Shop Our Panerai Watches Collection

In 1860, Giovanni Panerai opened his first watch shop in Florence, Italy. The family of Guido Panerai, Giovanni's grandson, supplied mechanical instruments to the Royal Italian Navy. In 1916, Panerai patented Radiomir, a radioactive, luminescent substance used in military instruments. In 1935, the company began to make durable dive watches for the Italian Navy. Panerai watches were originally manufactured by Rolex. In the '40s, the Radiomir design as we know it today was born. With increased knowledge about the dangers of radium, Panerai started using the more harmless name "Luminor" in 1949. In 1956, the company patented the iconic crown-protecting device which it first used in watches for the Egyptian Navy. In the 1960s, Panerai replaced Radiomir with Luminor, a tritium-based luminescent substance. Having ceased production for the Italian Navy, the company began producing watches for the civilian market in 1992. Sylvester Stallone brought the brand to prominence when he wore a Luminor in the 1996 film Daylight. After Richemont's acquisition of the company in 1997, Panerai repositioned as a luxury watch brand. In the following years, the company developed a number of in-house calibers. Notably, Panerai watches have earned the brand a loyal group of followers called the "Paneristi."

Panerai design is defined by large cushion cases, prominent crown-protecting devices, and Arabic numerals at twelve, nine, six, and three. The use of small seconds at nine o'clock is also frequent. Most collections are available in eight days power reserve variations. Panerai additionally uses a number of irregular materials, including bronze, rubber, ceramic, gold, carbon, and black PVD. The Luminor, a functional dive watch, is produced in several variations. The Base Luminor is the simplest in the collection, lacking small seconds. The Luminor Marina is larger and water resistant to 300 meters. The Quaranta, as the name suggests, features a 40 millimeter diameter. Luminor Logo watches include the Panerai logo on the dial. The "8 Giorni," Italian for eight days, boasts an astounding eight days power reserve. The Luminor can be found in several other complications, including GMT, chronograph, flyback chronograph, regatta chronograph, equation of time, perpetual calendar, and tourbillon movements. The Luminor Due Collection offers an elegant, feminine take on the standard Luminor. Consequently, the collection utilizes smaller cases. Intended for use in diving, the Submersible Collection is characterized by rotating bezels, luminescent dot and stick indexes, and higher water resistance. The base Submersible is 42 millimeters in diameter. However, the watch is available in 44 millimeters (QuarantaQuattro) and 47 millimeters as well. The Submersible can also be found in variations with a chronograph complication. The iconic Radiomir is the epitome of the historical Panerai brand. The modern Radomir stays true to the original design with its classic wire lugs and unmistakable cushion case. The Radomir is available in 45 millimeter and 47 millimeter case diameters.

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