Swiss watch manufacturers mostly dominate the watch industry, such as Rolex, Tissot, Omega, and Patek Philippe. While they have contributed a lot to the luxury watch industry, watch companies from other European countries have also left a mark in watchmaking history. This includes the Officine Panerai, which is one of the most popular watch brands in the world that have Italian roots. This watch brand was established before Rolex dominated the watch industry.
Today, Panerai watches are widely known for their historical connection with the Italian armed forces aside from the functional design of their timepieces. But most of all, crown guards in some Panerai watches made the brand famous, especially in the Luminor line. But they are more than just about functionality, and this article will provide some of the Panerai watches that will surely catch your eye.
Table of Contents
1. Radiomir GMT
The Panerai Radiomir watch line may not get the same attention as the Luminor, but this watch family has also introduced many great watches with beauty and function. And the Radiomir GMT is one of these watches. You will love this watch especially if you travel often since it has an elegant style and it also has important features that you can use if you are traveling. For one, the Radiomir GMT has a GMT hand with a more defined arrowhead which helps show the time in a different time zone. It also features an AM/PM indicator and sub-dial located on the nine o’clock side of the watch.
Other Features
Along with these features, the Radiomir also has a beautiful blue dial. Panerai chose this to represent the intensity of the blue of the sky and the sea. This color gives off a different hue on each side of the watch dial, such as the outer part which is dark. But the hue does lighter as it goes to the center of the watch. After all, the company had a historic relationship with the Italian Navy in the 20th century, and many Panerai watches symbolize the durability and functionality of the watches and equipment used by the Italian Navy. The brand also used AISI 316L stainless steel to create the 45 mm watch case of the Radiomir GMT. It makes the watch durable, anti-corrosive, and hypoallergenic all at the same time. Other characteristics of the timepiece include a three-day power reserve and a water resistance of up to 100 meters, all combined with a sleek alligator strap in navy blue.
2. Submersible Chrono
The company makes watches inspired by the military and the sea. And the Submersible Chrono is one of such watches. The design of the watch, especially its bezel, was inspired by the design of a Radiomir watch called the “L’Egiziano” that Panerai built for the Egyptian Army in 1956. However, the main difference between this watch and the modern Submersible Chrono is that the “L’Egiziano” is a big watch with a case of 60 mm. As for its modern reincarnation, the Submersible Chrono uses a 47 mm watch case, which is still big for some people. But the Submersible Chrono is not just big, but also in style and functionality.
Main Features
First of all, the Submersible Chrono has a crown guard found in many Panerai watches. It also uses Panerai’s in-house P.9100 caliber movement. This allows the watch’s chronograph function to be activated through the two pushers located on the left side of the watch. The Submersible Chrono also has a black Whileatch dial with a date window on the three o’clock side and a sub-dial for small seconds on the nine o’clock side of the watch. The Submersible Chrono has a power reserve that could last for up to three days. But this watch may not be good for water-based activities, as it is water-resistant for up to only 30 meters. Despite not being as water-resistant as other Panerai watches, the Submersible Chrono makes up for durability. And this is because titanium, a light but tough material, was used to create the watch case of the watch. With that, you can expect a stylish but tough chronograph that you can use for sports activities or if you just want to flaunt a sleek chronograph during an event.
3. Luminor 1950 47mm
If you are looking for a watch with that vintage feel, then look no further than the Luminor 1950 in 47 mm. The brand released several different versions of the Luminor 1950 on the market, but this variant has a design that is undeniably Panerai. This is especially true if you take a look at the crown guard of this watch present in many of the watches made by Panerai. But the Luminor 1950 in 47mm or better known as PAM372 has a power reserve that could last for up to three days although it does not have a power reserve indicator. This watch also uses a caliber P.3000 movement and it is not flashy or too stylish in terms of design. While the Luminor 1950 in 47 mm uses sapphire on the watch’s case back, it does not use sapphire crystal but Plexiglass instead, which further gives this watch a classy look.
Takeaway
Panerai has produced more watches than the ones mentioned on this list that you would like. But we chose to represent the different vibes of Panerai as a watch brand. The brand may now be somewhat like a Swiss watch brand today, but it never leaves its Italian roots, and it shows through the designs and quality of its watches. Because of its watches especially in the Radiomir and Luminor watch family lines, Panerai has earned its spot as one of the most popular watch manufacturers in the market.