Panerai is a watch brand founded in Florence, Italy in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai. Initially, the company operated as a watch shop and watchmaking school, but from the early 20th century it began to focus on developing precision instruments and producing special watches for the Italian Navy.
Developed in 1936 at the request of the Italian Navy, the Radiomir was a professional diver's watch with luminous indices that used radium to ensure visibility underwater. Later, in the 1940s, the company released the Radiomir 1940, which featured improved durability, and the Luminor, which used tritium. The Luminor, in particular, with its distinctive crown protector, became a Panerai signature design.
For a long time, the brand was limited to supplying military watches, but in 1993 it launched a collection for the general market, marking its path as a luxury watch brand. It was subsequently acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997, strengthening its technological capabilities and manufacturing structure. It also focused on developing its own movements, releasing calibers such as the "P.9000" series.
Currently, Panerai offers collections such as the Luminor, Radiomir, Submersible, and Luminor Due, and while carrying on the tradition of military watches, it offers watches that combine sporty, elegant design with high functionality.
Panerai Features
Panerai is a Swiss luxury watch brand with roots in military watches developed for the Italian Navy's special diving forces.
Panerai's unique case designs, such as the Luminor with its large cushion-shaped case and crown protector, and the Radiomir with its wire loop attachment, have become icons of the brand.
The Super-LumiNova luminous finish provides excellent visibility in the dark, and the simple and functional dial is also attractive.
In recent years, Panerai has also focused on developing its own movements, achieving both robustness and high precision. The company's greatest appeal lies in its simple design, which emphasizes practicality and eliminates decorative elements as much as possible.
Its streamlined, functional beauty is a strong reflection of its origins as a military watch. The rugged yet sophisticated Italian design combined with Swiss technology gives the brand a unique presence.
