Officine Panerai is a world renowned manufacturer of precise and distinguished timepieces that command respect and attention in each and every model. With origins dating back to the latter half of 19th century Florence, Italy, this brand started was born as the brainchild of Giovanni Panerai, an innovative entrepreneur who was years ahead of his time. The original concept has persevered over the years, keeping the rich philosophical and life-guiding principles of the original vision intact.

Through a marriage of Italian styles and Swiss technology, the brand has dominated the timepiece industry since its inception over 140 years ago.

When Giovanni Panerai first founded the company in 1860, he did so with a focus on manufacturing discerning timekeepers, not pocket watches. As his talent and eye for pushing the boundaries of technology grew, Giovanni filed numerous patents in both the timekeeping and optics fields.

World War II saw major uptake in supply from the manufacturer as Giovanni approached the Royal Italian Navy. Radiomir watches were given to the Navy as the universal tools for keeping precise time during the war. Panerai also provided aiming sights to torpedoes. These contributions put the company’s name on the map and solidified its growing brand.

It wasn’t until 1993 that Panerai offered watches to the general public. For over 50 years the Royal Italian Navy members were the only ones offered the precision timepieces. Limited editions of the Luminor were released to the public and were immediately lauded for their ability to remain precise under all types of conditions.

In 1997 Panerai was purchased by the Richemont Group who sought to bring the brand into the modern era by expanding its products. This was of course to be done without sacrificing the values that made Panerai what it was. Today’s products, such as the Panerai Luminor 1950, are based on the original models of the Radiomir and Luminor.

After becoming part of the Richemont International SA Group, Officine Panerai manufactures its products in Neuchatel, Switzerland. When new lines are introduced, it is not uncommon for only 1,000 or less to be made. This kind of scarcity demands both respect and reverence from timepiece connoisseurs.

New innovations happen each and every day. The most recent of which is the Radiomir Composite Marina Militare P2002 47mm PAM00339. This new model is set in a cushion-shaped casing and measures 47mm in diameter. The material is formed from a cutting-edge process that involves the electrochemical ceramization of aluminum. Through this new methodology, Panerai has created a light and resistant material unknown to the world of watchmaking

The result is a timepiece with a curious dark matte finish and a level of durability not seen in many other contemporary watches.

Officine Panerai is an immortal brand that began as one man with a dream and grew into a brand that speaks to the innovation and luxury that only equal parts style and technology can provide. With exclusive models that number less than 1,000 in number, the scarcity of these incredible timepieces only lends itself to the exclusivity of such incredible pieces of craftsmanship.

For the discerning gentlemen, there is truly no better timepieces than the ones manufactured by Officine Panerai.