Panerai Presents Its New Radiomir Annual Calendar Watch

The origins where it all began

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 ground-breaking first for the Annual Calendar complication

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, and now, each month of the year – the intricate time-telling elements that form a precious new in-house movement for Panerai, the Annual Calendar. Developed specifically for the Radiomir collection it is the first annual calendar complication of Panerai.

Even if the Annual Calendar is notoriously a sophisticated complication, Panerai has always been famous for developing movements with a clear and immediate readability. In fact, the dial clearly allows to display the complete information needed. Date is displayed at 3 o’clock with the day & the date through two dials openings. The current month is displayed on an external moving disc, indicated by a fix arow at 3 o’clock. Every month change, a cam in the movement allows the turning disc in one go, making the information change instantaneously.

Moreover, change from 30-day and 31-day months is done automatically by the mechanism. A setting must be done only once a year, at the end of February.

Always taking care of the easy readability and functionality, after setting the month and the date, a corrector on the left side of the case allows to change the day click by click. Powered by the automatic P.9010/AC caliber, the Annual Calendar is an automatic movement reflecting Panerai’s DNA in crafting complications in addition to their Italian style and flair, with Swiss watchmaking expertise.

A sapphire crystal open-back case showcases a fascinating complication while the sandwich dial features distinguishing codes of the Maison – the months, days, and the name of the complication, Calendario Annuale, are written in Italian. Emblematic Radiomir details shape its design, its cushion-shaped case, signature gradient sunbrushed sandwich dial filled with Super-Luminova^® cone-shaped crown, and a 45mm case.

Panerai’s spirit in the quest for technical innovation pairs this new movement with cases crafted from its innovative materials. PAM01363, with a sun-brushed blue shaded dial that transitions from a light center to a darker gradient at the edges and a blue hand-dyed matt alligator strap, is set in a 45mm Goldtech™ case. Panerai Goldtech™ is a gold material developed for the first time by Panerai, including a combination of platinum and copper, giving an intense red appearance.

A complication as remarkable as the heritage it embodies, the Annual Calendar finds its appeal among connoisseurs who look for the finest details and are curious about watches to tell time and seek pleasure in aesthetics and authenticity. Reaffirming its Italian roots, Panerai introduces the Experience edition, PAM01432, the third reference of the collection where the purchase of the timepiece will allow clients to participate in an unexpected experience to immerse in the values of the Maison. The Experience edition features a sunbrushed burgundy shaded dial, a black hand-dyed matte alligator strap and is set in a 45mm Platinumtech™ case. Every owner of this timepiece will be invited to participate in an extraordinary journey to the Eternal City, Rome, the capital of Italy. The experience will immerse participants in the essence of the brand through events that combine artisanal know-how, culture and tours of historical sites.

All two references feature Panerai’s adjustable BDR buckle - PAM01363 buckle in Panerai Goldtech™ and PAM01432 in white gold - matched to the timepiece’s case for ease of wear, added security, and as an elegant finishing touch to protect the complication.

The Annual Calendar collection is a boutique exclusive.

• Radiomir Annual calendar (PAM01363)
  

Movement: Automatic mechanical, P.9010/AC calibre,16 lignes, 7.90 mm thick, 40 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc™ anti-shock device. Two barrels. 316 components
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Annual Calendar
Power Reserve: 3 days
Case: 45mm polished Panerai Goldtech™, polished Panerai Goldtech™ bezel. See-through sapphire crystal and Panerai Goldtech™ caseback. Sapphire crystal formed of corondum
Dial: Blue sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Day and date at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Months indicator on the rehaut.
Strap: Dark blue alligator strap, STD, 27/22, BDR. Polished Panerai Goldtech™ buckle.
Waterproof: 10 bars (~100 meters)

• Radiomir Annual calendar (PAM01432)

Movement: Automatic mechanical, P.9010/AC calibre,16 lignes, 7.90 mm thick, 40 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc™ anti-shock device. Two barrels. 316 components
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Annual Calendar
Power Reserve: 3 days
Case: 45mm polished Panerai Platinumtech™, polished Panerai Platinumtech™ bezel. See-through sapphire crystal and Panerai Platinumtech™ caseback. Sapphire crystal formed of corondum
Dial: Burgundy sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Day and date at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Months indicator on the rehaut.
Strap: Black alligator strap, STD, 27/22, BDR. Polished Panerai Goldtech™ buckle.
Waterproof: 10 bars (~100 meters)