For more than a century, precision instruments made by the Panerai family have been integral to the exploits of the Italian military. Guido Panerai’s Radiomir, a radium-based substance that provides visibility in the dark, was patented in 1916 after being commissioned by the Royal Italian Navy to supply high-precision instruments.
An archival receipt reveals that the Radiomir prototype was introduced in 1935. The sandwich construction has been continually modified over the years and now consists of only two superimposed plates. Other improvements include the crown-protecting device and a new luminous substance, the Luminor. The watch was exclusively produced for the military, with its designs protected by military secrets until the early 1970s.
In 1992, Officine Panerai ventured into the commercial watch market by launching three collections of ten references in limited editions, including the 44mm Luminor and Luminor Marina watches and the 42mm Mare Nostrum chronograph. The Radiomir was made public in 1997 when the Vendome Group, now the Richemont Group, acquired Panerai, and the first Vendome special edition, the PAM 21 model in a platinum version, was introduced in sixty pieces.
The acquisition propelled Panerai’s history into contemporary developments, including the reopening of the historic boutique in Piazza San Giovanni and the establishment of the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel, where fine Swiss watchmaking meets innovation driven by an Italian soul. With a century of innovative instruments developed for performance in response to evolving technical needs, Panerai is committed to 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%) from different industries, preferably from the Swiss watchmaking industry, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Additionally, the brand has partnered with the IOC-UNESCO to develop solutions with the aim of building a more sustainable, equitable society.
Debuting at Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, the Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech is the contemporary and most versatile interpretation of the Radiomir. It 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 that includes a combination of platinum and copper, giving it an intense red appearance.
Radiomir Quaranta pays homage to 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. The pared-down yet commanding presence of 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, which means 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. The watch’s case is the slimmest in the entire Panerai range, measuring 10.15mm in thickness and 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.
The watch embodies a modern aesthetic in every detail. Its cushion-shaped case is iconic, while the white sun-brushed sandwich dial only features numerals and indexes at twelve and six o’clock, reflecting light as the wearer moves. Additionally, beige Super-Luminova illuminates the dial in green during low-light conditions. The strap is interchangeable from Panerai’s extensive range of colors and finishes, such as calf for a casual look or shiny alligator versions in numerous bright shades for women. The Radiomir Quaranta Goldtech can be styled for any mood or occasion with a wide selection of straps available for purchase separately.
The watch boasts technical features such as the P.900 caliber, a next-generation automatic movement that is only 4.2mm thick. It is the first of its size from Panerai to combine the date function with three days of power reserve. The watch is water-resistant up to 3 bar (~30 meters) and will soon be available up to 5 bar (~50 meters). It also comes with a Panerai Goldtech buckle.
