Panerai is one of the most important watchmakers in Italy, diving watches and military equipment. It was founded in 1860 by Giovanni in Florence, ItalyIt was then that the company was named “Officine Panerai”. Panerai, also known as “Officine Panerai”, is a brand itself.
While Panerai watches have only been available to the public since 1993, the brand has a long and rich history, mainly associated with the Royal Italian Navy. The brand started as a simple workshop created in 1860 by Giovanni. Its “official” was not only a watch shop and workshop but also the city’s first watchmaking school. The main step in the history of Panerai will take place in 1916, after Guido Panerai (the founder’s grandson) took charge of the family business and created “Radiomir”, a self-illuminating material that allowed him to see time in the dark and water.
For several years now, Panerai has been supplying high-precision equipment to the Royal Italian Navy. Radiomir, a radium-based powder patented in 1916, will be the key element in the production of Officine Panerai. In 1936, Panerai created the first trademarks of the model now known as the “Radiomir” for the commando frogs of the Royal Italian Navy’s First Submarine Command Team. This large 46 mm watch, with superior water resistance, featured a bright dial and would be delivered from 1938 to military forces. It is only in 1993 that Panerai will be released to the public.
Officine Panerai actually presented a collection of three series of limited edition watches: the Luminor, the Luminor Marina and the Mare Nostrum. Since then, the brand has released many collections and started creating its own internal movements. However, all watches bearing the name Panerai are reminiscent of watches created for the Italian commando frogs, with the typical military elements.
