The Panerai Watch

Officine Panerai is a luxury Italian watchmaker, now part of the Swiss Richemont Group. The brand is a popular with collectors and loyal fans are known as Paneristi.

History

The Panerai story begins in 1860 when Giovanni Panerai opened his first watchmaking workshops in Florence. The business remained in family hands, being taken over by Giovanni's son Leon Francesco then in turn by Giovanni's grandson Guido.

It was probably under Guido's leadership that Panerai really achieved its most significant breakthrough, becoming official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. This connection with the Navy was one impetus behind the company's research into luminous materials; luminous dials etc were of interest to the Navy for night time operations.

Radiomir & Luminor

In the early twentieth century Panerai produced a luminescent material known as Radiomir. This was based around radioactive radium. In 1949 Radiomir was replaced with Luminor. This was based on tritium and Officine Panerai gained a patent for its invention.

Radiomir and Luminor have become the names by which Panerai's most famous models of watch have become known.

Slytech

1995 saw an unexpected match-up between Officine Panerai and actor Sylvester "Sly" Stallone. At the request of Stallone, Panerai introduced a special range of Slytech watches: The Slytech Luminor Submersible, the Slytech Luminor Daylight and the Slytech Mare Nostrum. These limited edition watches were engraved on the back with Stallone's signature and were worn by him in various movies.

Today

In 1997 Panerei was taken over by Vendome, now the Richemont Group.

Panerai's rugged, no-nonsense watches remain cult classics today with a variety of models available to buy. In April 2005 explorer Mike Horn circumnavigated the Arctic Circle, a journey of 12,500 miles on foot, skis, sailing boat and kayak. For the expedition he wore the Panerai Luminor GMT Arktos, automatic mechanical Panerai OP VIII calibre with COSC Chronometer Certificate.

This site is not associated with or endorsed by Officine Panerai
Contact an authorised dealer for best prices and availability
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners

	All About Clocks, Watches and Time
The Panerai Watch Officine Panerai is a luxury Italian watchmaker, now part of the Swiss Richemont Group. The brand is a popular with collectors and loyal fans are known as Paneristi. History The Panerai story begins in 1860 when Giovanni Panerai opened his first watchmaking workshops in Florence. The business remained in family hands, being taken over by Giovanni's son Leon Francesco then in turn by Giovanni's grandson Guido. It was probably under Guido's leadership that Panerai really achieved its most significant breakthrough, becoming official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. This connection with the Navy was one impetus behind the company's research into luminous materials; luminous dials etc were of interest to the Navy for night time operations. Radiomir & Luminor In the early twentieth century Panerai produced a luminescent material known as Radiomir. This was based around radioactive radium. In 1949 Radiomir was replaced with Luminor. This was based on tritium and Officine Panerai gained a patent for its invention. Radiomir and Luminor have become the names by which Panerai's most famous models of watch have become known. Slytech 1995 saw an unexpected match-up between Officine Panerai and actor Sylvester "Sly" Stallone. At the request of Stallone, Panerai introduced a special range of Slytech watches: The Slytech Luminor Submersible, the Slytech Luminor Daylight and the Slytech Mare Nostrum. These limited edition watches were engraved on the back with Stallone's signature and were worn by him in various movies. Today In 1997 Panerei was taken over by Vendome, now the Richemont Group. Panerai's rugged, no-nonsense watches remain cult classics today with a variety of models available to buy. In April 2005 explorer Mike Horn circumnavigated the Arctic Circle, a journey of 12,500 miles on foot, skis, sailing boat and kayak. For the expedition he wore the Panerai Luminor GMT Arktos, automatic mechanical Panerai OP VIII calibre with COSC Chronometer Certificate. This site is not associated with or endorsed by Officine Panerai Contact an authorised dealer for best prices and availability All trademarks are the property of their respective owners Clocks-Watches-Time / Watches / Makes I-Z / Panerai / All original material copyright © Trevor Mendham 2005-2008. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners Please read the site terms of use		Clocks Watches Celebrity Famous Makes A-H Makes I-Z Invicta JLC Longines Luminox Mondaine Oris Panerai Patek Philippe Poljot Rado Rolex Seiko Skagen Tag Heuer Tissot Vacheron C. Mechanics Types Store Time Time & Motion More...