricate calibres boast ground-breaking mechanical craftsmanship whilst staying true to the brand’s Italian roots and diving spirit. Panerai’s move to Switzerland was monumental, and proves that their dedication to watchmaking is only getting bigger and better.
In 2002, Panerai opened its new studio in Switzerland, Officine Panerai, achieving its Swiss-made status. This allows Panerai to craft, construct, test, and quality-control their timepieces themselves, ensuring each movement reaches a superior standard.
Panerai’s first in-house movement was produced in 2005, called the P2002. This calibre is powered by a hand-wound movement with a GMT function and power reserve of 8 days, taking its name from the year that Panerai opened the doors of its first watchmaking studio in Switzerland. This milestone was a break-through moment for the future of Panerai’s watchmaking.
Panerai’s innovation with in-house movements continued in 2007 with the release of three new calibres, the P.2003, the P.2004 and the P.2005. The P-2005 calibre was introduced with an impressive tourbillion feature, which is a rotating cage that encases the escapement and balance wheel, ensuring superior precision.
Since, Panerai have launched many in-house calibres that experiment with advanced complications and longer power reserves, including the P.2006 boasting a chronograph movement with a split-second function, the P.9100/R with a regatta countdown, and the P.9100 calibre, Panerai’s first automatic movement with a chronograph flyback function. With movements as prestigious these, we can’t wait to see the mechanical marvels that Panerai have in-store for us in the future!
Panerai watches are new to Beaverbrooks, and you can shop our collection of Panerai watches online now. For more information, contact our Customer Services & Sales team on 0800 169 2329.
Our watch expert’s verdict
Things we like
✔ The Panerai story, which has an incredibly unique history in crafting Italian luxury watches
✔ The distinctive design with signature vintage flair
✔ The high-tech materials, movements, and advanced diving functions
Perfect for
✔ Those looking for a classic, vintage-style, elegant timepiece
✔ Diving enthusiasts who need a high-performing, trustworthy partner beneath the waves
✔ Those looking for a Swiss-made timepiece with a longstanding legacy
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