Panerai Presents The Contemporary Radiomir Quaranta In Goldtech™

Radiomir: The Making of a Legend

For over a century, the Panerai family legacy has been intertwined with precision instruments made to accompany the Italian military in their exploits. Commissioned by the Royal Italian Navy to supply high-precision instruments, it was Guido Panerai’s Radiomir - a radiumbased substance that illuminates for visibility in the dark – that began it all when it was patented in 1916.

An archival receipt shows that the Radiomir prototype was presented in 1935, and over the years, the sandwich construction has been progressively adjusted and is currently made of only two superimposed plates. Other improvements include the crown-protecting device, and a new luminous substance, the Luminor. A watch produced strictly for the military, the forces used it until the early 1970s, with its designs protected by military secrets.

In 1996, Officine Panerai leaped into the commercial watch market in 1992, launching three collections of ten references in limited editions - the 44 mm Luminor and Luminor Marina watches and the 42 mm Mare Nostrum chronograph, which were presented on 10 September 1993 at the La Spezia military harbor in the presence of Duke Amedeo D’Aosta, son of Sir Aimone di Savoia, the then supreme head of the Italian diving department. Radiomir was only made public in 1997 when the Vendome Group – today Richemont Group - acquired Panerai, introducing the first Vendome special edition in sixty pieces - the PAM 21 model in a platinum version.

The acquisition advanced Panerai’s history into contemporary developments from the reopening of the historic boutique in Piazza San Giovanni to the establishment of the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel where fine Swiss watchmaking meet innovation driven by an Italian soul. With a century of innovative instruments developed for performance in response to evolving technical needs, Panerai projects into the future via research, strategic partnerships, sustainability, and empowering modern heroes.

These initiatives include eSteel™, a next-generation metal obtained from pre-consumer recycled steel scraps (up to 95%) coming from different industries, preferably from Swiss watchmaking industry, whose production significantly reduces CO2 emissions, and a partnership with the IOC-UNESCO to develop solutions with the aim of building a more sustainable, equitable society.

A versatile and understated silhouette shines in Panerai’s Goldtech™

The contemporary and most versatile of Radiomir interpretations, Radiomir Quaranta, now comes in Panerai Goldtech™ material, expressing the spirit of its original precision through its continuing innovative pursuits.

Debuting at Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, the Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech™ is set in a polished Goldtech™ case (PAM01026), matched with a white sun-brushed dial and a matt brown alligator strap. Panerai Goldtech™ is a gold material developed for the first time by Panerai including a combination of platinum and copper donating an intense red appearance.

A faithful homage to where it all began, Radiomir Quaranta, is the contemporary interpretation of the Maison’s first-ever watch bringing the look of the legendary navy divers of the 1940s to discerning watch lovers of the modern century. Pared down yet commanding in presence, Radiomir Quaranta features elements distinctly linked to its origins, appealing to connoisseurs who identify with the brand’s history and expertise. Iconic details and precision are reinvented in a collection expressing the discreet Italian elegance of the Maison’s roots, where culture meets its esteemed technical instrument-making expertise.

Quaranta, forty in Italian, stands for the 40mm case size that defines the collection’s essence - a contemporary adaptation of the 47mm size of the original Radiomir edition made some eight decades ago. Measuring 10.15mm in thickness, the watch’s case is the slimmest in the entire Panerai’s range, proposing a versatile silhouette for all genders and occasions. Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech™ features a cone-shaped crown - a distinguishing element of the Radiomir collection - and paired with its matte alligator strap, exudes understated and relaxed luxury to match modern lifestyles.

Every detail embodies the contemporary spirit of the watch; the iconic cushion-shaped case, the white sun-brushed sandwich dial features indexes and numerals only at twelve and six o’clock and reflects light rays with the movement of the wearer, while the beige Super-Luminova® illuminates in green in the dark. The strap is interchangeable from Panerai’s extensive range of colors, and finishes, including calf for a casual look and shiny alligator versions in a multitude of bright shades for women. Available for purchase separately, the wide selections allow wearers to style the Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech™ for every mood and occasion.

Technical details include the P.900 calibre, a 4.2mm thick next-generation automatic movement, the first of its size from Panerai to combine the date and three days of power reserve, water-resistance to 3 bar (~30 metres), which will soon also be available up to 5 bar (~50 metres), and a Panerai Goldtech™ buckle.

Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech™

PAM01026

Movement:

Automatic mechanical, P.900 calibre,
12 ½ lignes, 4.2 mm thick, 23 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour.
Incabloc® anti-shock device. One barrel. 171 components
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Date.

Power Reserve:

3 days

Case:

40mm polished Panerai Goldtech™,
polished Panerai Goldtech™ bezel, see-through sapphire crystal
and polished Panerai Goldtech™ caseback,
sapphire crystal formed of corundum.

Dial:

White sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals
and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock and small seconds
at 9 o’clock.

Strap:

Alligator dark brown, T/T, 24/18, BA, STD.
Polished Panerai Goldtech™ buckle.

Waterproof:

5 bar (~50 metres)