[2021 Edition] Mechanical Watches "8 Popular and Recommended Panerai Models"

In this column, I would like to focus on the Italian watch giant, Panerai . I will be selecting eight models, including current and discontinued models.

What is "PANERAI"?

*Reference: panerai.com

Officine Panerai is an Italian luxury watch brand, commonly known as Panerai .

Founded in Florence in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai, this precision instrument manufacturer began its history in the 1930s when it was commissioned by the Italian Navy to produce watches for its submarine forces. In 1997, the company became part of the Swiss Vendôme Group (now the Richemont Group), but Panerai watches made before it became part of Vendôme are called Pre-Vendôme and are highly popular on the second-hand market.

In 1998, Panerai entered the private wristwatch market in earnest, sparking a trend for large, thick watches. This was the so-called "big, thick" boom.

*[LUMINOR] Reference: panerai.com

In 2005, the company released a model equipped with its own movement, becoming a manufacture. Panerai 's design features include a large case, a large crown guard, a sandwich dial, and a small second hand at the 9 o'clock position (left side of the dial), and are broadly divided into two types, "Radiomir" and "Luminor". The two models can be distinguished by the presence or absence of a crown protector.

*【RADIOMIR】Reference: panerai.com

As many enthusiasts may know, Panerai serial numbers start from 1998 and are arranged in alphabetical order from A, making it possible to determine the year of manufacture.

Panerai 's advertising strategy is also very unique, as they actively feature their watches in movies. As you can see on our YouTube channel, famous actors such as Sylvester Stallone (known to be a fan since the "Pre-Vendome" era when Panerai first entered the private market) and Jason Statham wore Panerai in movies, which instantly raised the brand 's profile.

Luxury watch specialty channel COMMIT TV ▼▼▼

[ Sylvester Stallone and Panerai and Richard Mille ]

This time, I would like to introduce some recommended Panerai models.

Recommended Model 1: Submersible Bronzo 1950 3DAYS PAM00382

The first model we will introduce is the special edition model "PAM00382", produced in 2011 with a worldwide limited edition of 1000 pieces. Panerai's first 47mm submersible case is made of bronze, which makes it easier for the color to change over time, making it easier to feel the aging effect and allowing the case to gain depth over time. The deep green dial creates an antique look and matches the bronze color of the case, making this a very cool model.

Panerai's Bronzo models include "PAM00507" (green dial, with power reserve), "PAM00671" (blue dial), and "PAM00968" (brown dial). Prices have calmed down somewhat at present, but Panerai's Bronzo models are popular models that command a premium price.

Reference price (initially on sale): ￥1,034,000

Recommended Model 2: Luminor Chrono 40mm SS/TI PAM00072

Next up is the PAM00072, a regular version of the 1999 limited edition chronograph PAM00052. It is equipped with the Cal. OP IV, based on Zenith's El Primero, and both the dial and sub-dials are black. Panerai models equipped with the Cal. OP IV, which was manufactured for only four years from 1999 to 2003, are perennially popular.

The combination of the satin-finished titanium case and polished stainless steel bezel with the matching bracelet is very cool. The 40mm case size and bracelet, as well as the fact that it is equipped with a caliber based on the El Primero, which was also installed in the Rolex Daytona, both tickle the masculine heart.

Currently, Zenith is owned by LVMH, and Panerai is owned by the Richemont Group, and the three major conglomerates are competitors. This may also be adding to the popularity of the Panerai model, as there will be no more El Primero models in the future.

"PAM00074" and "PAM00072" were produced for three years (C, D, and E numbers), making them relatively easy to obtain compared to the B number "PAM00052" Luminor Chrono (limited to 500 pieces) and the D number "PAM00108" (limited to 100 pieces).

Reference price (initially on sale): ￥1,344,000

Recommended Model 3: Radiomir California PAM00424

One of the Radiomir's main features is its dial, and there are several versions of it. The first was called the California, which appeared in 1936, and this is a reproduction of that prototype model.

It features a unique arrangement of Roman and Arabic numerals, bar-shaped hour indexes, and a minute circle (railway circle). The luminous performance of the dial has been further improved so that special submariners can use it even in the dark. The OP logo placed at the 6 o'clock position gives a classic impression, and the large in-house movement "Cal.P.3000" has a twin barrel that ensures a power reserve of 72 hours.

In fact, the California dial was originally used by Rolex to prevent the misreading of up and down. Panerai did not initially have the know-how or equipment to manufacture watches, so they signed a contract with Rolex, and Rolex produced the original watches that Panerai wanted.

List price: ￥979,000

[Source][Source] Panerai

Recommended Model ⑥ Luminor Marina Automatic 44MM PAM00104

Next is the "PAM00104" equipped with the chronometer-certified automatic movement "Cal.OP VIII". Panerai's materials, such as Ororosso (red gold), are Italian, but this watch has a stainless steel case called Acciaio, which means steel in Italian.

The Luminor case is a faithful reproduction of the watch that Panerai produced for the Italian Navy's special submarine forces during World War II, and the dial design is also reminiscent of Panerai watches produced in the 1940s and 1950s. Equipped with Panerai's distinctive crown guard in a unique cushion case, and with only a date display and automatic winding function, this is a long-selling model that has been popular for many years.

Production of this model has now ended, and it was succeeded by the "PAM01104" in 2017, but the current model "PAM01104" has been changed to a buckle specification, so if you like D-buckles, we recommend the "PAM00104".

Reference price (initially on sale): ￥847,000

Recommended Model 7: Luminor 1950 3days GMT Ceramica PAM00441

The black ceramic model of the Luminor 1950, "PAM00441," is equipped with the in-house automatic movement "Cal.P9001" with a GMT function. It has a calendar mechanism, a GMT hand, and a 72-hour (3-day) power reserve function with twin barrels. The dial, which features the word CERAMICA (Italian for Ceramica) at the 6 o'clock position, is unified in ivory color, giving it a nice atmosphere. The glass of the see-through back is smoked sapphire crystal, which makes the movement appear gray, which is a nice touch.

List price: ￥1,430,000

Recommended Model 8: Luminor Logo Pre-Vendome 5218-201/A

The last watch we would like to introduce is the Luminor Logo Pre-Vendome "5218-201/A", which was manufactured before the company became part of the Vendome Group (now the Richemont Group).

This "5218-201/A" is Panerai's first civilian model with the Luminor logo. It is said that 889 pieces were produced over a four-to-five-year period from 1993 to 1997. The tritium luminous indexes and hands are almost the same color and match, giving it a nice vintage feel.

The Pre-Vendome watches we have handled in our shop were matching watches, but there are actually unmatched watches available. Unmatched watches have a different material mix, which gives them a luminous color that looks like they have already deteriorated. There are more matching watches in existence, but there seems to be a global trend to prefer unmatched watches, which are scarce. They are also sold at a premium price compared to matching watches.

Reference price: ￥-

summary

What did you think.

Some of you may have heard of the word "Panelisti," which is said to have originally been started by a personal website run by a British man named Guy, who named the collective term for Panerai fans "Panelisti," so much so that Panerai's popularity at one time was incredible.

Nowadays, it seems that there are fewer passionate fans like there were back then, but there are new developments such as the addition of a line with smaller case diameters, so we can hope for a revival.