Long before Panerai was a global brand renowned for its rugged military and dive watches, its enterprising namesake opened a watch shop in Florence.
Giovanni Panerai founded Orologeria Svizzera in 1860, and swiftly garnered the attention of well-to-do locals for its fine collection of timepieces.
He made his living selling and repairing foreign pocket watches, as well as ornate table clocks and pendulum clocks. One such piece was a pendulum clock with a unique railway track chapter ring – it’s from this design that the new Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio draws its inspiration.
The vintage aesthetic, including art deco numerals and the railway track chapter ring, is undoubtedly the star of the minimalist show, but inside the 47mm case there’s also Panerai’s well-respected P.3000 movement with a lengthy three-day power reserve.
Handily, the movement can also be moved forwards or backwards in one hour jumps without interfering with the movement of the minute hand or the running of the watch.
The vintage aesthetic, art deco numerals and railway track chapter ring are undoubtedly the star of the minimalist show
This is a slightly direction for Panerai than most pieces in its collections, but it will undoubtedly appeal to those looking for something a little bit more dressy – albeit in a sizeable 47mm case.
Lucrative commissions for ground-breaking dive watches for the Italian Royal Navy may have sparked the birth of the brand we recognise today, but Panerai is keen to celebrate its founder’s entrepreneurial spirit. In that regard, you could say this art deco beauty has succeeded.
£5,700, limited to 300 pieces in each colour. For more information, see panerai.com
