Officine Panerai
These watches were ultra secret as well as the subdivision for which they were designed – Gamma force – the Italian underwater task force. All countries of the world were preparing for war and Italy as well. The sea power understood that in case of a serious conflict its fleet will get blocked in the Mediterranean sea by Britain forces that had control over the Strait of Gibraltar and Suez canal.
Italy needed an absolutely new weapon to breach these defences. The Gamma force became this weapon. Its soldiers were equipped with aqualungs, little, but very powerful magnetic mines, underwater scissors that could cut a steel rope and many other powerful devices.
The task force lacked only one thing –waterproof and self-luminous timekeepers. Since the air in the aqualungs was enough for 20 minutes only, all the operations were very thoroughly planned. It is clear that the timekeepers had to be absolutely precise.
The specialists from Panerai factory in Florence developed a steel waterproof and very durable case and luminous coating for hands and dial. The company released 300 super reliable and precise watches that were equipped with Swiss movements by Rolex. Thus the world’s first dive watches were released. With help of these timekeepers Italian diversionists managed to damage or even to sink many enemy ships.
Panerai watches entered the market only in 1997, after the company joined the Richemont Group that includes such brands as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, IWC and some other haute horlogerie brands. This fact is one of the proofs of the high status of Panerai in the world of watch making. Panerai attracted the Richemont group by its exclusive watches of the highest quality.
In 2002 Panerai opened its factory in Switzerland. However, this did not influence the number of produced and bought watches. The company does not produce more than 18 000 watches a year. Officine Panerai watches are sold in only 300 stores.
It is impossible to say what Panerai watch is the best seller. All Panerai models are in high demand. The model that is produced in the biggest amount of pieces is the Luminor Marina. This series was presented in Geneva by Panerai Luminor Marina Tantalium.
The watch has a big 44 mm case that is made out of tantalum – a very rare and a very corrosion resistant metal that is used in production of surgical instruments. This certified chronometer has a 56 hour power reserve, manual winding, sapphire crystal, transparent case back and water resistance up to 300 meters. The watch comes with leather strap, a bracelet and a special screwdriver with help of which the strap can be replaced by bracelet and vice versa.
One of the most interesting Luminor Marina models is the automatic Luminor Chrono chronograph with 46 hour power reserve, tachometer scale on the bezel and screw-in steel case back. It is very difficult to create a waterproof mechanical chronograph, however, Officine Panerai met the challenges.
Luminor with second time zone and power reserve indicator is also an interesting model. The case of this steel watch is waterproof up to 300 meters. The watch has a very stylish bracelet.
In 2003 Officine Panerai released the Panerai Radiomir Chrono-Split Seconds watch that became one of the greatest events of the year. The watch was released in limited edition of only 10 pieces in platinum case with unique Venus 185 movement.
The brand has recently added some more words to its name and now it is called Officine Panerai Laboratorio di Idee.This is right because it creates truly ideal watches.
