The legacy of the Panerai family has been tied to creating precise instruments for the Italian military for more than a century. In 1916, Guido Panerai patented the Radiomir, which was a radium-based substance that could glow in the dark for improved visibility. Over time, the sandwich construction of the Radiomir was refined, and it was used exclusively by the military until the early 1970s.
In 1992, Officine Panerai expanded into the commercial watch market, offering three collections of limited edition watches. The Vendome Group (now Richemont Group) acquired the company in 1997, and the first Vendome special edition was introduced shortly thereafter. This acquisition has allowed Panerai to continue its legacy of innovation and develop new projects, such as eSteel™, a metal obtained from recycled steel scraps that reduces CO2 emissions, and a partnership with the IOC-UNESCO to create sustainable solutions.
One of Panerai’s newest timepieces is the Radiomir California PAM01349, which features the first-ever 45mm California dial (historically produced in 47mm) and a distinctive green color. The watch has a case made of Brunito eSteel™ and features a weathered effect created via PVD. The Super-LumiNova® highlights the California indexes, and the vintage aesthetic is enhanced by metallic blue hands and a domed sapphire crystal. The P.5000 calibre powers the watch, with an eight-day power reserve visible through the open case-back in sapphire crystal. The watch comes with a unique calf leather strap that bears the name of the original Panerai workshop in Florence.
