In 1916 Guido Panerai patented a radium-based material that could be visible in the dark. Such was its usefulness that it formed the backbone for a series of commissions from the Royal Italian Navy. Asked to supply high-precision instruments to accompany their military exploits, they wanted to create something that would assist their divers at night or in murky water conditions. By 1935 Panerai introduced the Radiomir, and the rest—as they say—is history.
As homage to the original Radiomir, this year Panerai has released a new slate of timepieces to its Radiomir collection.
Presented at the annual Watches & Wonders watches and jewellery fair in Geneva, the Italian luxury watchmaker unveiled new editions to line including Radiomir Otto Giorni, Radiomir California, and Radiomir Quaranta in Goldtech.
Of the set, the most classic reinterpretation of the original Radiomir is the Otto Giorni. With its strong vintage aesthetic, it captures the retro spirit of the original. The hand-wound P.5000 calibre powers the timepiece and features an eight-day power reserve—a distinctive element and DNA of the brand—the long power reserve was vital for the Panerai pieces used by underwater commandos of the Italian Navy, guaranteeing reliability even in the most extreme conditions.
Arguably the most striking of the new Radiomir collection is the Radiomir California. As part of the Radiomir family, Panerai introduces an exciting timepiece featuring never- before-seen details from the Maison. The Radiomir California’s launches its first ever 45mm sized dial, which historically was produced in 47mm, the green makes the watch a collector’s worthy piece.
With the Radiomir Quaranta in Goldtech, not only are we (happily) seeing the new smaller 40mm size – ‘Quaranta’ meaning forty in Italian – for the tradition collection but with the case in Panerai’s patented Goldtech material, it offers something strikingly different.
Eight decades ago, when the Radiomir was launched, it was a large 47mm case, due to its key requirement for legibility. Now, with the advancement of design (and more aesthetic purpose) the 40mm case size defines the collection’s essence, making a contemporary version of the icon.